GOLD AND COAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 14 July 1936, Page 9

GOLD AND COAL.

AVEST COAST MINING

Per Press Association. BLENHEIAI, July 13.

Discussing the mining industry on the AA’est Coast in an interview this afternoon, the Alinister of Alines (Hon. P. C. AA’ebb) stated that the Government had just undertaken the task of opening up a new area adjacent to tlie present James mine, and as a result boring operations proved that 2,500,000 tons of excellent household coal would be available. The James mine, which was nearing its last stages of development, had been probably the principal source of supply for the State depots, and it would be worked out in two years. Boring operations bad been proceeding on the land just ahead of the present workings for some time, and now the existence of good coal was definitely proved. It was intended to proceed with the work of developing tlie new country immediately. The cost was estimated at £70,000. It was extremely gratifying to know tho required amount was already in the State coffers as a result of accumulated profits from the existing State mines. The whole project would not cost the Dominion a penny.

Alluding to gold mining, with special reterence to the West Coast, Mr AVebb said that about a million of capital would be spent in the construction of four or five dredges, which would be tho largest dredges operating, he thought, in any part ol the world. They would be constructed within the next two years, and have 15 years’ work ahead of them. Electric power from Lake Coleridge would be available in about 18 months’ time. The capacity of the dredges would be considerably greater than that of the Rimu dredge, which was j handling about three million cubic | yards annually. The new dredges would deal with at least five million cubic yards a year. The ground had been thoroughly tested by scientific methods, and he would be greatly surprised if they did not return handsome dividends. The estimated geld i production from each of the dredges . was between 15,000 and 20,000 ounces i a year. Each dredge Mould employ between 60 and 70 men. | Another feature of the industry as , far as the Government Mere concerned M'tts that they Mere subsidising tlie company M-hich was expending £iU,OOO in tho Reefton district for the purpose of boring in order to test tbe low-Jyiug reels. The results u-ould be looked forward to with very great interest in all mining circles.