BENTONITE “PROMISING”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30121, 3 May 1963, Page 13

BENTONITE “PROMISING”

Tests In N.Z. , And Overseas

Canterbury bentonite was proving satisfactory in oity foundries, and samples had been sent for trial in foundries overseas. Mr R. C. Dunn, governing director of Canterbury Mineral Mines, Ltd., said yesterday. Processing was being carried out. for the company on a pilot scale by New Zealand Lime and' Marble, Ltd., and tests on the material were being made by the Dominion Laboratory, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Work was also proceeding on the conversion of the bentonite into a form suitable for use in oildrilling, and there was every hope of finding, a commercially - feasible process. Mr Dunn said. An all-weather road is under construction from the Coalgate-Hororata highway near the Selwyn river bridge, a quarter of a mile into the Harper Hills to the mining site. Plans ware being made. Mr Dunn said, for deepdrilling of the deposit in the next month or two to prove its extent. In its field operations, the company had much help from the Mines Department and the Geological Survey, D.S.I.R. “The keyword is still ‘caution,’ but things are beginning to look promising,” Mr Dunn concluded.