It is reported that the nickel miner Vale, has suspended operations in New Caledonia due to a effluent pipe damage. The effluent pipe leads through a lagoon of a World Heritage site and it caused Vale to half its production at its five billion US dollar plant because of the damage. The pipe is reported to be less than a meter in diameter and 23 kilometers long. It leads to the open sea to discharge mine effluent. Vale was reported saying the incident has not caused any damage to the environment. In 2012, Vale was fined over an acid spill at its plant 4 years ago.