MINES PRODUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1940, Page 5

MINES PRODUCTION

COAST GOLD AND COAL. [PER press association.] INVERCARGILL, April 16. A comprehensive review of the mining industry, and production figures for the calendar year 1939, were given by the Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb), in a statement issued to-day. Mr. Webb said, that although the whole statistics have not yet been finally checked, the provisional figures show clearly that the year may be regarded as satisfactory from the viewpoint of production. Gold exported for the year totally! 175,687 ozs, valued at £1,623.000, an increase of 24,515 ozs. and £335,000 in value compared with the previous year. It was worthy of special mention that, from the West. Coast of the South Island, the export figures showed increases of 34,610 ozs. and £368,000 in value, compared with 1938. Over 57 per cent, of the total gold exported from the Dominion in 1939 was produced on the West Coast, the quantity being 100,724 ozs.

Dealing with the output of coal the Minister said that, the total for the year was 2,342,639 tons, an increase of approximately 120,000 tons compared with the previous year. This was the highest output since 1930, and the increase was spread over all classes of coal. The number of men employed was 4762, an increase, an increase of 199. The output per man employed underground during the year was 661 tons, an increase of two tons pei' man compared with 1938. Mr. Webb declared that the output was satisfactory. In view of the need for greater production, it was essential, however, that production should be increased considerably, in order adequately to fulfil the varied needs of the Dominion. Unless the industry can be organised in such a way as to do this, it is obvious that the Government’s policy of limiting importations and refusing to permit the opening of new mines on Crown lands, will have to be reviewed. Mr. Webb declared that he had been watching the position closely for some time, and was convinced that the existing mines could fulfil the requirements, provided a greater measure of efficiency were employed in the industry, and a greater measure of co-operation obtained.

The Minister said that the State mines had a very satisfactory year, the output being 217,765 tons, the highest for'many years. He was satisfied that in efficiency of mine management, and in administration, the State mines reached a very high standard, comparing more than favourably with many, privately-owned collieries. * i Mr. Webb also referred to the value of co-operative mining, and to the assistance given by the Department in various ways for prospecting and development work, as well as improvement of the amenities in mining townships.