NEW CALEDONIA 457 



The geological formation is chiefly secliinentary, con- 

 sisting of schists, limestones, serpentine, and gneiss, with 

 ancient plutonic rocks. The metals are numerous, and in 

 many cases of widespread occurrence, and it is probable 

 that further exploration will show that in this respect a 

 promising future is in store for the colony. Gold, anti- 

 mony, mercury, silver, lead, copper, nickel, cobalt, and 

 chrome have all been obtained, as well as coal of various 

 kinds. Of the metals named, the Ave last alone occupy 

 an important position on the list of exports. Gold has 

 been found in many places, but as yet nowhere in 

 quantity except on the left bank of the Diahot river, 

 whence from 1871-75 about £30,000 was obtained. 

 Near the same locality lead occurs, and antimony was 

 worked for some time at Nakety near Kanala on the 

 north-east coast. The copper mines of most importance 

 were at Balade, near the Diahot river, where more than 

 50,000 tons of very rich ore were raised, but they were 

 given up in 1884. Much copper is, however, produced 

 irom the smelting works at Pam. In 1890 the mining 

 of the silver lead ores was energetically resumed. The 

 nickel deposits are of especial value, as the metal is 

 almost everywhere else found in small quantities, there 

 being but few places in the world where it can be 

 worked with profit. The most important mines are 

 those of Kanala and Ballarod, and the smelting furnaces 

 of Thio have lately been in great activity. The coal-beds 

 are believed to occupy a. very large area. Of late the 

 Government has charged itself with their exploration, and 

 they are about to be worked ; but hitherto they have pro- 

 duced nothing for want of capital and proper labour. It 

 is estimated that the coal, which is said to be of good 

 quality, can be sold at Noumea for as low a price as 

 12s. per ton. The official report for 1891 gives the 



