MINERAL WEALTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19217, 5 January 1926, Page 7

MINERAL WEALTH.

NEW SOUTH WALES MINES. THE OUTPUT WELL MAINTAINED. [from otjr own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Dec. 29. While the value of mineral production in New South Wales last year was £18,623,000, constituting a record for the State, there is every indication tKat Clio returns for 1925 will be at least as satisfactory, as even if they do not eclipse, th'o 1924 figures. The main factors contributing to this splendid result are silver-lead, coal, limestone and cement. With the close of the year i 925 the aggregate value of the minerals produced m tho State to date should approximate £403,500,000. Operations at Broken Hill during the year were attended with most gratifying results. The high average price for lead, silver and spelter, together with an increased tonnage of ore raised, should result in making the value of tho production for 1925 much in. excess of that for the previous year, which totalled £5,607,000. All the mines along tho Broken Hill line of lode worked continuously during the year. It is estimated that the output of coal in the State for 1925 will bo about 11,000,000 tons. The highest output was in 1924, when 11,618,000 tons of coal, valued at £9,590,000 at the pit mouth, were obtained. A fresh record would probably have been created but for the shipping strike. The total output of the collieries in the State from the opening of the coal seams to the end of 1924 is 299,753,781 tons. A slight increase in gold production is anticipated, although no new discoveries of importance have been recorded.