An international military operation is underway in New Caledonia to remove hundreds of large mines left in the lagoon since the Second World War.
Experts from France, the US, Australia and New Zealand have joined the operation, dubbed Lagoon Minex, which targets the sea lanes to Noumea and Prony Bay where the Vale Inco nickel company is about to open a port.
The French military says the old mines contain up to 300 kilogrammes of explosives and could pose a risk to shipping.
Five years ago, 60 mines were neutralised in the approach to Noumea.
In 1942, the Australian ship HMAS Bungaree placed 1,900 mines in 12 locations to counter a possible enemy invasion.
Some of the mines were removed by the US military at the end of the war.
