OPEN-CAST MINING

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 6, 2 October 1944, Page 4

OPEN-CAST MINING

Parliamentary Party’s Inspection

MR. FRASER IMPRESSED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 1. To study the possibilities of coal development in the Waikato by open-cast methods, a Parliamentary party headed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, and the Minister of Education, Mr. Mason, spent most of the day on Saturday .in the Huntly, Glen Afton 'and Glen Massey districts. The Prime Minister expressed himself as being most favourably impressed by areas being developed. The party first travelled to Glen Massey, where work was proceeding on a new open-east area covering 53 acres. The block has deposits of coal estimated at 480,000 tons. After further stops at Glen Afton and Rotowaro, where the Prime Minister spoke briefly and received deputations, the party was entertained to lunch at Huntly by the mayor, Mr. G. Smith, and councillors. Before leaving Huntly the Prime Minister was accorded a civic reception. The party then proceeded to Lake Kimihia, about two miles from Huntly, where a demonstra tion of open-cast mining was given in.an area of 12 acres which is now being worked.

The area is a coal cap situated on a hillside and about 300 tons of coal are being won daily, the day’s record being 350 tons. A total of 12,000 tons already has been taken from this area, which is estimated to contain between 50,000 and 60,000 tons. Other areas nearby are awaitin'- development, one smaller cap containing between 10,000 and 20,000 tons. A third area is estimated to contain 400,000 tons. Mr. Fraser’s Comment. Though there might still be difficulties and shortages of gas-producing coal in New Zealand, the development of opencast mines had a wonderful future, said Mr. Fraser at the conclusion of the inBl) “Beca'use of the war large quantities of coal which New Zealand used to import from Australia are not now available and it has been necessary to explore every possible avenue to increase the Dominion’s coal production,” said Mr. Eraser. “From what I have seen, today 1 feel that the optimism of the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, regarding open-cast mining is fully justified. The future of this important industry is assured. ‘•Some of our gas-produeing machinery is out-of-date and we are labouring under great difficulties as we are unable to obtain the most modern equipment. At present coal mining is a key industry to New Zealand and it eannot remain the source of contention between employers and employees that it has been in the past. Ways must be found of overcoming these differences of opinion.’ That as a result of the development of open-cast mining the public could be assured of a plentiful supply of coal m the near future was expressed by Mr. Webb. Eight areas were now producing good coal under the open-cast method. STOCKTON AGREEMENT (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) 1 y WESTPORT, October 1. An agreement was reached last week when' a deputation of miners’ representatives from Buller went to Wellington to wait on the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser. It was decided, that the element of private enterprise in the Stockton State mine open-cast workings be eliminated Downer and Co. to cease to function as contractors at Stockton. Mr. Downer himself will be overseer and engineer in charge of the work, but his employees will be drawn into the miners’ organizations. It is expected that an agreement will be drawn up within two weeks, which will provide for their transfer to the miners’ unions. Further, it is expected that, as the open-cast workings are developed, miners will be absorbed from the underground mine. STATE CONTROL AT MOSSBANK (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, October 1. One week after receiving dismissal notices, 53 employees of the Mdssbank Coal Company’s mine will resume work under Government control tomorrow. The daily output of the mine is about 130 tons. • . The following telegram was received yesterday by the secretary of the Nightcaps Miners’ Union, Mr. E. W. Hunt, from Mr. A. V. Prendiville, a member of the -Coal Mines Council: “After considering the position the State has agreed to open the Mossbank mine.on Monday. I trust the men will get in behind them and make this venture a success.”