NEW CALEDONIA 
457 
The geological formation is chiefly sedimentary, 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 five 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 
from 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 
