QUICKSILVER MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 290, 4 December 1920, Page 13

QUICKSILVER MINES.

• i The secretary reports that "up to date the total amount of ore treated was 1442 tons, included in this was about i 300 of broken rock of small value, but ' j which had to be used in order to treat j the richer fine ore without which it ! clogs in the furnace and prevents con- ' densation. This 1442 tons produced 419 flasks of quicksilver or 14 tons weight of mercury, which was sold for £8220—equal to a saving of over £5 15/ per ton, taken over the whole of the ore treated, but if the actual quantity of ore bearing rock only was taken, it • would average £7 4/ per ton. The amount expended in development, equip- ! ment and-working expenses was £14,000, j of which the mine produced 60 per cent, and this, with what is practically a J prospecting furnace that cannot save j anything like the values contained in !'■ the" ore. The Government has been approached with the view of advancing £1000 under the conditions laid down in ! Section 396 of the Mining Act, to be spent in development only, and a commission is sitting to hear the applica- , tion on Monday, December 0 at Whan- ; garei. An application has also been , made under Section 350, Clause B, for , a loan for procuring machinery, working plant, etc., and this will be dealt with after the Government officials , certify that they are of opinion that operations are likely to be remunerative. . , The Government drill has been working on the property, and the six drills put down have proved the existence of the ' lode formation for a considerable disj tancc, and in one bore two separate I lode formations carrying rich ore have j been struck. The Government inspecting ,\ engineer has located the position for two further bores, and these are now in i hand.