About this title - New Caledonia: Geology, Geodynamic Evolution and Mineral Resources

Geological Society London Memoirs ◽

10.1144/m51 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. NP-NP

Keyword(s):

Late Cretaceous ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Geodynamic Evolution ◽

Research Papers ◽

Sw Pacific ◽

Geodynamic Models ◽

Unpublished Information

This memoir summarizes current knowledge on the geology of New Caledonia, its geodynamic evolution and mineral resources, based on published and unpublished information. It comprises ten research papers, each addressing a particular geological assemblage or topic. After an introductory chapter and a review of the published geodynamic models of evolution of the SW Pacific, Chapters 3-5 focus on the main geological assemblages of Grande Terre: the pre-Late Cretaceous basement terranes, the Late Cretaceous to Eocene cover, and the Eocene Subduction-Obduction Complex, one of the largest and best-preserved in the world. Chapter 6 is devoted to the Loyalty Islands and Ridge. Chapter 7 deals with the mostly terrestrial post-obduction units, including regolith. Chapter 8 deals with palaeobiogeography and discusses plausible scenarios of biotic evolution. Chapters 9 and 10 provide a comprehensive review of New Caledonia's mineral resources. The volume will be of interest to stratigraphers, sedimentologists, marine geologists, palaeontologists, palaeogeographers, igneous and metamorphic petrologists, geochemists, geochronologists, and specialists in tectonics, geodynamic evolution, regoliths, ophiolites and economic geology.

Chapter 1 Introduction to New Caledonia: geology, geodynamic evolution and mineral resources

Geological Society London Memoirs ◽

10.1144/m51-2019-33 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Maurizot ◽

B. Robineau ◽

M. Vendé-Leclerc ◽

D. Cluzel

Keyword(s):

New Caledonia ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Geodynamic Evolution

Chapter 10 Mineral resources and prospectivity of the ultramafic rocks of New Caledonia

Geological Society London Memoirs ◽

10.1144/m51-2016-17 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 247-277 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

P. Maurizot ◽

B. Sevin ◽

S. Lesimple ◽

L. Bailly ◽

M. Iseppi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Model ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Ultramafic Rocks ◽

Uppermost Mantle ◽

Sand Beach ◽

The Past ◽

Metallic Mineral ◽

Geomorphological Evolution ◽

Podiform Chromitite

AbstractThe main metallic mineral resources of New Caledonia are hosted by the obducted Peridotite Nappe. Ni, Co, Cr and the Pt group elements (PGEs) are specific to this ultramafic terrane. Cr, as podiform chromitite in the uppermost mantle, is the only hypogene metal mined economically in the past. The largest chromitite deposits are located in the lherzolitic Tiébaghi Massif. Supergene Ni and Co deposits are concentrated by the tropical climate that has prevailed since the Miocene. New Caledonian lateritic Ni deposits account for 10% of the global Ni resources. Hydrous Mg silicate and oxide types coexist in a single deposit. A local genetic model based on geomorphological evolution is proposed. Sc is a prospective resource associated with these supergene deposits. The PGEs are a prospective resource associated with chromite, with potential in the hypogene, supergene and fluvio-littoral domains. Pt and Pd are the most significant elements. The transition zone between the upper mantle and crustal cumulates constitutes a regional Pt–Pd-enriched horizon. The concentrations are related to small disseminated chromite lenses in a pyroxene-rich lithology. The PGEs are concentrated in weathering profiles. The value of chromite-rich sands as placers or sand beach deposits might be enhanced by the occurrences of PGEs.

