“We take on our role so that the employees of the northern plants have the opportunity to get back on their feet,” assures Alexandre Rousseau, vice president of KNS.

this Mass layoffs North Factory starts. 1,200 employment contracts must be terminated by August 31. Threat looms over the factory Falling asleep In February, a six-month wait for a buyer. The day after the announcement, a Q&A with Alexandre Rousseau, KNS vice president in charge of human resources.

• You parted ways with almost all of your employees at the end of August for financial reasons. Was it because you couldn’t find a buyer that forced you to make this decision?

We did not necessarily decide to do this, we were forced to do it. Not only is the search for a buyer continuing, but the lack of visibility on the possibility of funding for the heat meter repairs after August 31st has forced us to implement economic measures for this layoff phase.

• You announced that 50 of your 1,200 employees will remain on site, who are they and what will they do?

About fifty employees are still needed to protect the site. Being able to meet regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring, and checking the safety of the site are mainly the missions left to the fifty people who remain.

• Three groups are interested in taking over the Northern plant, but this has not yet materialized. No final offer: What are the main obstacles?

I think one of the biggest obstacles is the time we have to do this. These operations require a long period of study. We have been very satisfied with our shareholders and have attracted interest from three major groups. But our timeline is very short.

• What happened from February to today (when the factory shutdown began)?

Many steps. First, maintaining the integrity of all the equipment and improving the industrial aspects of the site. As for our shareholders and the groups that helped find these buyers, there has been a lot of information exchange during this period. Today we were able to reach the second stage of the process of Glencore’s stake in Corning Nickel, allowing the negotiations to be finalized.

• Before the suspension, Glencore said its business was unprofitable, it had debts of 13.5 billion euros and the nickel industry was almost bankrupt. Given the difficulties caused by the unrest, is it possible to find a buyer?

Yes, I believe it very much. We are even encouraged because there are indeed many external factors that affect the balance. The nickel industry in the world today is uneven and difficult. But the fact that the three international groups continue to have discussions shows that Koniambo Nickel still shows strong interest in buyers.

• What will happen to the employees affected by the termination of their contracts at the end of August?

This is an issue we are preparing for as early as possible. We have been preparing for almost ten months. We try to equip our employees for all eventualities. Whether it is through negotiations with our social partners, achieving extra-legal compensation. We are taking all measures that allow reclassification or retraining. We take on our role so that our employees have the opportunity to make a comeback.

• What happens to the factory if there are no buyers?

What is important is that the North Plant still has advantages. We have a mountain with inestimable value and important life. We have industrial facilities with a strategic location, a deep-water port, and most importantly, well-trained human resources. And we have reached the height of international industrial standards. I want to pay tribute to the important work done by the team.

Looking back at the extraordinary history of the Nord plant, this landmark rebalancing project in partnership with Charlotte Mannevy: