Caledonia Minerals
p. 159 · Read in the full issue
NZ Interest in New Caledonia Minerals
iFrom Our Noumea Correspondent TEW CALEDONIA’S mineral I riches are attracting inter [ national interest.
After Falconbridge (Canada) had ited its intention to mine various [tals here after receiving per ssion from the French Govern snt, New Zealand is also showing ■ interest in her neighbour.
Jn a recent visit here was a group New Zealanders led by Mr, tchell, of British and American stiles. Others in this group were : mining contractor and an pneering contractor.
Phis group’s visit was in order to et Edward Griffiths, the “iron” n of New Caledonia, and to in ct his holdings. ?he mineral potentialities of the mtry they found to be most im ssive, especially the iron deposits the Plain of the Lakes and at ro where, before the war, a irerful Japanese company mined i ore. he group has now returned to v Zealand to explore and study question of operating in New edonia. ; is thought that every facility be given the group by the NC ernment if a decision to mine b is decided on. ust what metal the New landers would mine is not nitely known. They are in sted in iron and also in chrome, jcially chrome sands (chromite), is thought that the group would whatever ore is mined to who ■ would offer the best price. It ; not seem likely that iron ore ny quantity could enter into the economy at the present time, as Australian BHP is interested New Caledonian iron, having ;racted for some 160 thousand per year, the next best customer the New Zealand miners would i to be Japan. This country aking large quantities of New donian nickel ore (3.50 per .) and is also known to be in 5ted in chrome ore. ineral development of any sort only be to the good of New donia and any large develop t of the iron deposits is to be omed. The quantities existin'? almost everlasting and it will another string to New donia’s economic bow. ’. John Pimcetich, who is deputy :tor of public relations for the •on Navigation- Company, of nca, has been making an ex ve tour of the South Pacific, calls at Tahiti, Fiji, Australia New Zealand. The visit is con !d with preparations for the re- T of the Matson ships to the luled trans-Pacific services.