THE PAPAROA COAL COMPANY.

Grey River Argus, 17 December 1904, Page 4

THE PAPAROA COAL COMPANY.

Additional Particulars. On Friday we gave a description of the discovery of coal on Mount Davey, in the Paparoa Ranges, about two miles und a half from Blackball, on the West Coast, together with particulars of the analyses of Professors Maclaurin and Black and other particulars. We now give some additional details showing the value of the discovery : — Mr P. F. Daniel, F.G.S., London, M.1.M.E., lias furnished a report to the following effect: — The property is situated in the heart of the Grey coalfield, about 2J miles south-west of the township of Blackball and the Blackball Company's colliery, about 8 miles north of the Brunner, Tyneside, and Tyne Top collieries, and almost adjoining the northern boundary of the State coal mine reserved area. The surface of the lease is of rugged character, solid and extensive spurs alternating with deep ravine-like valleys, the altitude above sea level carying between 1400 and 3000 ft. About two thirds of the total area is covered with heavy bush, which also obtains for many miles round on the lower slopes of the mountains. In the widely circulated Geological Report of the colony the Grey coalfield has been so ably and exhaustively described at frequent intervals by Sir James Hectcr, Mr Alexander McKay, F.G.S., and other prominent geologists that, for purposes of this report, lengthy reference is unnecessary. Briefly stated, the measure which contains bituminous, semibutuniinous, and anthractious coal, consist of grits and conglomerates of Upper Mesozoic age, corresponding to the horizon of the Gault or Lower Greensand of the European Cretaceous formations. In tho Grey field tho measures attain an approximate thickness of over 5000 f t; they rest upon slate, and in consequence are overlaid by island sandstone (Saurian beds) dark marls, green grits, limestone, marlstone, calcareous marl, and terrace gravels. By upheaval and subsequent denudation the deepest coal beds of the measures have been brought, to the surface and exposed in the area enclosed by the boundaries of your lease, the six seams bared in outcrops ranking in coal classification from tho very best of bituminous to high-grade anthracitous. On the east of the main ridgo the head waters of Ford's, Waterfall, Tunnel, and Soldier's Creeks take their rise, clese to the western boundary of the lease, and in their downward course cut the eastern boundary. Their fall are very rapid, averaging about 1 in 3. The deep valleys thus formed expose complete sections of the tommy from the crown of the range to l level loOOft below, and show that the measures are true to their bedding, and that throughout the whole extent of tho property the coal seams are undisturbed by fault, dislocation, or surface roll. The ravines further afforded unequalled facilities for natural drainage and ventilation, and allow over two-thirds of the vast coal area being worked to the rise, level free. THE COAL SKAMS. In th<- lower bedding of deep measures exists on the lease six large and welldefined conl spams occur. The deepest, or No.l srani, varies between Gfr and 18ft from floor to roof, the mean of the 22 faces oprncd on the 200 chains of outcrop contour being 10ft (iin. From outcrop observation all six seams would appear to dip to the .south-west at nil angle of 1 in 12. On the coal an adit 6ft by 7ft has been driven true to the line of (lip a distance of 200 ft. also a short drive at Waterfall Creek. These show i lie true angle of dip to be about 1 in 7, and from general knowledge of the Grey coafield .13 a whole I would expeci Ihis rate to be maintained throughout your properly. At the other collieries the general fall in dip averages about 1 in 4, but the crown of the mountain system forms a roll or anti cliiiiil ridgo in which the dip of the strata i< at more moderate angles. By the eroding action of the creeks 64 acres of the senm »re lost by denudation, but. as rdready noted, with direct advantage ro mining operations. The coal is bright, hard, anthracitous, and as a seam coal -s unequalled for evaporative power in the Australasian colonies. The moan of numerous analyses and tests from various parts of the seam show close percentages — of fixed carbon 81, hydro c;>rboiis 16. water 1. ash '■>. and of sulphur traces varying between .02 and .2 of 1 per cent Its evaporative power is 10.281 b of water prr lb of coal (Maclaurin) — a sufficient indication of its value. In the closed crucible the coal from this seam frits or but partially fuses, but the other seams yield a strong and compact eoko or high metallic lustre. The outcrop of coal is, of course, rather friable, the result «--f acc»>s of weathering action, bill it hardens at a very rapid rate. Mr Cutten's survey proves the scam to underlay 9')<j acres of the 1000-acre lease; 27.0 cubic feet of coal weigh n ton, and, following 1600 tons per acre for each foot in thickness of coal, the approximate quantity contained in the seam on your property is 16,000--000 tons. The boor where seen is either a very hard sandstone or strogly indurated shale. The roof is shale or sandstone, and these features pertain to all six seams From a mine manager's point of view, floors and roofs are ideal ones, and mining operations will require but a very small supply of timber. PROPOSED METHODS OF WORKING. Xo great engineering difficulty is pro sented in the opening out and working of the mine. The Government branch of railway connecting the town of Blackball with the railway joining Ngahere with the port of Greymouth is under construction, the distance bet ween Greymouth and Black ball being 18 miles. The problem requiring solution is to decide on the best methods of conveying coal from the mine mouth to the Blackball Station, a distance of 2.1 miles, the difference in elevation being anything from 1200 ft to 1700 ft, according to the level adopled for the proposed main drive. In Mr Cutten's report an effective scheme is fully and ably out lined. Another proposal is to open the \ mine by main adit, cutting all seam s 300 Feet or 400 feet below Mr Cuttciis proposed level, and connect the mouth at Blackball Station by an inclined ropedriven tramway havig an average grade of lin 10. A rough estimate of the total sost of opening out and equipping the nine under this scheme is £.54,500: Lines ire now being cut in connection with the icheme, and when finished requisite data 'or closer estimate will be forthcoming, [n any way I consider this the pcrferiblo method, and the one most conducive o economical and satisfactory working. ■V third proposal is to open the mine by idit in Soldier's Creek, at a level 463 ft jelow Mr Cutten's suggested site, and sountu-t by tramway as in the case of No. I. This would allow a larger field of coal )t'ing worked to the rise, but would mean in additional 50 or 60 chains of tramway )ver rugged country. Another method if coveying the coal to tho bins would >c by an aerial tramway carrying the mine übs. lam aware that this suggestion rill not at first mention find favour with nany engineers, but would point out that )f late years more experience- of this nethod of conveyance has been acquired md existing conditions are admirably idaptcd for its successful working. In ldopting a scheme output of coal — at east 10,000 tons per week. Within limits he first cost should not be the chief conideratipn. If but a, shilling a- ton be iaved on this output a gross saving of £25,000 a year on working cost is made. Before deciding on a particular scheme :areful consideration should be given to ill likely methods. In conclusion, I sincerely congratulate rour shareholders on the possession of a nagnificent estate." j .