
Global trends and environmental issues in nickel mining ...
Mining of this lateritic Ni deposit, just north of Noumea, began in 1875 although the smelter near Noumea closed shortly after due to indigenous conflict (HowardWhite, 1963). A new smelter was built in 1880 at Thio, on the east coast, and New Caledonia quickly rose to the position of the world's largest Ni producer.