MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15750, 27 October 1914, Page 5

MINING NEWS.

THAMES DEEP LEVELS.

DANGEROUS GASES.

INSPECTOR TAKES ACTION.

THE PUMPING OPERATIONS.

Tee intimation from Mr. Boyd Bennie. I inspector of mines, that work in the | Thames deep level crosscut must cease owing to the danger to the lives of the [ miners from gas, and the decision of the Thames Drainage Board to stop the big i pump which drains the mines In the I drainage area at Thames, were matters discussed at a meeting of the Thames i Deep Levels Board yesterday morning. I There were present at tho meeting :— Messrs. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., in the chair, C. Hudson, E. A. Brown, Graves Aickin, H. W. Hopkins, H. 11. Adams, and A. Bruce. Inspector Bennie*s notice stated that he had ordered all work to cease on October 19 at the Thames deep level crosscut, and in all drives known as tho main crosscut, the deviation crosscut, and the Victoria crosscut, all of which were in the Waiotahi Company's claim at Thames, his reasons being that through the cutting into the Moanataiari slide by a bore hole in the main crosscut, in December, 1912, and the bursting into the deviation crosscut drive in September, 1913, a dangerous quantity of carbon dioxide gas and water continued to come into the drives. It was at present almost impossible to ventilate adequately the deviation drive and render the poisonous gases harmless. The ventilation was inadequate, and the presence of such an enormous reservoir of. carbon dioxide gas appeared to be adjacent to the deviation crosscut drive face. No doubt, the gas was coming from the Moanataiari slide through the broken rock intervening between the drive and the slide, and it was an ever-present menace to the lives of workmen who might bo engaged in any one of the three drives. What the Inspector Found. The- crosscut was inspected by Mr. Bennie on October 17. and lie found the deviation crosscut full of carbon dioxide gas for a length of about 350 ft. The door was closed, and in five minutes the gas was cleared out to the end of the 22in pipes, but beyond that point it could not be moved. The door was then opened, and in five minutes the deviation crosscut filled with gas. That meant 17.500 cubic feet of poisonous gas, or equal to an accumulation of 3500 cubic feet per minute. If another deviation were started 70ft back from the face a failure of the ventilation system for only one minute would result in the loss of the lives of the workmen. Ho considered the mine levels dangerous to work in. and. in his opinion, the conditions threatened and tended to the boriilv injury of any person who might bo sent to work therein. Mr. Hudson stated that Mr. P. E. Williams, a consulting mining engineer, bad inspected the deep level, and his report practically confirmed Mr. Bennie's oronion. Mr. Williams had stated that in his experience of mining he had never seen men workinc under such conditions. It was impossible to continue the present deviation l a vel but by duplicating the present ventilating plant, and starting a second crosscut about 70ft back from the face, the work might still proceed. Stoppage of Pumping. A letter was read from the Thames Drainage Board, statins that it had decided to discontinue pumping after October 29. Mr. Hudson, who is chairman of the Drainatre Board, said that the board bad decided on this course owing to the fact that tho contributing companies had resolved that they would no longer contribute towards the cost of pumping. Mr. Adams pointed out that it would lie a very serious thine for Thames if the punrunrr were stormed. It would be a mistake to close down mines from which millions had b-ocn won. It the Government did its duty it would keep the pumps going.

Mr. Hudson remarked that it could not be exnected that the Government would aid companies which did not nnv calls.

Mr. Hopkins thought file difficulty in regard to ventilation could be overcome.

" One Large Company."

( Mr. Adams said he felt sure that if the were approached it would keep the pumps going until the shareh Id'.-rs could reconsider their decision. All the companies should unite to form a large one to carry out the work. What was wanted was to get through the big slide, as the other side was the cnlv place where another goldfield was likely to exist. It was the Cambria reef, and not the slide, that had been met with in the low level. So far all the work had been on the foot wall side; but in the. upner levels the gold was found on the haneingwall of the Cambria reef. If a large company were formed people would readily pay calls. What was wanted was one strong rompanv, embracing all the Thames drainage areas. Approaching the Drainage Board.., The chairman considered that some effort should be made to keep the pumps going, although the proposition was difficult. On the motion of Mr. Hopkins, seconded by Mr. Adams, it was resolved that strong representations he made to the Thames Drainage Board asking it to reconsider its decision, and that it be requested to use its utmost endeavours to continue pumping operations; and, if necessary, ask for Government assistance for that purpose. Mr. Hudson: I will not keep the pumps going. They will stop on Thursday. As it is, the Drainage Board will bo faced with strong financial loss.