[?l Keeps
pp. 135-136 · Read in the full issue
Inc Boom
Tinues
[?l Keeps [?] Prosperous
3 to a world shortage of linerals that New Caledonia an produce, 1956 was, in this erous French Colony, a year reat mining activity par rly in respect of nickel; irome and iron production was satisfactory. itracy* to the two previous last year’s efforts were con ated mainly in exporting ore ) 1954 and 1955 were devoted y to production of ore for ing at Noumea. Production 3 from the mines more than ed in 1956. ! increase in production is due le world shortage of nickel, Japan in particular clamour ar ore; another factor of the it is that poorer ores are in ad. Ore with 21 per cent, is now finding a ready market, i, especially, is taking this type b of production of the ore has with the introduction of mlcal extraction and loading, azers and power shovels have eplaced coloured labour using and shovel. well as Japan, Francs, Aus and Germany are well in the :t to the great benefit of New ania.
Nickel Company’s big mines io, on the East coast, regist normal production for 1956. ;h the smelters at Noumea )ed less than usual, a con ble amount of ore was ex-
Smaller mines in this area have been opened, too. The market for lew-grade ores has resulted in the reopening of mines that have been abandoned for years.
As nickel is always surface-mined n New Caledonia, little capital is needed to re-open these old mines.
Even in the neighourhood of Noumea, this activity is evident.
Several old mines are now in pro duction, including one near the mission village of St. Louis, which was run pre-war by Krupps. It is now run by the Pentecote interests.
The chrome situation improved
a little during 1956. The big Ameri can controlled company, Tiebaghi, exported slightly more than the previous year and the price also firmed. Most of the Chrome goes to the dollar zone;; it brought in 12 million francs (£84,000).
In 1956 the first iron ore was exported from New Caledonia to Australia. Over 21,000 tons were ex ported from Prony Bay, carried in the Nickel Co. ships going to Port Kembla and Newcastle for coal and coke. Production for this year is expected to be greater.
At the smelters, big improvements
and additions have been made to nlant A huge steel stock hanger gS been built Travelling belts will carrv the ore from the ships straight to this hangar, where it is prepared for the furnaces by a P r ocess known as “fritage”: Coke is added to the ore, which is heated on its way to the furnaces.
Improvements in this process have resulted in a noticeable lessening of smoke over the town of Noumea.
A fourth water jacket furnace has been installed and will soon be in action. The addition of this furnace will greatly increase the smelters output.
Mr. C. R. H. Nott, QBE who has been British Consul in Tonga for some three years,, and who is now on leave, will take the post of Secretary for Fijian Affairs towards the end of this year, when he re turns from Europe. He was formerly well known in Fiji as a District Commissioner. Mr. G. K. Roth, QBE, the present Secretary for Fijian Affairs, goes on leave in September, and then retires from the British Colonial Service. t Pan American Airways continues to find calls at Pago Pago profitable. The Company has in creased flights from Nadi, Fiji, to Tafuna, in American Samoa, to bi weekly frequency. May flights occur on the 2nd, 16th and 28th.
t Police in Lae, New Guinea, con ducted a blitz on traffic offenders in March. Of a total of 22 offenders charged with breaches only one case was discharged. Charges included eight accidents, two of driving under
the influence of liquor, thru negligent driving, and two ofh mg without a licence. A stas: shuffle has enabled one offidl devote his time almost entini traffic duty.