GOLD MINING

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 6

GOLD MINING

"MOST ATTRACTIVE" UNDERTAKING. (To the Editor.) ' Mr »*' I agree with most of the statements in the letten of '"Old Prospector." His deductions, however, may readily be subjected to modifications. While having an abounding faith in the gold-mining industry as the present anfl possibly future salvation of the country, we. must all realise that conditions have changed in the intervening years. Narrowing the field to our own Hauraki Peninsula, abnormally rich in auriferous deposits, it is beyond question that the majority of the surface, or near surface, bonanza deposits have 'been located. This does not disprove the statement of wise old miners that the field as yet has only been "scratched." The old hands mined well and followed the rich leads, as was their mission, in a thoroughly practical manner. They did not find them all, of course, and in their efforts left behind, knowingly and unknowingly, many prospects that no doubt are thoroughly worthy of exploitation. Gold mining to-day in practically all gold-producing countries is chiefly devoted to the development of low-grade or moderate grade ores, and is essentially a specialised industrial undertaking. At the present price of gold, it is the most attractive industrial undertaking in the world. We have the opportunity practically at our door to take advantage of prevailing conditions. The wildcat hit or miss proposition need not be considered unless a real gamble is preferred to a thoroughly tested one. From my own knowledge of over forty years' prospecting and working on the peninsula there are numbers of sound prospects -worthy of consideration. The success of only a very few would do much to solve the unemployment problem and relieve the depression of this country. Success in. sufficient instances can be assured by efficient testing involving comparatively little expenditure, and to my knowledge tests in several instances have_ already been made by com--petent present-day miners. Puketui, Thames. . J. D. COLLINS,