In the name of his daughters Mining prospector, Charles Jacques Felix Metzdorf (1868-1946) travelled throughout New Caledonia to estimate the potential of the different concessions. He gave the name of his two daughters, Anna and Madeleine, to this mine, located higher up. 51 Direction of Sustainable Development of the South Province Territories I Strolling along the waterways 50 Strolling along the waterways Protected areas: the Madeleine site A unique prehistoric landscape A topographic rise located on the Lakes River, the Madeleine Falls rumble in the heart of a marshy plateau, delimited by a series of mountain ranges forming a cirque. An exceptional showcase of southern flora It is home to low shrub vegetation and several primitive conifers with tortured shapes, vestiges of the secondary era, giving this site an almost prehistoric atmosphere. The presence of a few gum oaks also testifies to the forest nature of the climax* vegetation. Thereserve, richin168plant species,demonstrates an incredible rate of endemismof around 95%. Let us cite among them: the remarkable presence of Callitris pancheri, a relict species which remains in the south of the Main Island; cork wood, growing on the bank; Dacrydium guillauminii, an extremely rare conifer. The maquis, of lateritic hydromorphic plains, represent a major challenge in terms of preservation; in fact, the latter constitute a very particular and poorly represented biotope which deserves to be preserved in the same way as forests. The conservation of these rare species is strongly dependent on the Madeleine Falls’ natural reserve: more than half of the numbers of Dracrydium guillauminii are found there, as well as several populations of Retrophyllum minus and a significant population of Callitris pancheri. Added to this extraordinary vegetation is an original aquatic group, home to a fish: the galaxias. Upstream of the waterfall, the bats (microbats) in the area come to drink and feed. A historical heritage Rumbling River Flora Sanctuary Prehistoric The Anna-Madeleine Mine This small open-air chrome mine was mined by hand at the beginning of the 20th century. It left a deep gash in the mountain. We can clearly see the location of the open-air mining and the different railway tracks on the upper floors for clearing the waste rock. The ore was lowered into the plain by an aerial cable then transported on a railway line several kilometres long. A funicular then took it to the Carénage (Fairing) Bay. ! Swimming is prohibited for the preservation of the flora *The climax designates a final, lasting, natural state (more or less theoretical) balance reached by a plant association during its evolution and in certain climatic and pedological conditions (soil). © M. Dosdane The Madeleine Falls The Anna-Madeleine Mine Botanical trail Entrance to the site
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