TRANSVAAL GOLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22845, 28 September 1937, Page 5

TRANSVAAL GOLD

EXPANSION OP INDUSTRY

RECORDS BEING SHATTERED The marked expansion of the Transvaal goldmining industry during the first six months of this year is strikingly illustrated by the latest statistics issued by the Chamber of Mines. From these figures, it is already evident that 1937 will be a year of records on the Hand.

Compared with the same period last year, the tonnage milled by the Transvaal gold mines rose by more than ] .000,000 tons. Production of gold shows an increase of nearly 270,0000/... while the yield a ton shows a further increase.

Revenue for the period increased by £2,086,302, costs are nearly £2,000,000 higher, and dividends have remained practically unchanged. Revenue for the half-year was £10.018.674, or 31s Sd a ton, compared with £39,731.184 for the first six months of 1936. Working costs have increased only slightly, from 18s lid to 19s Id a ton. in spito of higher costs of imported machinery, deeper working levels, higher wages, and increased costs of stores and foodstuffs for native labourers.

A production record of 996,5 100/,, was established by the Transvaal goldmining industry in July. This compares with the previous record of 991.3220z., which was established in August, 1932, the year before the "Union left the gold standard. The remarkable achievement brings the possibility of an output of 1,000,0000z. a month within reach.

MINING NEWS YIELDS OF COMPANIES THE CLUTHA RIVER RETURN Glutlia River (Otago).—37ooz. in 125 hours. Waipapa Beach (Southland). —18oz. lldwt. in 132 hours. Xcmona • (West Coast). —1440z. from 13.900 yards in 119 hours. Gillespie's Beach (South Westland). —B9oz. lldwt. for 173 hours. Matnki Junction- .—47oz. smelted gold from 26,000 yards in 12S hours. Mataki Dredging (Murchison). — 270/.. from 8800 yards in 120 hours. Hundi (West * Coast). —440z. from 13.927 yards in 122 hours. New River (West Coast)27oz. from 11.000 vards in 124 lionr.s. White's Electric (West Coast).—Gooz. in 14 days. Molvneux Gold Dredging'(Otago).— For two weeks ended September 25, a total of 730z in 250 hours.

WELLINGTON ALLUVIAL DREDGE The first annual report of Wellington Alluvials, Limited (New South Wales), states that because of rising costs in dredge building it is likely that the ultimate cost of the company's new dredge will exceed the original estimates. , , , At April 30, £120,895 had been expended on plant, equipment, buildings, etc. Cash on hand at that date appeared at £17,246. The company holds leases and applications for n length of approximately 10 miles along the Maequarie River. Assembly of the dredge was begun m October last, and it is expected that it will be possible to complete all construction before the end of tho year. The dredge is estimated to be capable of digging and treating 3,000,000 cubic yards of material a year.

PROGRESS OF SKIPPERS Reference to increased production and lower working expenses was made bv Mr. W. F. Tait, chairman of directors'of Skippers, Limited (Central Otago) at the annual meeting m Christchurcli. He announced the completion of the hvdro-electric scheme. The plant was now working very satisfactorily. Mr. Tait outlined the main features of the proposed temporary tribute arrangement, whereby the company would retain a substantial portion of the gold won, but would be released from all mining expenditure. Shareholders would be advised as soon as the tribute arrangements were completed.

PAEROA WARDEN'S COURT [by xklkgkaph—own corbkspdkdknt] PAEROA. Monday

Applications for prospecting licences, and the suspension of labour conditions on certain claims, wcro among the cases dealt with by the warden, Mr. F. H. Lovicri, S.M., at the monthly sitting of the Paeroa Warden's Court.

An application by Henry Denison Bedford for the suspension of labour conditions on the Desert Gold special quartz claim was granted. The application of John Benjamin Morris for the Royal special quartz claim of 14 acres at Karangahakc, was granted, •with a suspension of labour conditions for three months.

A prospecting licence over 20 acres at Owharoa and Karangahakc was granted to Samuel Alexander Shaw, and the surrender by Henry Denison Bedford of the Golden Zone and Rawhiti special quartz claims was accented.

The application of the Talisman Dubbo Gold Mines, Limited, for the Imperial special quartz claim of 4G acres at Karangahakc was granted. Applications from Albert John Noakes and Harold Sparko for prospecting licences over S'6 acres and 80 acres respectively at Marototo were recommended. The surrender of residence sites by Golden Dawn Gold Mines, Limited, and Lottie Louisa Fislicr was accepted.

REPORTS OF MANAGERS Big River (ffeefton).—Period ended Sep. teniber 23: No. 4 level, centre slope: In the north end (lie reef track has turned sharply into 1110 footwall with 2ft. din. of Ktonc showing in the face. In the south end am taking out Bft. of stone on the footwall track near the winze. South block, inlcrmediate slope: Carried the slope on the hanging wall side for IPft. south. The slope overhead for this distanco averages Oft. din. wide. No. 5 level, south block stopc: This stopc is now filled and have started another from (he winze working north. Centre slope: Taking out a block of stone in the south «nd, which is Bft. wide. North drive: This was advanced Bft. to 22ft. from the west crosscut. The country passed through consisted of reef track carrying a few small seams of .stone. Ninety-six tons of stone were delivered to the surface bins. Mount Lycll (Tasmania).—Fortnight ended September 15.—Mines: Tons extracted— North Mount Lycll, 4251. Crown Lycll, 745. West Lycll. 20,100. Prince Lycll, 2084. Lycll Tharsis, 441. L.vcll Comstock, 8084. No. $ level, north drive to 107 ft. through ore and work then suspended; No. 21 stopo crosscut rise, west, to 150 ft., through heavily pyritiscd schist. Reduction works: Furnace in blast for full period. 12,000 tons refinery anodes made for current year. Concentrator: Mill operated 332 hours and treated 81,570 tons ore, producing 1010 tons concentrates. Copper refinery: Tank bouse in operation throughout fortnight, 501 tons cathode copper being produced. Total for current year, 12,075 tons. Golden Crown (Komata). —A start has been made to beat along the leading stopc over the Golden Grown level. The ore broken in Ibis slope lliows rich blue sulphide bands, along with coarse, heavy gold. The manager. Mr. A. Adams, states this is the richest ore be has seen in the mine. Fie has samples of the "ore in the cily available for inspection. The main pass is just about completed, and a start, will bo made next week to crosscut from th? main pass No. 1 level to cut the No. 2 reef. This crosscut""will only be about 17ft. and then the necessary timbers will bo placed in position and Etoping operations commenced.