TASMANIAN MINES

Evening Star, Issue 15916, 23 September 1915, Page 2

TASMANIAN MINES

According to statements circulated in Launceston negotiations are progressing fa\ orably for the granting of an option by tne Tasmanian Copper Mines, the Hercules and the Primrose Companies. Mount Bead, to the Mount Lyell Railway and Mining Company. The stage affairs had arrived at was that the officials of the -Mount Lyell Company had sampled the mineral deposits on the claims of the three companies. It is understood that this sampling was sufficiently satisfactory for the .Mount Lyell Company to agree to take steps to test bulk Jots of ores from the mines. The ores are lead, zinc, and copper sulphides, complex in nature, and therefore necessitating special treatment Some work on them has already been done by Messrs Bewick, Moreing, and Co. and other investigators. It is believed that results generally have shown that a satisfactory separation of the different minerals can be secured. Doubtless what the Mount Lyell Company wishes to assure itself of in asking for an extended option over the mines is to conduct further experimental work, so as to be assured, should it take over the properties that the ore can be handled with success’ on a commercial scale. There is no doubt as to the size of the formations, and there does not appear to be much risk in taking the properties, provided suitable terms can bo arranged. With the increasing consumption of metals it is becoming more and more difficult to find large ore deposits with fair grade metal contents. The idea in the minds of those who are endeavoring to interest the Mount Lyell Company in the Mount Read field is to provide either for that company' absorbing the other companies by giving shares in its own company as payment, or for the constitution of a new venture to control the whole of the claims. The Mount Lyell Company, in this concern, would have a controlling holding.