MINING SUMMARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15672, 27 January 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

MINING SUMMARY.

The mining industry generally in Otago and Southland for tho past four weeks has been very quiet, and nothing of moment has eventuated. Since tho holidays only one return over 50oz has been reported. This yield was won last week by the Rising Sun dredgo operating at Cromwell. The returns from the majority of other dredges have been below 20oz. Last week tho Molyneux River at Cromwell had reached a low level, but heavy showora in the back country caused a rise, in consequence of which gorge dredging will be out of tho question for some time to come. The Hartley and Riley dredge has been engaged, in opening out operations, and on this account there were no returns for the first two weeks of the year. A small return was reported during tho third week, but on the 17th inst. the master advised that the buckets were off the lower tumbler, which necessitated a stoppage for repairs. Since the Good Chance dredge recommenced work fairly good returns have been won, 350z being reported last week. Operations are being steadily carried out on the Karaunui, Masterton, Waikaia, and Golden Bed claims, and although the yields have been somewhat below the averago on account of opening out operations and other causes, the prospects aro reported to be improving, and bigger returns may bo anticipated in the near future.

Several of tho sluicing claims are again suffering from want of water, and at Hamilton work ihas been suspended for Eome time on this account. Tho shortage of water is also being felt on tho Nokomai Hydraulic Company's claim. On tho Bth inst. a return of 2700z was reported from the wash-up of No. 3 paddock. On tho West Coast fair yields are being won by the Pactolus and Blaekwater River dredges. A return of 350z for a week's operations was reported from the Success dredge on the 17th inst., but since that date several breakages havo occurred to the machinery, and advice has been received that the dredge has closed down for a few weeks pending repairs. Tho manager of the Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining and Sluicing Company reports a return of 440z 9dwt, chiefly from top stuff in tho new paddock. The Carrick Reefing Company is again working after tho holidays, but the returns eo far aro reported to be much below expenses. . The lato 909 dredge recently purchased by Messrs Goodger and Horn will likely be given another run where she now lies in the vicinity of Mackenzie Beach. Tho ground there is very deep, and it is doubtful if the machinery will be able to bottom, but if successful in doing so the general opinion is that a rich wash will be struct It is reported that highly payable stone has been struck in the Homeward Lound mine at Maoetown. ( During the four weeks ended December 21 tho f omata Reefs Company crushed and treated 480 tons of oro for bullion worth £1091. The expenditure for that period was £948. Compared with the yield for tho corresponding period of 1911, when 500 tons gave £1516, tho return shows a decrease of £425. This return completes tho company's output for 1912, which shows a total of £15,377, as compared with £17,111 in 1911—a decrease of £1734. The total won from the mine to date is £394,957. The treatment of quartz was resumed on the 14th instant at, the Waihi Grand Junction Company's battery, and the p.ant, which has been hung up since tho strike comn-enced on May 13, 1912, is working smoothlv and satisfactorily. The ore go:ng to tho mill is from the storage hoppers, and when this is exhausted supplies will be drawn from the shrinkage stopes and other producing points at and over No. 5 level until No. "b level is unwatered. It is anticipated that the water will bo out of tho bottom level about tho middle of March. At tho annual meeting of tho Shamrock Company, held at Arrowtown, it was stated that the value of the gold won since tho registration of the company amounted to £1316. The manager reported that the ground at present being worked was highly payable. A further lot of 1000 ft of pipes had been purchased, and would bo placed on tho claim at an early date. The management of the Consolidated Goldfield3 is taking active steps in the direction of developing its holdings at Memjigs. A contract is about to be let for the transport of machinery from, the Sir Francis Drake shaft. A large boiler will be taken from the Progresi sawmill, as also the engine and winding gear formerly used at the Energetic mine. The engine, as stated by Mr Walter Willy, is quite capable of hauling from a' depth of 1500 ft. Mining prospects at Waiuto, West Coast, are very promising. An amalgamation of three claims —the Biackwater South Company, tho Birthday Reef, and tho Empire, on Morgan's area—has taken place, and will bo known as the Blackwator South Company. At a meeting of the syndicate held at Ohristchurch it was decided to put tho proposition on the market with a capital of £100,000. There is a great lack of men in the mines. Tho newcomers aro getting into contracts at once. Activity in mining circles is verv keen.

