MINING NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15234, 22 February 1913, Page 5

MINING NEWS

NEW SYLVIA. Jl ...; ; .:,'■. r; ,' j.. HAUL OF PICKED STONE. , The manager of the New Sylvia mine, Thames telegraphed yesterday as follows ; — Secured 451b of picked stone from the slopes at No. 3 level," ■ ACCIDENT TO THE BIG PUMP. ' PUMPING OPERATIONS STOPPED. 'The engineer in charge- of the ThamesHauraki pump reports that tho bucket hoop buist yesterday, and the rods wore bent in a similar way to the last accident. The pump will be stopped for several days as a result. COMMERCIAL MINERALS. ■■ NEGLECTED OPPORTUNITIES. Mr. LeiUie W. A. Macarthur, F.G.S., mining geologist, writes :—" Repeated opportunity is afforded me during journeys through the North Island of New Zealand examining- gold mining properties, to observe- the neglect to open up and develop valuable commercial minerals < with which the North Island is fraught. Apparently the prospector concentrates all his effort* and labour energies to discover gold, silver, or copper, to the utter neglect of minerals of commerce which in many instances aro of more ultimate value than tho general run of gold mines. Several minerals always command high market value, such as schoelitd— at nresent from £70 to £120 per ton—which," being an exceptionally heavy mineral, of very high specific gravitynearly as heavy as lead—in crude appearance might readily be mistaken for a close-grained quarts. At present this mineral, as well as wolfram, are much in demand, being extensively used for hardening steel in the manufacture of armaments. Kxupp, >of Germany, is open to purchase any quantity of this mineral in its crude state simply shipped and paid for upon assay value. Again, there are several radioactive ores to be found in New Zealand, such as uranium, pitchblende, indications of which I have observed in the Tokatea Rango at Coromandel (in my opinion the most neglected and prematurely-deserted -goldfield in Australasia). The Puhipuhi district and Bay of .Islands district are the repository of numerous minerals of commercial value, awaiting systematic development, not, as heretofore, desultory prospecting 'potholes.' Rich cinnabar orb of mercury occurs in the above district, whilst phosphate rocks, gypsum for manufacturing plaster of Paris. etc antimony, galena (silver lead), chrome iron, hematite (iron ore), tin, zinc, platinum, kaolin (used for pottery and base of many . paints), - bismuth, cobalt, ; nickel, barytes (also' used in lieu of white lead in the manufacture of paints), and marl (rich in carbonate of lime), aro in considerable demand for various purposes. "In order to re-move the existing neglect to develop minerals of high commercial value, an effectual remedy might be sought through the medium of our local Parliamentary representatives, it being quite within their province to approach thfl Minister for Mines to have prepared and sent to Auckland an inexpensive glass case similar to those in the Museum, containing samples of the above minerals in their crude state, with a view to educating the prospector a3 to the "general appearance of such ores of commerce in their natural state a» met -with in the pursuit of their vocation. Such case could be placed either in the vestibule of the Stock Exchange, .where all those interested in mining matters congregate to: exchange views etc., or else at tne entrance of the Public Library. , A further -past assistance to i the ■' prospector would &be a series of leaflets (as issued in New South Wales by the Mining Department) containing a brief summary of the minerals of commercial value, conveying the crude appearance, uses, simple bush methods of testing, etc. Doubtless samples of many of the above oresri may bo. seen in tho Auckland Museum, but t'bev are so much mixed up with other ores that the lay mind of the ordinary miner becomes confused, and learns but Tittle of the minerals of commercial value. I am confident that if: the above suggestion were carried out, many minerals of high commercial value would be brought to light for tho benefit of the Dominion at. large and the /.Auckland mining district in particular." ; : <■ BROKEN HILL: COMPANY'S ;; PROFITS. ■. - " By Telegraph. Aaisociji^-^.—Copyright ,>'■:!'; • . ' Sti« v «x',. Veiitvaty 21. • The report of thellr.Vkti. "till Proprietary Company for; / «&& / nali-year ended November, shows a nor. ;fit of £164,963. The liquid assets total .3S-^.37' J , It is anticipated that the iron »;,id : -~r.cssl works which the company is■•'.*re;.tiijg in Newcastle will be com|-fefr?d jf.wo years hence.