Chromite ore was first discovered in 1877 as sparse blocks on top of Tiebaghi plateau at 580 m elevation.

During a fist fight between Bergman and Petit, the director was badly injured and was sent to Nouméa for evaluation and treatment and then sent to Australia on board on a Qantas sea plane and with his new lady friend Josephine Petit.

Incidentally Mrs Petit, who was the director of the school in Tiebaghi, left behind husband and six kids ranging from the age of 5 to 15.

Mining resumed in 1982 with a new access drift, 1.2 km long, which was opened from the NE flank of the massif to reach the base of the orebody.

The Cr mine was definitively closed in 1992; however, Tiebaghi Massif is currently mined for supergene nickel ore by Societe Le Nickel (SLN), a subsidiary corporation of French firm Eramet.