TALISMAN MINE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1356, 6 February 1912, Page 8

TALISMAN MINE.

THE RUN OF THE LODJSS. (By Tolejra.ab.-SDecla: OorrcSDondenU _„ , „ Auckland, February 5. lh? Herald" to-day nublishes nn optimistic report upon the Talisman mine Irom its special representative who recently visited Ohinemuri. The article says:- The outlook in the Talisman min? at harangahakc has probably never been so good ns it is at present. At No. 12 level good values in the main reef (the Maria) sxtend about 500 ft. in length on the Uouanza chute. At the next level below (No. 13), the run has not only extended 900 ft,, but has been carried for 300 ft. south into the Dubbo section, wh-sro previously no values have been obtained overhead, with the exception of a patch at No. 12 level. At No. 14 levsl (the present bottom workings) the run on the bonanza, ore has extended further than at the level above, added to which is the fact that, in a winze 80ft. down from No. 11 level, some of the richest ore yet won from the mine is now coming to hand." Describing the underground working, the writer goes on:—"Takine No. 13 level from the Talisman shaft it was learned that, in driving fouHi along the reef, the latter was small, and of little value for some distance. The lionanza section was them entered, and there, after driving 150 ft. south, the first of the rich pay ore, which has now been proved in a largo block, was struck. Along No. 13 level this pay ore extended for 350 ft. It then became poorer for about 100 ft., but made again at that point, and extended for a further 250 ft. that was tha end of the Bonanza ore in all its length. At Xo. 13 level it was 6Coft., and its depth has been proved for 230 ft. An important feature to note here is that, although the level itsslf passed through <i comparatively barren patch of lCOft. as stated, the values ran right through the entire distance (70ft.) in the stopes above tlvj drive, with about 3CTt. of rising. After passing out of the values in the Bonanza section pay ore was again cut in the continuation of the drive into the Dubbo section 150 ft. further south. Tlicn2 the run extended for about 80ft. Poor ore was then entered, nnd lasted for about 100 ft. when tha values came in Renin, and were this time carried for ,200 ft. , "At the time of the visit, the level had been driven about 80rt, beyond this last block, and the face was in manganese oxifcs, enca?ed in broken brown country, with tho values again gone. Stnping on good or; was proceeding on the 20Cft. block referred to, and a commencement was just being made to stope'out the BCft. block also mentioned. "Two particularly interesting facts stand out in connection with the striking of tlipse payable blocks of ore in the Dubbo section. In the first place they comprise practically the first values ever cut in that particular s?ction of the mine, except for a. patch in the level above. In the second place (and this Is of CFnecial importance in view of the current history of the Waihl rain.;) the values occur below a manganese oxide zone. In a previous article of this series it was explained that tha ctlcct of manganese oxides is to clause the gold and silver contents to migrate from one position in a reef to another. In the "Waihi mine the question now at issue is whether the manganese lias cot carried the values below. The factß now to be pivsn will show that, in the Talisman, the values have principally miprated downwards, but occasionally upwards. Incidentally it may be mon'tioned that Hie bottom level in the Waihi (No. 10) is about 750 ft. below sea Isvcl, and the no.ttoin level in tho Talisman (No. 14) nbonl 200 H. At No. 5 and i levels in the Bonanza section of the Tnlisinnn, though the reef was large, it carried a. groat deal ot manganese oxides, and the ore was consequently impoverished above tli» manganese. In No. 5 levei hish grade ore wa? taken out to within 300 ft. below tho trig. No more vnlms were got "»low tho niangnne-e in No. 6 fcvel imti! No. 8 level was reached some 300 ft. or 350 ft. deeper in the Dubbo,section. The manganese was most pronounced at No. U level, but two levels lower (at No. 13) the values have as stated, come in again.' anil'have given tlv> two sloping blocks of good ore described as being in band. Those blocks contnin highly payable values running tin for 140 ft. in what is known as No. 16 risc T . "No doubt can exist, therefore, that the occurrence of manganese oxides—at any rate in the Talisman mine—has resulted in the values being transferred both downwards nnd upwards. As a matter of fact the manasßr is confident thnt tho present section of tho south face in the Dubbo section at No. 13 level will carry forward through tne manganese zone, which it has now encountered, and ;nter values again This has happened in other levels. "Tho continuation of the run of pay oro in the Bonanza fcction was followed bv the wvi!,?r from No. 13 level downwards towards the south end of the chute. No. 12 winze traverses the lode down for 150 ft. to No. 14 level. Here, in driving south values bans been maintained for some distance . beyond where they ran out in the level above, and, in driving north, thev have been carried right along (with poorer values in one stretch o[ 100 ft.) to No. 6 winze sunk from No. 13 to 14 levels. On tho northern end of the payable run in this winza, a# in No. 12 and No. 15 (at. the south end of the rich run at No. 13 level) the ore is highly payable ri"ht. down to No. 14 level. North of No 6 winze at Nn. 14 level the drive has b°onprojected 240 ft. in good ore all the w-iv and the face, at the time nf the visit. w:'is penetrating tlw Woodstock Fault, which heaves the lode out of its,course a little to the west. In this section, :-.t the level above, the 0r,5 was low gnde, but, at No. 14 level, it is high grade. The only development of the area below Jvo. 14 level is taking plr.ee in No. 12 winze. This has bfen siinli in hieh grade sulphide ore about 3ft. 6in. wide in the bottom. The latest announced average value nf this ore was over £18 per ton, and a 6in. vnin on the Imngins: wall contains very high valrws. If anything, the Inde in this No. 12 winze (now down 230 ft. measuring from No. 13 level) anpcfirs to be improving both in size and in values. This is a good augury for No. 15 level when it comes to be opened up, and is a distinct Encouragement to the company to prosecute work at a greater depth as they intend to do." .Summing up, the article conclude?-—"lt lias now been proved that, with denth, tho nay chutes in tl-.3 Talisman are cstcndiii" in length both north and south, and. on t.Vicir downv.nrd trend, arc carrying a higher percentage of gold and a lesserpereentage of silver. In other words, it Ins been a stconily-improving mino ift tho last two or three lnvel?. At the north end of the rvropp.rtv tho Woodstork ehatt is down 250 ft. to No. 6 Woodstock level. "Tenders are about to be called for the sinking of this shaft a further 250 ft.. which will connect it with the Talisman No. 14 level. When this connection lias been effected, the comnany will be in a position to explore all the Woodstock chute of ore in that section back south to tho Tslismnn nrea, and northwards into the T.iiiknni Hill, where known rests cxi c * awaiting development. "With this prospect before them—with the proved big Mod: of high gradn o'o tn lo worked out between No'. 13 and No. 15 level in flip Konnnzn snetimi, and with the. occurrence of values in the Dubbo section, the Talisninn Company may reasonably claim to be in a soniid position to-day with a good lease of life ah?ad."