FORTY YEARS AGO

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3112, 29 April 1942, Page 8

FORTY YEARS AGO

INTEREST IN ORE KARANGAHAKE DEPOSITS „ f APPEAL FOR EXPLOITATION (From ithe Ohinemuri Gabette bf April 29, 1902.) A renewed interest is being taken by both New Zealand and Australian mining men in the vast deposits of what was once called refactory ore existing on the ranges between Te Aroha and Karangahake. We have already alluded in these columns to the galena lode at the Tui and the presence of from 6 to 8 per cent, of copper abundantly proved to exist in this ore. No sample has yet been as- ■ sayed which has not contained copper to this extent. The Northern Te Aroha ores l besides containing gold, silver, lead, etc., carry, as has been stated, 6 per cent, of copper, • probably far more at a lower level than where the present works are proceeding. But what is really wanted', and 4 what would be a real aid; and benefit to the great ore-lbearing district of ours, indeed, even to the whole colony, is the erection of experimental plants capable of making volumetric analysis of these complex ores. Such processes as the Carmichael, Bradford and Payne, and others would be to the Te Aroha district what the cyanide has been to Waihi. The cost of an experimental plant on the advanced lines of the several new’ processes would be small indeed compared with the results which may probably, aye indeed, certainly, accrue on the exploitation of that vast hill of ore which extends for miles from Te Aroha to Karangahake.

If all is true what is written in the scientific journals re these new and startling processes, there is a veritable new’ era in front of Te Aroha.