GOLD IN QEEENSLAND

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3440, 8 March 1932, Page 7

GOLD IN QEEENSLAND

REVIVAL OF MINING. MUCH ACTIVITY DISPLAYED. In view of the great revival of mining activity in Queensland it is interesting to note, says the Brisbane Courier, that particular attention is being devoted to many of the fields which were formerly worked to a certain point and then allowed to lie dormant. Many eminent geologists declare that the surface has been merely scratched and that indications point to the existence of large ©re bodies at depth. The writer says: "Doubtless with the special inducements that are now offering and the vital importance which any large discoveries bear upon the existing economic conditions not only of Queensland but the whole of Australia and the entire , Empire, success will attend at least some of the efforts expended." There is more mining activity taking place in Queensland at present than for many years past. The auriferous area of the State extends from Cape York Peninsula in the north right down to the borders of New South Wales, near Warwick. There are innumerable scattered fields, some of which extend for more than 100 miles. The official monthly returns of gold won show an increase each month, but the outstanding increase is likely to come when production starts at the Mount Coolon mines.

Then there is the new Cracow field in the Upper Dawson, about 80 miles south-west of Eidsvold, which gives promise of great development within the next year or two. The reports of the Mines Department are of a highly promising nature as to future prospects. This is a field that was only discovered last year. It is considered that the prospects of the field fully justify the erection of a battery. In the Etheridge and Oakes fields financial groups have had options over certain areas with a view to developing them, but so far nothing promising unusual progress has transpired. In the early 'eighties, and even before then, in some localities as far back as 1869, large portions of these areas were scenes of much activity in mining. Though transport was difficult the lure of gold—and later of industrial metals —tempted hundreds of hardy souls to test their fortunes, even though the cost of conveying their ore to the nearest railway was £4O to £6O a ton.