MINING NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 20, 24 July 1933, Page 10

MINING NEWS

ALEXANDER REPORT

(By relepraph.— I'rew Association.) GREYMOUTH, This Day. Brian Boru dredge return for last week was 320z for 82 hours' work.

Directors of Alexander Mines, Ltd., Reeiton, report for the year ended May 31 that mining and ore extraction during the whole of the year have been confined to the MeVicar Reef section. This -section has shown considerable faulting, and the location of the ore body after faulting occurred has proved a most difficult problem. It was realised the amount of 01-3 available to be extracted in this bltfck was almost depleted, but quite recently a most satisfactory development occurred in No. 3 level north in a cross-cut drivei. out in an easterly direction from a point 382 ft north of the main cross-cut. After driving 12ft, stone 3ft in width was exposed, and has beeri driven on to date for a lengtii of 78ft-. This ore body is lengthening fast going northwards, and may pass overhead of the prospecting- previously carried out in the north. The lode is improving very fast, and shows an average width overhead of 6ft. The second stope over the level has exposed reef 6ft to Bft wide. The ore from this lode is very clean and free from country rock. Assay values are 172s lOd over 45in wide of reef. The value of gold he^e is taken at standard. The mine manager reports this is the most promising development that has occurred in the mine for some time, and the ore body is opening up well. Every effort is being made to trace the continuation of the lode down to new No. 4 level. A contract has just been let for driving this level north 200 ft, and work is being carried on with three shifts.

Considerable attention has been given T.o the gold-saving methods in the battery. Reorganisation and alterations to the amalgamating tables have been effected, resulting in improved extraction, and also improvements were made in the treatment of sands at the cyanide plant. Results have been satisfactory, so much so that recent figures show the sands, after leaving the cyanide plant, contain the low values of only 4s 2d .per ton. The concentrates saved by the AVilfley tables are 'very valuable, carrying values ranging from £37 to £45 per ton. The percentage saved per 100 tons of ore crushed is 1.54 per cent. Considerable experimental work has been carried out over the treatment of concentrates, and it has . been definitely proved they will have to be roasted to lender them amenable to cyanide treatment. Concentrates are now packed by horses nine miles, then transported torn miles by motor-lorry to the railhead, railed to the port of Greymouth, aud then shipfTed to treatment works at Port Kembla, New South Wales. Transport charges are abnormally heavy apart from the cost of treatment at the works. Goods, supplies, and spare parts for renewal of machinery have to be transported by motor-lorry for ten miles, after which they have to be packed by horses over » very rough track for nine miles. Transportation costs are thus high, and the directors have been continuously agitating with the Government for the construction of an adequate road to the mine. Representations to the Government were commenced when this company was formed in 1926, and have been continued ever since. During the past year £600 and £903 were allocated for employment (if unemployed labour in improving the pack track. The company contributed £110 and £250 towards these amounts, in addition to which the company previously spent £408 17s 6<l on the track. Endeavours are now being made to induce the Government to allocate an additional sum of £1000 'in still further improving the track and gradually making it tit for vehicular- traffic.

The battery crushed for the year 5306 tons of ore, from which 3558 tons of sands were saved and treated in the cyanide plant, which is equal to' 67.5 per cent, of the tonnage crushed, which compares favourably .with the percentage of recoveries obtained by other gold mines on . the Keefton field.

The production of gold has been sold abroad, chiefly in -London, and the price realised has ranged from 118s 7d to 124s 2d maximum per fine ounce. The output for the year realised £29,193 19s Id, and the premium on exchange amounted to £4551 16s Id, making the full value of the output worth £33,745 las 2d (as per profit and loss statement). The present price in London is about 124s per ounce fine. During the year six (6) dividends (Nos. 2 to 7) of Is per share each, representing a total distribution of £22,500, were distributed to shareholders, free of income tax. "The Government takes a considerable toll on our efforts, income tax amounting to £221 10s 7d being paid, and a further sum of £1329 2s 6d has accrued. Leas-:e rents, mining property, rate*, and gold duty account for an • additional sum al £897 16s 9d (plus gold duty on -April and May returns, which is estimated -at £380)."

GOLDEN DAWN

Golden Dawn, Owharoa. reports:—On No. 3 level crosscut, east from drive south on No. 3 reef has been driven lift, total 26ft. Reef that was being carried with the crosscut has turned off to right, leaving lode for last 7ft of driving; a few small leaders were cut, but no reef of any size as yet. Leading stope on branch reef or west branch of No. 3 reef north extended 20ft, total 50ft. Reef lyre averages loin wide. As soon as main level timbers are put in here, driving tm reef will be recommenced. The leading stope on east branch of No 3 reef north extended 40ft. total 64ft. Reef here averages 14in wide. Stoping being parried on in two blocks on No. 3 reef. Reef averages 2ft wide. Stoping on No. 1 reef proceeding in one block. Reef averages 3ft wide. On No. 2 level: On No. 1 reef stoping has been carried on in two blocks. Reef averages 2ft wide,