MINING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Issue 154, 2 July 1934, Page 4

MINING NEWS.

OPERATIONS IN FIJI. GOOD RESULTS Fit OH REEFS. Gold mining operations In Fiji are bring carried on with good results, according to Mr. R. J. Lemmon, a metalurgical engineer associated witli Imperial Chemical Industries. who is at present in New Zealand on a world tour. Two reefing claims are worked by an Australian concern, tlie Mount Kassi Company. One claim is situated near Suva, on Viti Lcvn, the main island of the croup, and the other property is on the island of Yanua Levu. "The company has been operating for some lime past," he said, "and, although T have not got particulars of its output, good results are being obtained."

WAIHI GRAND JUNCTION. OUTPUT FOR LAST TEAK. A total of 27.750 tons of ore was treated oji behalf of the Wailit Grand Junction Gold Company. Ltd., for the year ended December 31. 1933, according to the report of the directors presented at the annual meeting in London on May 25. The return was £13,252, compared with a return nf £12,664 from 25,475 tons in the previous year.

MURRAY CREEK OPTION. GRANTED TO ENGLISH SYNDICATE. Shareholders of Hie Mtfrray Creek Gold .Mining Company (JReefton) have unanimously approved the action of 1 lie directors in granting an option, expiring on November 2, for the sale of the company's property to an English syndicate. At the meeting, which was held in Wellington, Mr. P. \V. Manton. chairman of directors, said the proposals included the sale of the whole of the company's assets, plant and machinery for £«>,O(K>. payable one half in cash and one half in fully-paid shares in a company to be floated. Mr. \V. G. McDonald, managing director of Mining House (N.Z.), Limited. Christchurch. who attended as representative of the London purchaser, said that the proposals for the purchase of 4 fhe, property were made by a strong London mining group with ample capital to thoroughly develop the mine. The Murrav Creek Company has a capital of £3fl,nr>o, of which £27,00S was paid at October 31, 103"..

STAFFORD SLUICING RETURN. An initial wnsh-up of 11 ounces is reported by Stafford Sluicing. Limited (Knmnra). The directors and manager consider tliiH quite satisfactory. as the greater part of the time was spent in opening up the (ace. The tail race is being extended across the road, and as soon as this is completed two shifts will be worked.

COMPANY REPORTS. The contractor for the construction o£ the Maori Gully dredge,■ near Stillwater, reports under date June 27 :— "The power line to the dredge site and the workshop and workmen's lnits have been completed. All the timber for the pontoons have been delivered to the site. The screen, winch and ladder are partly built, and the pumps and electrical equipment have been shipped from Knglnnd. The buckets, tumblers, gearing and sundry machinery are due to- leave England about July 3 2." Saddle Gold Mines, Ltd.—At ihe Saddle Mines, on the Tokatca Range, mining operations are proceeding on the company's property very satisfactorily. When the tirst rich find was made, a winze was sunk to about 201't, and the quartz was typical of the Muds of this region in the "early days. The quartz, running two or three pennyweights to half-ounce to the pound, continued to the bottom of the winze. In view of this, and of the fact that the gold is finely disseminated throughout the stone, thus showing good signs of Continuity, it was decided, on the advice ot' the engineer, to put in n level which will intersect tin: reef at a depth of 94l't below the outcrop, at a point where the winze has been sunk. All necessary machinery has been installed and is now in operation.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Mnhakipa wa.—The leading face lias been advanced to 76ft south on No. 2 crosscut west, through good grade wash showing gold freely. There is 3£t o£ bottom in the face, 2ft of wash on top of this, then a layer of sandy wash 2ft thick, with gravel on top of this again. No. 3 crosscut west was driven a total of 23ft through sandy gutter wash. For the last few l'cet the bottom was dipping rapidly, and is now one foot under the floor. This face has been stopped, and a diagonal drive started from No. 2 crosscut west, to arrive at the same point, only 3ft lower down in the wash. Prospecting drive north was extended to 20ft in gutter wash on a falling bottom. The wash was of a promising appearance, but did not carry any values. This has been stopped. Prospecting drive south has been started opposite the north drive, and has advanced 12&£t on rising bottom, which is carrying a lot of silt. The intention Is to prospect on top of the terrace for a short distance. . Golconda (Thames).— During the week the following work lias been carried out: The main drive was timbered up to the face, and driving through the reef resumed, after the breakdown of the water-race. The distance now is 140 ft from the shaft. We are still in quartz, but there is a little country rock .showing on the western side of the drive, but we caunot yet tell if it is the footwall of the reef, or a horse of mullock in the reef. We appear to have cut the reef at a fairly long angle. The quartz is well mineralised, carrying iron pyrites and a little zinc blende. Some of the quartz looks very promising for making gold. Dawn of Hope (Thames).- —Driving billward has been continued on the hanging wall dropper of the Golden Age reef, the distance driven being sft, making a. total of 18ft driven in the block. We are engaged opening up liillward of that which the tributers are working. The dropper is showing a width of 9in, and at each breaking down showed fair values in the stone broken.

YIELDS OF COMPANIES. Talisman D.ubbo. —39 wet tons, equal to 34 dry tons of ore were treated at the Golden Dawn battery for an actual realisation, on 85 per cent extraction, of £220. Charleston Sluicing Co.—For fortnight ending .Tune 30, 240z 3 dwt for 21 shifts. Bell Kilgour.—l7oz Gdwt 19gs. Golden Sands (Barrytown, near Greymouth).—3soz 16dwt for 30 shifts of eight hours each. Mahakipawa (Marlborough).—For four days last week, 330z. Bell Hooper (Cromwell). —Last week, Ooz 7dwt. Brian Boru (near Greymoutli).—2loz Sdwt for 125 hours. Deep Lead (West Coast). —Q2oz for 26 shifts.