Tho smelting returns of tho Mount Lvell Mining and Railway Company show that from November 28 to December 25 (inclusive) a total quantity of 5212 tons of ore has been treated, being 8941 aons from tho Mount Lyell mine and 271 tons from tlio North Mount Lyell mine. In addition to the above there were treated during the same period 4904 tons of Lyell Thai-sin metal-boating fluxes. Tlio converters produced, during the same period, 90 tons of blister copper containing: Copper, 89 tons; silver, 15.6120z; gold, 3530z.

Good progress is being made at the Ross GoldfielA? mine, and there aro expectations that highly payable ground of considerable extent will be reached at any time from the drive towards tho Cassius working. Four heads were washed recently for a return of soz of gold. Those who have previously expressed doubts as to- the likelihood of the mine are now very sanguino as to the ultimate results of tho company's operations.

Crushing operations after the holiday period wero resumed at the Crown Mines Company's battery at Waihi on the 14th instant, and the vacuum plant was started on the 15tii instant. The plant will improve gold recovery, and in the course of a few davs tho tonnage of oro going to the mill will also bo materially increased. To permit of the breaking out of additional ore from the mine tho north block of quartz on the Mary roef, which has hitherto been worked from the No. 7 level only, is being approached from tho Talisman Company's No. 4 level.

An important development is about to tnke placo in connection with the testing of the quartz reefs supposed to exist in tho vicinity of Moonlight. For the past four years tho Moonlight Syndicate has had si number of men at work driving in tho i'.icrher levels, and the stone struck thero and in the adjoining claim of Messrs Mitchell, Russell, and party has been of such a promising description that tho owners havo been encouraged to further extend their operations. For this purpose the two parti-* mentioned have amalframatcd under the title of "Tho Moonlight Syndicate," and intend to systematically test tho low levels.

Tho first work to be undertaken in connection therewith will bo tho driving of a tunnel 300 ft long, by which distance it is ho-ed the promising reefs struck higher up will bo intercepted.

At a meeting of the Dnnodin shareholders in the Paracale Gold Drcdginjr Company, hold on (he 11th instant, the following motion agreeing to the proposali relative to debenture stock was carried:—" That this company, as the holder of £6000 worth of debenture stock in tho PhilLpnine Dredtrin? Proprietary, consent'! to tho proposals relative to debenture ntock, ns contained in a circular dated Novombcr 27, submittal by Mr A. F. Showers, a.s secretary for the Pbiliinine Drednin? Proprietary, by his letter of December 24. and agrees to forward such debenture stock, to be-eschanged for a

corresponding amount of debenture stock in the Philippine Dredges (a public company) to be due at tho same time and to carry the same rato of interest as the private company's debenture stock, and to be protected in a similar way."

In consequenco of the decline of the dredging industry in Otago dredgomen and masters are casting their eyes on foreign fields, and the result is that New Zealand dredgemen aro scattered pretty well all over the world. At anyrate, whero any extent of dredging is caried on, there will bo found men from the Molyneux, Waikaia, etc., etc. A party of 14 is settled in the Paracalo district of tho Philippine Islands. Tho first dredging in the Philippines wa6 started by a Dunedin Company, which began operations with a second hand New Zealand dredge. Mr Wm. Telford, formerly of Roxburgh, is goncral manager. Further up the Bancalo River the Stanley drcdgo has been repaired, and -has started work under the management of Mr Wm. Pearson, formerly of Dunedin. Tho dredge is now owned by the Maximalo Dredging Company, and tho returns are very satisfactory. About a mile south of tho Paracale, and running parallel to it, is the Maiagait River, and here the Philippines Dredging Syndicate La 6 a machine at work under tho management of Mr J. A. Bruce, who was for years connected with tho Electrio dredges at Cromwell. Other New, Zealonders are placed as follows:—On tho Paracalo: Messrs J. H. Jonas (ilio well-known engineer], Wm. Perkins, and V. Morris. Mr H. Hardman, of Waikaia, is with Mr Pearson on the Stanley, and Messrs Wm. Wood, E. Foord, and J. Pearson aro with Mr Bruce at Maiagait. The scheelifce industry at tho Head of Lake Wakatipu is still in a vigorous state, and this contributes to the distribution of a great amount of money through the locality. Tho early commencement of operations at the old Invincible quartz mine at the Head cf Lake and the reopening up of the Maoetown mines will, it hoped, still give a further impetus to mining.

