THE NICKEL MINES OF NEW CALEDONIA.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 433, 2 November 1875, Page 4

THE NICKEL MINES OF NEW CALEDONIA.

(, Sydney Morning Herald, Sept. 22.) At the request of several gentlemen interested in mineral discoveries Mr John Higginson, of Noumea, New Caledonia, threw open for inspection on Monday a large quantity of nickel ore from the celebrated Billan mine. The lot inspected is the second shipment from this mine, and consists of 150 hogsheads It seems the ore from this mine is altogether a new ore, being a very pure sample of hydrate sdicate of nickel, and, it is said, will assay a very high percentage. Mr Higginson, who is interested in a groat number of the principal mines of New Caledonia, being very much dissatisfied with the returns received from England of ore from the Mont d’ Or mines, sent home for treatment. has resolved to erect smelting works in Noumea. Commissioner Cluny, of the Mining Department in New Caledonia, has assayed a portion of the ore of the land exhibited, the publication of which is reserved until Professor Liversidge, the Rev W. B. Clarke, Dr Leibius, of the Mint, and Mr J. G. Latta have given their results. The attention of Mr Higginson, after getting assays from these gentlemen, is to have a consultation, and learn if aay difficulty really exists as to the treatment of the ore. Mr Higginson has been assured already that no difficulty exisffi, that a simple smelting process should suffice, the ingredients being silica, water nickel, with a tincture of magnesia and iron. The report received from Europe as to the consumption of the metallic nickel is very encouraging, it being much sought after in the introduction with other metals ; it is specially prized for its hardness and non-corrosive pioperties, and when brought into an oxide, it produces colours used very strongly in fireworks, and in the manufacture of French chintzes, cambrics, &c. The prices quoted in the Iron newspaper and other mining journals ranges from Us to 12s per lb, but probably that price cannot be obtained for large quantities. The proprietors of other nickel mines in New Caledonia, among whom are several New South Wales capitalists, look forward with great expectation to the enterprise of Mr Higginson in the erection of works, as they could then send home the metallic nickel and could get immediate advances either in Sydney or Melbourne. By the pre sent system of exporting the ore we learn that results cannot be obtained for at least fifteen months. It is said that there are, at most, not more than half-a-dozen nickel mines at work in the world. A large increase in the quantity produced would, of course, bring down the price; but, on the other hand, a great cheapening of the article would increase its use in manufactures. In any case these nickel mines promise to be a great source of wealth to New Caledonia, and will help to increase the trade between that colony and Sydney.