PLATINUM DISCOVERY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 82, 5 January 1928, Page 9

PLATINUM DISCOVERY

IN SIERRA LEONE WIDESPREAD DEPOSITS Rugby, January 3. The Colonial Office announces that platinum has been discovered in Sierra Leone. It was first found in May, 1926, by the Director of Geological Survey, Major Junner, and a recent investigation by him indicates that the platinum bearing area is- about 40 square miles in extent, and . that the deposits, which are alluvial, are likely to be of considerable importance. One nugget of platinum 7.4 grammes, or 4| pennyweights, was found by Major Junnef. This nugget and some of the smaller grains of platinum have been presented to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. An analysis of the platinum made by the Imperial Institute shows that it compares very favourably in composition with platinum from the Urals and South Africa. The platinum in Sierra Leone is associated with basic igneous rocks, resembling those of the bush veld igneous complex of South Africa,. in which important deposits of platinum metals have been found. Detailed information regarding the. locality, of the platinum discoveries will be given to anv firm or persons who can satisfy the Sierra Leone Government regarding their financial standing and their bona-fide intention and capacity to undertake mining operations in the event of these being likely to prove profitable. The Sierra Leone Government, however, reserves the power to limit the number of prospecting rights, issued in respect of this locality.—British Official Wireless.