Gold dredge study

Press, 18 February 1980, Page 7

Gold dredge study

! Investigations are conj tinuing into the possibility i of a new gold-dredging i venture on the Mikonui ' River, just south of Ross, I <on the West Coast. Lime and Marble, Ltd, a i subsidiary of the T.N.L. Group, of Nelson, and the i Carpentaria Exploration ' Company, of Brisbane, a i subsidiary of Mount Isa ' Mine Holdings, began a i preliminary study on the river last October. I Mr P. Riley, mining and ■ exploration manager of I Lime and Marble,. said ■ that the investigations 1 would be complete prob- ' ably in two months. On | the basis of this, the two > companies would decide

whether to proceed with a full feasibility study. The potential for restoration of the land after mining is a main aspect of the preliminary study. Because of the depth of the gravel on the Mikonui, gold mining would require a sophisticated dredge, costing about $l2 million. Mr Riley said the attitude of local bodies, government departments, and other interested groups would • be considered before a full feasibility study was undertaken. Carpentaria Exploration has previously been involved in an evaluation of the ilmenite beach sand potential on the West Coast.