A significant amount of the world’s nickel production comes from New Caledonia, a French island located in the South Pacific Ocean. New Caledonia is on of the top five producers in the world, with more than 90 percent of the island’s exports being metallurgical goods. There are several mines and mining companies operating in this region. The mining industry in New Caledonia provides a large number of jobs to the local population both directly at the mine and indirectly through administrative positions and mining contractors. The mining companies also provide to the community, investing in both sustainability and local cultures. There are preservation efforts for the indigenous languages in New Caledonia, to both teach interested students and ensure that the languages are documented and kept. Numerous conservation groups, local tribes and government organizations ensure the preservation of the rich marine ecosystem.
In 2008, UNESCO added the Lagoons of New Caledonia to the World Heritage Site list. The reef systems in the area are among the three largest in the world and rival the Great Barrier Reef in coral and fish species diversity. There are serious conservation efforts in place to maintain their condition, and all fishing and mining activities are strictly watched in order to minimize their impact.
