EXTENSIVE MINERAL INVESTIGATIONS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 18

EXTENSIVE MINERAL INVESTIGATIONS

\ (From Our Own Reporter) \ WELLINGTON, July 10. ' South Island mineral resources are prominent in enterprises named tonight by the chairman of the National Development Conference Minerals Committee (Mr R. C. Bradshaw).

“The offer of taxation concessions to industries—similar to those offered the aluminium smelter—which can meet certain criteria and which are involved in mineral processing to the primary metal stage, will be of considerable significance in the development of indigenous mineral resources,” Mr Bradshaw said. He cited as indications of his claim that prospecting activity was at record level the following examples: (1) Two oil companies will drill for oil in favourable areas offshore in Taranaki, the first drilling being scheduled for later this year.

(2) Prospecting is proceeding into the new nickel discovery in Nelson. (3) First production from the ironsand-based steel industry in South Auckland is expected next year, and nowhere else in the world are the principal raw materials—iron ore, coal and limestone—so close to fresh water, a port and major markets. (4) A New Zealand company is well advanced in investigations into the production of ilmenite, or a more highly processed product, from South Island blacksand near Westport. (5) New prospecting ventures have been announced into scheelite deposits at Glenorchy in Otago, and silver in Coromandel. (6) Another New Zealand company has announced plans for processing bentonite in Canterbury.

(7) New Zealand’s first leadzinc mine began production at Te Aroha last year, and has shown the possible potential of other Coromandel base metal deposits. (8) Other New Zealand and overseas companies are searching for a wide variety of minerals such as gold, uranium, copper, molybdenum and sulphur, phosphate, heavy minerals, oil and gas. (9) Some are seeking ways by which known New Zealand minerals such as Nelson dolomite, North Island pumice, and silica sands and clays in both islands can be processed to assist the export drive. Six Parties

The Minerals Committee has set up six working parties, covering the important fields of mineral resources, prospecting and exploration, mining and processing, legislation, finance, and manpower and education, with personnel drawn from mineral prospecting, oil and finance companies, from universities and from government.

The working parties are due to report to the parent committee by mid-August.

The committee’s main task is to report on the ways in which New Zealand’s known and probable mineral resources can increase overseas exchange. The major resources will be reviewed, as will the chances of increased prospecting.