History
The idea of a “nickel hub” in New Caledonia dates back fifteen years and was initiated by the mining profession. In 1999, the Minister in charge of Research, Mr. Claude Allègre, officially took up this idea and offered to support it scientifically.
In July 2003, the President of the Republic Mr. Jacques Chirac mentioned it during his visit to New Caledonia. On the occasion of the research conference in 2004, the Minister in charge of Research, François D'Aubert announced the forthcoming creation of a National Center for Technological Research (CNRT) on “Nickel and its environment”.
It was not until October 10, 2007 that the decision to create the CNRT was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic. The constituent agreement was signed on October 12, 2007 by the 15 founding members in Noumea, in the presence of the Secretary of State for Overseas Territories, Christian Estrosi.
In early 2008, the “CNRT Nickel and its environment” GIP became an operational support tool for fundamental and applied research, in 3 complementary thematic areas: Nickel and Technology, Nickel and Society, and Nickel and Natural Environment.
Objectives and Mission
The purpose of the "CNRT Nickel and its environment" GIP is to pool and manage resources to carry out research or technological development programs, for the sustainable exploitation of mining resources compatible with the preservation of the natural and human environment. of New Caledonia.
In the tradition of the CNRTs , this group aims to improve the competitiveness of companies through better scientific knowledge of nickel resources, and the impact of mining and metallurgical activities on populations, natural environments, and life. economy of New Caledonia.
Achieving this objective requires relevant identification of important or priority basic, applied and technological research issues, in order to define a concerted and consensual scientific program.
The scientific program:
In order to promote mining activity while conserving an exceptional natural heritage and a quality of the environment compatible with sustainable and inclusive economic development, a scientific response must be provided, through applied research with a strong capacity for transfer and training, at the request of knowledge and expertise of the political and economic leaders of the territory, the provinces and the mining companies.
In a consensual approach, calls for projects are and will be defined in the 3 complementary thematic axes which are “Nickel and technology”, “Nickel and society” and “Nickel and natural environment”.
It is also planned to develop a “computer portal” tool pooling all the data relating to nickel ores and to these various scientific works.
The IT portal:
The CNRT portal is intended as a communication tool between the CNRT resource center and its partners. The demand for modernization of methods for sharing and disseminating available information is becoming more and more pressing and the need for interoperability is becoming a major issue. The goal is to eventually propose a catalog(s) of data allowing the entire community to be informed of studies, research and achievements concerning Nickel and its environment.