MINING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 November 1938, Page 7

MINING

BIG RIVER Returns of Big River Gold Mines, Limited, for the period from Ist October to 19th November: Battery department: 360 tons of ore crushed for 2060 z ldwt of melted gold. Cyanide department: Not cleaned up. Total estimated value, £1390. In addition. 4 tons of concentrates were saved valued at £5135. Note: In estimating the above values gold has been taken at 140 s per fine ounce. ALEXANDER Report of Alexander Mines Limited for the week ending 17th November:— No. 6 level: The early part of this week was spent opening up a boulder of quartz which continued to lay fairly flat in an easterly direction. No. 1 crosscut: Advanced a further 20 feet, making a total distance of 43 feet east of No. 6 level. The country has been hard and dry except for a little water at 40 feet in. No. 5 intermediate drive south: Advanced 10 feet from south end of rise, last 5 feet being on quartz leaders. the widest being 6 inches. Stoping will now be commenced above this drive. Stoping: This has been carried on about No. 5 intermediate north of the rise. Width of reef averages 2ft 9in. Grade of ore not as good as the north end of the block. One hundred and five tons of stone sent to the battery for the week. NEW WELCOME PROGRESS REPORT After waiting some considerable time for the construction of 33 chains of s pack track from the end of the main road to the mouth of the New Welcome Company’s proposed operations (the cost of which was borne by the Minos Department and the Inangahua County Council in conjunction), active operations in t onnection with preparing to drive the crosscut tunnel 1200 feet into the line of lode on this company’s claim at Boatmans, were commenced at the end of August. Suitable sites have been excavated, and buildings have been erected for engine and compressor *}ouse, blacksmith’s shop, timber shed and manager’s residence Also magazine for stc rage of explosives. A considerable quantity of steel rails, tools and other mining plant has been transported and assembled at the mouth of the tunnel. An air compressor and 12 h.p. Tangye oil engine for driving same has been purchased and are now in the course of being transported to the site. These power units are to provide compressed air for driving a rock drill for opei’ations in the tunnel. The company has been fortunate in buying considerable quantities of mining plant and equipment from two other mines that have recently ceased to operate. A contract has been let for driving the full length of 1200 ft to a party of good miners. Actual driving of the tunnel, commenced on the 14th instant with one shift, and rince then a second shift has been employed. Next week a third shift will be in operation. It is intended to publish monthly progress reports henceforth.