PARAPARA IRON ORE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13983, 16 August 1907, Page 3

PARAPARA IRON ORE.

DR BELL'S REPORT ON THE

DEPOSITS.

"GREAT STORE OF MINERAL

WEALTH.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 15. Tho third of tho new series of bulletins oE the New Zealand Geological Survey Department, prepared by Dr Bell and his assistants, was presented to Parliament today. Tho bulletin deals with tho Parapara (Nelson) district, and embraces an area of about 243 square miles. Tho principal point of interest dealt with is, of course, tho Parapara iron ore deposits. Thcso deposits, states the roporfc, ore of " vast oconomic value and of groat scient&c interest." "It seoms remarkable," Bays the report, "that deposits of iron ore of suoli immensity, of such high average quality, and of such easy accessibility should have remained so long unworked. Exposed' as they aro to tho surface, they possoss every facility for cheap and easy winning, while their closo proximity to the sea. coait at onco affords ovory opportunity for their exportation in tho crude state or as pig iron. Tho actual winning of tho ore could be undertaken with little difficulty or expenso by simply quarrying on tho open cut system. In the Fesabi section of tho Lake Superior region, whero somewhat similar conditions prevail, tho actual cost of mining is estima.t<xl at 80 cents, or 3s M a ton. In New Zealand the average cost should not greatly exceed this amount, and mining operations might be conducted even more economically. It will probably be found expedient to convert tho ore into pig iron before exportation." It is stated that suitablo sites for blast furnaces and reduction works are available. Tho oro is stated' to be of high order, and well suited l for tho manufacture of iron and steel. Tho ore in tho Washbourn block shows a higher quality than tho other areas. "Tho quantity of ore," says the report,

"in tho three blocks • (Washbournj Tukurua, and Onakaka) is enormous." A rough cslimato of tho amount of oro showing on tho surfaco of tho Wnshlxmrn block gave 22,691,762 tons. The amount in this ono block may bo much greater, and it is not likely to bo loss. The oro bodies of the three blocks are all in very accessible localities, being nowhere moro than a few miles from the sea shore.

Tho report goes on to say: "It has been estimated by very good authorities that at tho present rate of consumption within 50 years the world's visible supply of ores now considered sufficiently high grade to bo employed for mamifaoturo will be exhausted. In view of these considerations tho valuo of tho immense deposits of iron oro at Parapara cannot be doubted, and tho day when this great store of mineral wealth will be utilised docs not seem to be far distant."