EARTH DEPOSIT TESTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20526, 9 April 1941, Page 11

EARTH DEPOSIT TESTS

MAKING OF MUNITIONS v INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA If tests which are to be carried out in Australia shortly prove satisfactory a new war industry may be established on Banks Peninsula, where deposits of diatomuceous earth are being investigated by a Christchurch business man on behalf of principals in Australia. Between 500 and 1000 tons of the deposit are required for export, presumably in the manufacture of munitions.

Diatomaceous earth, a fine siliceous deposit, is found in many parts of the world, and is used chiefly in the making of dynamite. It is found in many forms, varying from a fine powder to slate-hard rock, and some doubt exists as to whether the samples taken from Banks Peninsula are true. They have been forwarded to Sydney for analysis and tests.

The agent said that, so far. four payable lodes had been found. Although diatomaceous earth had been used in small quantities in New Zealand, he believed that it had never been exported on the scale which his principals hoped would be possible. It was probable that war conditions had cut ofi: many of the recognised supplies, and Australian manufacturers were searching for sources near at hand.

It occurs in widely distributed parts of New Zealand, chiefly in the Bay of Islands, Hawke’s Bay, North Canterbury, New Brighton, Banks Peninsula, Oamaru and Green Island. In addition to its use in the manufacture of dynamite, diatomaceous earth is used in the making of siliceous glazed paints and steam pipe casings.