Economy of New Caledonia

The GDP of New Caledonia in 2007 was 8.8 billion US dollars at market exchange rates, the fourth-largest economy in Oceania after Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. The GDP per capita was 36,376 US dollars in 2007 (at market exchange rates, not at PPP), lower than in Australia and Hawaii, but higher than in New Zealand.

In 2007, exports from New Caledonia amounted to 2.11 billion US dollars, 96.3% of which were mineral products and alloys (essentially nickel ore and ferronickel). Imports amounted to 2.88 billion US dollars. 26.6% of imports came from Metropolitan France, 16.1% from other European countries, 13.6% from Singapore (mostly fuel), 10.7% from Australia, 4.0% from New Zealand, 3.2% from the United States, 3.0% from China, 3.0% from Japan, and 22.7% from other countries.

Mining

New Caledonia's industry is largely centered around its nickel mining operations, accounting for roughly 20% of employment. Roughly 7% of the world's nickel reserves are held on the island, which is the world's fourth largest producer of nickel. Mines in the north are largely owned by the Kanak collective Sofinor, while the large Goro mine and processing plant in the south, previously solely operated by Vale, has been sold to Prony Resources, a consortium owned by Vale (50%), Trafigura (25%) and other unidentified private investors (25%), in April 2021.