Woodsreef's asbestos mine opened

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32892, 15 April 1972, Page 19

Woodsreef's asbestos mine opened

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) SYDNEY, April, 14. The premier of New South Wales (Sir Robert Askin) officially opened the first new major mine in the State since 1965. It is the $17.9 million chrysotile asbestos mine and mill at Barbara. The Barbara project, owned

by Woodsreef Mines, Ltd., is Australia’s first full scale chrysotile asbestos operation. Already 60 per cent of the mill’s production has been ordered by Marubeni Corporation, of Japan, in contracts extending to 1976. First shipments of the 40,000 tons first year’s commitment to Japan have already been dispatched by container vessel. Proven reserves at Barraba are estimated to be 27 million tons, and potential reserves in the northern extension of the ore body are believed to be a minimum of 25 million tons and could be as high as 60 million tons, according to the miners. The life of the mine, based on known reserves, is calculated at 19 years. Woodsreef said the plant is geared to produce 70,000 tons of fibre a year, but when demand warrants, the tonnage could be doubled for an additional expenditure of about $6 million.