THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 July 1907, Page 1

THE MINING INDUSTRY.

A RECORD YEAR. REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT. (Onv Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Alines statement presented to the House yesterday records that (lie year 1903 was a most prosperous one for the mining industry, the returns of mineral production constituting a record in the history of the colony. The gross value of all minerals produced during 1905 amounted to £3,871,811. being £269,025 in excess of the figures for 1905. The coal output and the yield" from quartz mines showed a considerable increase and IHo colour has now the distinction of possessing in the Wailii Gobi Mining Company and the Westport Coal Company the most productive gold mining and the third most productive colliery Company in Australasia. Thirtv five per cent of Hie total yield of tlm gold mines dnvin year was declared in dividends —a return which compares favorably with the results obtained in any other country.

Thn amount of "old entered for export was 563,8430 z valued at £2,270.904 and of silver 1,390.5300 z, valued at £143,572, makine a total value of gold and silver of £2,414,476. Tliis total showed an inerear.e of £199.938 on that for the previous year. Ollier minerals, including eoal, lignite and kauri gum, represented a value of £1,457.335. or an increase of £49,027 on the total for the previous vear.

The total quantitv of gold entered for export during the year amounted to 553,3430 z, valued at £2.270.904, the total being made up as follows:

Auckland 295.417 Nelson 2.944 West Coast 104.743 Otago and Southland . 150.739 The production of coal for the past year was the highest, yet attained, beine 1.729 "36 tons, an increase of 143,780 tons on the 1905 output. Several new collieries are being opened and preparations for a greater annual production have been made at most of the the principal mines, so that an annually increasing output of coal may bo anticipated.

The export of kauri gum for ibe year was 9154 tons, valued at £522,435, beluga decrease of 1729 tons on the output for 1905.

The report refers to developments in connection with copper, iron, and. other minerals in several parts of (he colony,

and adds in conclusion : “Never in the history of New Zealand has quartz mining been in a more healthy condition. Coal mining is attracting capital for large operations. Efforts are hieing made for testing our petroleum deposits and shale mining is likely to be shortly resumed. Taking a general view of (he mining industry as a whole it may be said to be in a verysatisfactory position.”

“In concluding mv annual statement.” says (tie Minister, “I am pleased to be able to state that arrangementsare now progressing satisfactorily for the working of the deep quartz levels at the Thames and the deep alluvial leads at Ross, in Westland. During the past twenty years (he importance of working these dee)) levels and leads has been discussed by the mining community and various schemes have from time to time been outlined for their develonmenf. T think it; may be confidently stated that definite action will shortly be taken for testing these deep levels at the Thames and Westland. Increased attention is now directed in different parts of the colony to the development of cupriferous ores and (ho recent discovery at Mount Eadianl is a hopeful indication of what may be anticipated from the opening up of the mountainous country on the West Coast by roads and tracks. QUARTZ MTNTNC. The Minos statement recorded that on the Eeefton goldfields the Progress Alines have maintained their yield, having declared in dividends £34,375. as a result of treating 59.100 tons of ore for a return of £91,200. During the year the mines of the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand .Limited have also maintained their position, declaring £12.119 as a result of treating 19,401 tons of ore for a return of £35.307 during 1806. The Keep-It-Dark Mine still maintains its reputation after 33 years’ successful operations, having recently declared its 177th dividend. During (he year £9OOO was declared in dividends, as a result of treating 13,300 tons of ore for a return of £18,887 (including £5685 from the cyanide plant). The roofs which were discovered during 1905 in the Upper [Hackwater district by a party of prospectors who were subsidised by the Government have been recently acquired by Ibe Elackwator Alines Limited, an English Company, and development operations on a considerable scale have been commenced. On the other quartz mining field operations are not at prescit being conducted on any considerable scale. As developments proceed satisfactory promise of the future prosperity of the quartz mining industry is obtained. At the Waihi mine the Martha and other reefs are maintaining their values with depth. At the Talisman mine 1509 ft vortical has been proved on the vein, and the dividends declared arc increasing in value. On the Thames Held payable gold has been obtained in the May Queen mine at a depth of 750 ft and at the Wbiiotahi mine development work at the lower levels is meeting with success. At, Eeefton a depth of 1700 ft has been attained and dividends arc still forthcoming at one mine after 33 years successful operations. In the State of Victoria reef mining is now being carried out profitably at a. depth of 4175 ft and from the evidence the above mines supply it may bo reasonably bo anticipated that the strong quartz veins of this country will prove as permanent as those now worked in Victoria.

HYDRAULIC AND ALLUVIAL MINING. Three systems of mining are confined to the goldfields of the South Island, the prinicpal centres being in the Nelson, Westland and Otago provinces, where it is to ho regretted a diminishing output of gold annually takes place. This is duo to the exhaustion of the shallow deposits hy the large fleet of dredges built a few years ago, and to extensive hydraulic sluicing operations, also to the absence of wain in the more remote auriferous localities.

The Tamati Gold Mining Company, which received a subsidy from the Government, has introduced a novel principle of working auriferous gravels. The water is raised from the Tuapcka Ri'-or to a height of 30ft by means of a dam and from that elevation operates a turbine and pumn, giving a discharge of five heads on the terrace 150 ft above the river level, the waste water being returned to the Tnapeka River. Tins comparatively inexpensive andrfficient system of obtaining power for hydraulic sluicing might he advantageously applied in other parts of the colony. The future of alluvial mining depends noon the working of the lower grade and the more inaccessible deposits which have boon neglected of overlooked bv tno enrller miners or olso Ji.'jvo defied thorn bv reason of the none mtion« (Mjdpr whodi {■hoi* mud?)

DREDGE MIXING. The most extensive dredging fields arc situated in Otago and Southland, where, although a small falling off of output has to be recorded for 1905, the continuance of successful operations for some years to come is assured. On the West Coast dredge mining cannot be considered in a flourishing state, Iho working of flats having often proved a 'failure owing to the difficulties encountered in working or the absence of payable gold. The number of dredges at work at the end of 1905 was 167, a docieaso of 18 as compared with those operating at the corresponding period of the previous year. The sum of £103,722 was paid in dividends by 57 dredges the properly of registered companies. - The profits of privately owned dredges are considerable, as these number 110, hut the amount paid by them is not available. STATE COAT, MINES. Operations at IHo State Coal Mines have been extended and depots are now established at Wellington, Christchurch. and Wanganui for IHo sale of Iho coal to the public. The result of prospecting on the coal reserve in the vicinity of the Point Elizabeth colliery has disclosed valuable seams of coal of a highly bituminous nature.

The profits of both State mines during the financial year ondinsr 31.st of March. 1907, amounted to £3450 19s Id In connection with tlio Soddonvillo Slafn Coal Mine a briquette manufactory has been established at Westport and commenced experimental one ration" in Juno. 1907. Tlio character of tl’o Roddr mvillo bituminous coal if; rf a liierli finality tor briquette fuel. Tlio plant ir. capable, when in full working ord o>‘, of manufacturing 1000 tons per week. DIAMOND DUTIES. Tlio three diamond drills purchased liv tlio High C ommissioner arc now in tlio colony. Tlmse drills have a boring capacity o? 2500 ft, 1500 ft. and 1000ft.' One of tlio drills lias lioon fitted up at tlio Point Elizabeth State Colliery. Tlio approximate cost of working conditions have boon drawn ini and sont out to the various applicants for the drills which are to bo allotted according to priority of application, providod the nsoi's are prepared to enter into an agreement with the Oovernnient in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Department.