SEARCH FOR MINERALS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29469, 22 March 1961, Page 5

SEARCH FOR MINERALS

Consolidated Zinc Team (From. Out Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 21. The mineral potential of the remote Red Hills area ot the Hollyford country, Otago, is being tested by a prospecting team from Consolidated Zinc Pty. Ltd. The area is thought to be rich in nickel, chromite and asbestos. The team is working independently of developments in the Manapouri area, where work has begun on the hydro-electric scheme to provide power for an aluminium smelter at Bluff. Government sources confirm that the prospecting team is part of the development programme set up by the corporation. Mr R. W. Willett, director of the Geological Division of the D.5.1.R., said tonight that a D.S.I.R. team has been working in the area for the last two years, mostly on a project for mapping mineral resources. The area covered by this team was at the head of the Arawata, and the mapping was a preliminary to more detailed mineral investigation. He confirmed that the D.S.I.R. team had worked with prospectors from Consolidated Zinc. The Consolidated Zinc team is setting up a camp near Lake Wilmot in Pyke valley, 30 miles from the nearest, road. The only access is by jet boat or packhorse. Mr Willett described the Red Hills area as "an ultra basic mass very rich in magnesium content.” Chromite, which is important for the production of stainless and alloy steels, may be refined with the use of large quantities of aluminium powder.