During the month of December (says our Greymouth correspondent) t'ne Kcop-It-Dark-mino battery crushed 300 tons of quartz for a return of 1440z. The cyanide yielded 70oz 3dwt, making tho total yield 218oz 3dwt. Tho December return for the Talisman mine is as follows:—Short neriod' 18 days, crushed 2750 tons, value £13,845 lis lid. Tho costs, which aro 'higher owing to small tonnage, amount to £2 76 3d, mado up as follows:—Development, 12s 6d; mining, 16s 7d; milling, 15s 3d; general, 2s lid. The following cablegram has been sent to London :—" 14 level north, progress 57ft, assays low; sunk Talisman shaft 7ft." The Consolidated Goldfields crushing returns for December. 1912, are as follow:— Progress: Crushed 1416 tons, yielding 2520z of bullion, valued at £1012 4s;andcyan:ded 1040 tons, yielding 720z lSdwt of bullion, valued at £180 Is Id; the estimated value of sulphurate (13 tons) being £280. The Wealth of Nations crushed 1363 tons, vielding 4950z 15dwt of bullion, rained at £2001 12s; and cyanided 837, tons, yielding 2160z 12dwt of bullion, valued at £542 Bs, the estimated value of sulphurets (18i tons) being £125. COMPARATIVE DREDGING RETURNS. Tho following table shows the number of Otago and 'Southland dredges at work weekly, with their. return, together with the figures for the eorre;nonding periods of 1912, ,1911, and 1910. Pennyweights and grains are omitted in each instance:— 1913. 1912. 1911. 1910. Oz. Oz Oz. Oz. 1 24 2 17 — _. _ _ 3 114 4 99 3 131' 7 197 5 121 11 361 8 266 21 700 8 167 13 354 14 351 23 621 426 831 748 1518 Tht West Coast 1913. 1912. 1911. 1910. Oz. Oz. Oz. Oz. _ ' - 1 9 - - 2 47 2 49 4 193 2 40 1 24 2 45 5 185 4 157 5 157 94 387 197 228 The following table, compiled from the Customs returns, shows the amount of gold and the value thereof exported from Dunedin during eacii of the 12 months of the past year: — Ozs. Yalue. January 13,778 £55,201 February ... 1.045' 4,181 March 11,447 46,480 April 1,878 7,509 May 11.399 45 857 Juno 1916 7,670 Julv 10,073 40.678 August 10,545 ' 41,120 September 7,090 28,162 October 3.894 15,576 November 8,327 33,525 December 23 SB Totals 82,413 £326,144 Comparative Returns. The following table shows the amount of gold exported over- the past two years:— Ozs. Value. 1910 78,883 £319,094 1911 78.257 316,019 1912 82,413 326,744 WAIHI MINING COMPANY. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT. RETIREMENT OF MR H. P. BARRY. AUCKLAND, January 6. Satisfactory progress has been made with tho installation of tho Waihi Gold Mining Company's hydro-electric power plant at Horahora. The equipment of the power house will probably be completed by April, but it is unlikely that power from the new soureo will be available on the company's mining ground before July. Industrial, troubles in England have greatly delayed tho delivery of much of the transmission material, and some of the insulators have not yet been shipped. The masts for the transmission lines have been erected over the whole distance between Horahora and Wairongomai, but they have not yet been fitted with, insulators. Although official confirmation is lacking, it is understood that Mr H. P. Barry has advised the directors in London of his desire to relinquish office a 6 superintendent of tho Waihi mine at tho close of the present year, and that it is his intention to retire into privato life at Cambridge. Mr Barry has occupied tho position of superintendent to tho company for upwards of 17 years, and during his period in office the mine has grown from a comparatively small concern to one of tho world's leading bullion producers. Capable, conscientious, and farseeirig, Mr Barry has closely safeguarded .the interests of the shareholders, but at no time did he turn a deaf ear to the worker, and his considerate yet firm and impartial treatment of those under him earned him widespread popularity in the district. His retirement from a post which he has occupied with such marked ability will bo generally regretted by the many kindreds of men who have worked under his supervision. WAIHI COMPANIES. PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS. WAIHI, January 7. Since tho resumption of operations on October 2 only one shift of eight hours per day has been worked on the ore-producing points in the Waihi Company's mine, and ft second shift will not bo commenced before the water which accumulated during the strike has been sufficiently reduced to pormit of the manning of the various faces at a depth of 1150 ft. The lowering of the water will probably occupy about two months and a-half, and as soon as the level is clear the development of tho Martha, Royal, and Empire reefs will bo continued, and driving for the Edward lode be resumed. As at the 1000 ft level, operations eo far carried out on the three first-mentioned ore bodies have not yielded results corresponding with those disclosed in tho workings above, but a good deal remains to bo done before tho widths and values of the pay chutes can bo fully determined. Prior to the strike winzes were being sunk on the Edward from tho 1000 ft level, and some of them disclosed very satisfactory values, but nothing definite can bo said concerning this reef until it has been driven upon both ways and crosscuts projected across it at 1150 ft down. Tin's will not be done for some months to come. As soon as possible the sinking of tho No. 5 shaft, now down 115 ft to 120 ft below the 1150 ft level, will again be put in hand,_ and this work will bo followed with keen interest, as upon the results at greater depths tho future of tho mine largely depends. Much hinges on the point as to whether the impoverished zono entered upon at the 1000 ft level will give placo to enrichment as greater deptlis nro attained, and the question is one upon which the opinions of experts are divided. It- is understood that the management intends opening out and testuig the reefs at 1300 ft, and that simultaneously with- this work tho sinking of the shaft for another level (1450 ft level) will bo proceeded with. Meanwhile the oro being raised from the mino amounts to between 500 and 6CO tons daily, and tho quantity will show an increase when the second shift is started nn the ore-producing points. A third or night shift will ako be put on about tho same time, or shortly afterwards, but the men engaged on the shift will confine their attentions to development work, No time is

