North B.H. Mining Surplus Falls

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31277, 25 January 1967, Page 17

North B.H. Mining Surplus Falls

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

SYDNEY, January 24.

The mining surplus of North Broken Hill, Ltd., fell to 3,469,000 dollars for the half-year to December 31, compared with 4,298,000 dollars for the previous corresponding period.

Production of silver lead and zinc all declined in the latest half-year. Sales of lead and silver rose, but zinc sales were down.

Prices realised for lead and zinc both fell, but prices realised for silver were steady. During the latest half-year the company produced 42,463 tons of lead concentrate (previously 47,666), containing 30,090 tons of lead (34,345). Sales of lead were 33,834 tons (28,689), at an average price of 213.78 dollars a ton (248.87 dollars). Zinc concentrate output was 43,704 tons (49,509). Sales of

zinc concentrate totalled 43,849 tons (49,656), at an average price of 255 dollars a ton (275 dollars). Silver production was 1,699,3040 z (1,890,4910 z and sales were 1,725,2650 z (1,625,3860 z Silver Price The price realised for silver was 115.72 c an oz (115.3 c Receipts from metal sales came to 9,334,000 dollars in the latest half-year (9,984,000 dollars). Expenditure at Broken Hill was 5,865,000 dollars (5,686,000 dollars) to leave the surplus of 3,469,000 dollars (4,298,000 dollars). The surplus for the latest half-year comprises 2;007,000 dollars in the September quarter and 1,462,000 dollars in the December quarter.

Production and sales of lead and zinc in the December quarter were below those of the September quarter. Lead prices fell, but zinc prices were steady. Output of silver fell but sales rose. Average realised price was slightly lower. Mining and treatment operations were suspended on December 16 for the annual Christmas holidays.