Origin and Composition of Ferromanganese Deposits of New Caledonia Exclusive Economic Zone

Located in the South-West Pacific, at northern extremity of mostly submerged Zealandia continent, New Caledonian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1,470,000 km² and includes basins, ridges seamounts where abundant ferromanganese crusts have been observed. Several investigations conducted since 1970s on nature composition from Caledonia’s ridges, but none covered entire EEZ. We present data 104 collected EEZ during twelve oceanographic cruises between 1974 2019. Samples were analysed for mineralogy, geochemical compositions, growth rates, through a statistical approach using correlation coefficients factor analysis. Crust thicknesses range 1 mm to 115 mm, with rates 0.45 mm/Ma 102 mm/Ma. Based textures, structures, discrimination plots, we distinguish group hydrogenetic containing highest mean contents Co (0.42 wt%), Ni (0.31 high Mo, V, W, Pb, Zn, Nb, hydrothermal and/or diagenetic deposits showing Mn (38.17 Ba (0.56 wt%) low other trace metals. samples this later exceptionally content (0.7 wt%). The shows that southern part EEZ, notably Loyalty Ridge Lord Howe Rise, mineral potential prospectivity owing valuable metals, constitute great target further investigation.