to be lost in exploiting tho proDcrty at a greater depth, and operations in this connection will be facilitated when tho water power from Hora Hora is available, which should bo about July next This power will also cheapen tho treatmont costs and permit of the handling of quartz whioh, under existing conditions, cannot bo •worked at a profit.

During the past few weeks parties of miners have been at work at No. 5 and other levels in the Grand Junction mine, but the underground workings cannot bo fully manned until the water is lifted from No. 6 level, which practically corresponds with the Waihi Company's 1150 ft level. It was at this depth that improved ore values were met with,' more particularly on the footwall branch of tho Empire reef, and tho quartz won from No. 6 level materially assisted in raising tho average value of the ore, as disclosed by several crushings prior to tho suspension of operations in May of last year. At that time a vigorous development policy was being pursued in the bottom workings, and driving and crossoutting at the various points then being operated upon will be re-started as coon as tho water is out. Of these works one of tho most important will bo the advancement east of the d'rivo on the Royal reef. The sinking of tho main shaft for No. 7 level will be continued at the earliest possible moment, and no time will bo lost in taking down the new (No. 3) shaft on the south-east section of tho company's property. This latter work is now in hand, and the shaft has been sunk a depth of about 200 ft. Work in connection with tho additions to the power and treatment plants is being pushed on, and the various extensions are nearly completed. It is intended at an early date to resume work in tho Waihi Extended and Waihi Gladstono Company's properties, in both of which developments were being carried on before the strike. As to tho intentions of tho Waihi Reefs Consolidated Company, nothing definite is at present known, but as the shaft is down between SOOft and 1000 ft, it is expected that a strong effort will be mado to raise the capital necessary to exploit the property. Situated right on the lino of the Waihi reef system, it would indeed bo a pity to see operations abandoned at this juncture on a property possessing decided possibilities, and with tho greater, part of the shaft sinking completed. WAIHI GRAND JUNCTION. TREATMENT OF QUARTZ RESUMED. WAIHI. January 13. The treatment of quartz was resumed h this morning at tho Waihi Grand Junction Company's battery, and the plant, which has been hung up since the strike commenced on May 13, 1912, is working smoothly and satisfactorily. Tho ore going to the mill is from the storage hoppers, and when this is exhausted supplies will be drawn from the shrinkage and other producing points at and over No. 5 level until No. 6 level is unwatcred. It is anticipated that the water will bo out of tho bottom level about tho middle of March. Reports were circulated in Waihi to-day to the effect that operations at the Karangahako mines (Talisman Consolidated and Crown) had been stopped this morning owing to labour troubles. Your representative accordingly communicated with the superintendent of tlw Talisman Company and gathered that the rumours were entirely without foundation. There is nothing to suggest the likelihood of the suspension of operations at cither of the mines mentioned.