Groupe MAI, a family-owned mining group in New Caledonia
The story begins in 1956, when Jules Mai arrived from Tahiti at the Kouaoua mining centre. Seventy years on, the family group brings together three companies: MKM, a direct mining operator at Mont-Dore; SMP, operator of SLN's Poro site; and Bridgestone Pacifique Pneus, distributor of Bridgestone tyres.
Our companies
MKM — Maï Kouaoua Mines
Direct mining operator in N'Go Bay, at Mont-Dore: the Ada and Graziella mines, its own barge fleet, exports to Japan, China, Korea and Australia.
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SMP — Société Minière de Poro
Operator of SLN's Poro site since 2000 and the leading employer in the commune of Houaïlou. Certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
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Bridgestone Pacifique Pneus
Exclusive distributor of Bridgestone in New Caledonia and French Polynesia: passenger, mining and civil-engineering tyres.
Discover →Health and safety
The health and safety of our teams is a daily requirement across the group, on the mines and on the water alike.
SLN, on whose behalf SMP operates, is certified to ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety, as well as ISO 14001 for environmental management; SMP works under this coverage and upholds its standards.
This culture is built on training. As early as 2006, SMP was a partner of the graduation ceremonies at the Poro training centre: 42 machine operators graduated, 19 of them women.
News
- The Afros, the first wind-powered ore carrier chartered in New Caledonia (November 2025). MKM chartered this hybrid vessel fitted with four rotor sails, loaded in N'Go Bay. The President of the Government of New Caledonia and the mayor of Mont-Dore came to visit it.
- C'Nickel, the industry explained to all (February 2026). The Syndicat des industries de la mine (SIM), of which MKM is a member, launched the C'Nickel educational campaign on 24 February 2026: "Nickel explained simply" (cnickel.nc). Video clips, fact sheets and quizzes are online.
Our story
- Jules Mai steps ashore from Tahiti and joins the Kouaoua mining centre. He marries Émilienne Tehei Boewa, from Houaïlou. In 1984, after thirty years with the Pentecost mining group, he founds MKM (Maï Kouaoua Mines).
Around Jules and Émilienne, all the brothers and sisters take part in the venture: Wilfrid, Philippe, Noël, Graziella, Mireille, Ada and Nina. The mines of the Grand Sud bear the daughters' first names; the tugboats, those of the parents: Le Jules and L'Émilienne.
The tradition continues as the grandchildren of Jules and Émilienne join the group's companies. From the arrival of Jules Mai to the tribute to Wilfrid Mai (1961-2024), read the full saga: Our story.
