geology

The deposit on the Goro Plateau in New Caledonia is a classic deposit in its composition, that is, it comprises iron oxides on the surface (laterites) and magnesium silicates beneath (saprolite). The nickel and cobalt contained therein result from chemical concentrations within this residual formation. Of the world’s laterite deposits, this has one of the highest nickel contents.

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process :

hydrometallurgy

The process to be used to extract nickel and cobalt is hydrometallurgy, the only technology offering a profitable method of processing the until now unexploited Goro Plateau laterite, which has a low nickel content. So thanks to this unique process, developed by Inco, the Grand Sud resource has become valuable.

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