New Caledonia, a land of Nickel - Research and innovation acting for the sustainable development

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-6163 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

France Bailly

Keyword(s):

Technology Development ◽

Social Issues ◽

New Caledonia ◽

New Technology ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Added Value ◽

Small Scale ◽

Cobalt Chromium ◽

Research Areas

New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, is located in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean, less than 2,000 km from both the Australian and New Zealand coasts. This small archipelago (18,575 km2) presents the third largest nickel deposit in the world and, according to recent estimates, would have more than 25% of the world's nickel resources and about 40% of the world's oxidized mineral resources, together with the presence of cobalt, chromium and manganese. The mining areas, spread over the whole &#8216;Grande Terre&#8217; (mainland), comprise about 250,000 hectares of scattered concessions shared by French and international world scale mining and metallurgic companies and a few other local small-scale miners.To face the challenges of a &#8220;better way of mining&#8221;, fit the new regulatory requirements and improve mining social acceptability, the mining sector stakeholders decided to create a dedicated resource agency devoted to applied research and technology development in New Caledonia&#8217;s mining industry. Created in 2007, this unique public and private organisation jointly involves all New Caledonian&#8217;s mining companies, political and administrative stakeholders and various scientific research bodies.Research has focused on three identified areas (technology and mineral resources, natural environment and social issues) to fill on-going gaps in fundamental knowledge, offer and adapt new technology that is relevant to the industry, develop methodology aids, manage knowledge transfer and upgrade practices on the ground. If action of CNRT has effectively added value to New Caledonian research, at the same time it permanently keeps in touch with industry.A presentation of some of the flagships scientific programs will give an overview of the main achievements in the three research areas with a focus concerning works on asbestos. CNRT started working on the environmental asbestos hazard in New Caledonia since 2010. This public health area is being examined alongside the New Caledonian Geological Survey and the various industry initiatives, such as the Inter-Mine Environmental Asbestos Committee.&#160;

Chapter 9 Mineral resources and prospectivity of non-ultramafic rocks of New Caledonia

Geological Society London Memoirs ◽

10.1144/m51-2016-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 215-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. Maurizot ◽

B. Sevin ◽

S. Lesimple ◽

J. Collot ◽

J. Jeanpert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Cretaceous ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

New Caledonia ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Massive Sulfide ◽

Ultramafic Rocks ◽

Energy Potential ◽

Metallogenic Province ◽

Metallic Mineral ◽

Host Rocks

AbstractThe mineral resources of the non-ultramafic rocks of New Caledonia and its Exclusive Economic Zone can be classified according to their host rocks. The metallic mineral resources are essentially associated with volcanic and magmatic activity. Non-economic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits with Cu and Au are located in the Late Carboniferous Koh Ophiolite and in the Late Cretaceous Poya Terrane. Base metals, Au and Ag of the sedimentary–exhalative type are present in the metamorphic Diahot-Panié Metamorphic Complex, associated with syn-rift volcanism. An Au–Sb metallogenic province is associated with the post-obduction Late Oligocene granitoids and co-genetic hydrothermal silica–carbonate (listwanite) zones in the Peridotite Nappe; Au is disseminated in the granites and Sb occurs as lodes in the silica–carbonate. Among the non-metallic mineral resources, barite, gypsum, magnesite, phosphate, clays, dimension stones, limestone for use as cement and as a neutralizer, and aggregates are all present. Gemstones such as jade and chrysoprase are only used locally. Late Cretaceous coal, which was briefly exploited in the past, is now considered to be a source rock for an offshore potential oil and gas system. Petroleum prospectivity is currently focused on the Fairway Basin. Several low-enthalpy thermo-mineral springs with a weak geothermal energy potential are known on Grande Terre.

