MINISTERIAL VISIT AT PRONY RESOURCES

Prony Resources had the immense honor to welcome to its industrial site, Mr. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior. Their visit was part of the discussions on the institutional future as well as on the future of the New Caledonian nickel sector. The visit began with a welcome custom in the presence of the customary authorities of the Grand Sud, followed by a visit to LUCY and the former Belvédère. On this occasion, the general management was able to present the current industrial situation of the southern plant. This visit was an opportunity to reaffirm the decisive role that Prony Resources could play, especially in France's reindustrialization strategy. Following their visit to the 3 New Caledonian plants, Minister Bruno Le Maire mentioned a "negotiation framework" that should lead to a "global agreement". The pact for New Caledonian nickel would involve three aspects:

1) Exploitation and exportation: "essential condition for the immediate financial profitability of the three industrial sites";

2) Energy restructuring: "the State is ready to take its full part alongside the New Caledonian authorities provided it is based on a profitable project";

3) New economic outlets towards Europe, where the construction of electric and hybrid vehicles requires a supply of this ore.