Le développement de l'industrie du nickel et la transformation de la valeur environnementale en NouvelleCalédonie

Journal of Political Ecology ◽

10.2458/v19i1.21727 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 202 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthias Kowasch

Keyword(s):

New Caledonia ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Use Value ◽

Land Claims ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Land Conflicts ◽

The North ◽

Nickel Mining ◽

Physical Assets

Abstract:New Caledonia is characterized by cultural diversity, and human occupation of the territory is divided. A Melanesian, Kanak agrarian society (about 40% of the total population), and a largely urban society, of European and other origins (about 60%), co-inhabit a territory of approximately 19,000 km2. The duality of occupation is also shown in the juxtaposition of common and customary land laws. These are the result of a painful history of land dispossession during colonial times and restitution of some land to the Kanak from 1970. Kanak identity is built on the clan's history inscribed in a natural milieu where the environment, and land, has customary value, more than use value. New Caledonia has considerable mineral resources, especially nickel. Mining often creates conflict, as it raises the use value of land. Therefore, the establishment of a mine, refinery or industrial zone can often initiate assertions of clan ownership and land claims. Land rights are constantly updated, and can be renegotiated. The remodeling of the territory under mining pressures and new land allocations is a means for upward social mobility and prestige in Kanak society. These issues are demonstrated for the Federation "Djelawe" and two tribes (Oundjo and Baco) near the site of the future nickel ore processing plant and port (the Koniambo project) in the north of Grande Terre built by the local SMSP company and the Swiss Xstrata group. A discourse of environmental protection was used to restrain industrial activity but also to assert rights to clan land. But development pressures have also been used to achieve political control over land, and thus to increase clan recognition, and possible royalty payments. Thus, land claims are part of a game of prestige and power between clans and families. Socio-economic access to land, it emerges, is clearly more important in these cases than the protection of its bio-physical assets. Key words: New Caledonia, Kanak, land conflicts, nickel mining, regional development.Résumé:La Nouvelle-Calédonie se caractérise par une grande diversité culturelle, mais également par une dualité des espaces de vie. Une société agraire multiséculaire, d'origine kanak (environ 40% de la population totale), et une société majoritairement urbaine, d'origine européenne, mais largement métissée (environ 60% de la population totale), co-habitent sur un territoire d'environ 19,000 km2 qui possèdent des ressources minérales considérables, surtout en nickel. La dualité des espaces de vie se montre également dans la juxtaposition de terres soumises au droit commun et de terres soumises au droit coutumier. Ces dernières sont le fruit d'une histoire douloureuse de spoliations foncières lors de l'époque coloniale et de rétrocessions à partir des terres 1970. La perception territoriale de la population kanak s'oriente vers un modèle où la valeur patrimoniale prime sur la valeur d'usage, car l'identité kanak se construit sur l'histoire du groupe inscrit dans un environnement où tous les objets environnementaux possèdent une certaine valeur. La co-existence des lieux à forte valeur patrimoniale, les lieux sacrés, et une activité minière ou économique au sens large peut entraîner une transformation de la valeur et suscite souvent des conflits, car une légitimité foncière signifie un plus de prestige. De ce fait, la mise en place d'un projet économique – c'est-à-dire une mine, une usine métallurgique ou une zone industrielle – réveille souvent des revendications foncières. Ces revendications démontrent que les légitimités foncières sont en perpétuelle réactualisation et peuvent être renégociées. Le remodelage du territoire représente un moyen pour une ascension sociale au sein de la société kanak. Ces enjeux fonciers sont démontrés à l'exemple de la fédération « Djelawe » et de deux tribus (Oundjo et Baco) en proximité du site industriel de la future « usine du Nord », construite par un consortium de la SMSP locale et du groupe suisse Xstrata (projet Koniambo). Depuis un certain temps, la protection de l'environnement devient une préoccupation de plus en plus importante des acteurs locaux. Ce discours environnementaliste est cependant souvent instrumentalisé pour atteindre des objectifs « politico-fonciers »: une reconnaissance foncière et des royalties. Ainsi, les revendications foncières s'inscrivent dans un jeu de prestige et de pouvoir entre clans et familles. L'aspect socio-économique de l'environnement semble être clairement plus important que l'aspect bio-physique. Mots clés: Nouvelle-Calédonie, Kanak, les conflits fonciers, l'exploitation minière du nickel, du développement régional.