GOLD DREDGING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21538, 9 January 1932, Page 12

GOLD DREDGING

POSSIBILITY OF REVIVAL REASONS FOR EARLY FAILURES INTERVIEW WITH MR F. W. PAYNE That gold dredging still has distinct possibilities in New Zealand, but that the old methods of guesswork as to values must be replaced by scientific and careful prospecting, was an opinion expressed to a Christchurch Press reporter on Wednesday evening by Mr F. W. Payne, a mining engineer from London. Mr Payne explained that he was visiting the Dominion ostensibly as a tourist, but as a mining engineer specialising in dredging he was naturally much interested in the possibilities of a revival of gold dredging. Mr Payne was a prominent figure in the dredging business in Otago some 20 or 30 years ago. “ The assured and steady value of the metal obtained by dredging is of great moment,” said Mr Payne, “and the existence of an unlimited and safe market for gold makes it particularly attractive at the present time, when so many securities usually considered gilt-edged are being discounted. Gold dredging in Central Otago and on the West Coast in the latter years of the last century, unfortunately, developed rapidly into a boom which, as is usually the case with booms, duly burst, leaving devastation behind it, and some exaggerated feeling of resentment against dredging generally. Nevertheless, in spite of many failures, there were conspicuous successes, and gold dredging may fairly claim to have been born and nurtured through its earlier stages of development in New Zealand.” RISE AND DECLINE OF DREDGING.

The reasons for the rapid rise and decline of gold dredging in the Dominion were fairly obvious, now that the position could be viewed from a distance in proper perspective, he continued. Firstly, the Government regulations as to the holding of dredging areas, particularly on the Clutha River, were not suited to a policy of slow and sure development. Again, early successes induced a feeling of confidence in further ventures, which quickly gave way to almost reckless speculation. Systematic prospecting, by boring or pitting, was not considered necessary, and thus the great majority of the dredging concerns at that

time could be described ’ as purely ventures of faith. •> Another general cause of failure was that the old dredges, evolving rapidly from the most primitive affairs, were still primitive, themselves when compared with modern machines. "

“ Later on,” said Mr Payne, “ further improvements in dredging machinery in New Zealand were rendered almost impossible. This was due to the existence of dozens of unsuccessful dredges, which could be purchased for fewer hundreds than they cost thousands. Thus, any new dredging venture formed, instead of ordering a new and more up-to-date plant, merely purchased one of the existing, dredges, arid moved it to its fresh claim. In the meantime some engineers and 1 dredging men left New Zealand for California, where, not being hampered by the existence of old plant to be worked off, improved methods rapidly developed. For some time, no doubt, the United States were distinctly in the lead as regards dredging. EXPERIMENTS IN MINING. “About 1912 a new dredge was placed on the market by an English firm; it was the first dredge designed for tin mining in the Malay States. At the time this was looked upon as a risky experiment, due mainly to the hard limestone bedrock which, in many places, was of a pinnacle formation. But, despite all drawbacks and pessimistic prophecies, this pioneer dredge proved a success, and demonstrated the possibilities of tin dredging in the Malay States. This form of mihing rapidly displaced other and more expensive methods. Improvements and developments in size proceeded apace, until in 1929 two dredges commenced working in ground 130 feet below the water-line, proving very successful even at this depth; so much so that a still larger dredge on similar lines was ordered*. This machine, which is now being erected in the Malay States, has a total displacement of something over 4000 tons. In the matter of capacity 300,000 yards ,pei’ month, and more, is the output of some of the larger dredges.” ■ ENGLAND IN THE LEAD. England could now fairly claim to be in the lead with regard to dredge mining and the supply of dredging machinery, he continued. At the present time the Malay States were suffering from a severe slump in the price of the metal, and with a view to preventing a further decline in price tlie dredges were now operating under a restriction scheme which cut down normal output by about half. Tin dredging had had an extraordinarily prosperous career during the last 10 or 12 years, but under the adverse conditions now obtaining gold dredging as a commercial proposition was being ceaselessly discussed in financial circles in London.

Thus the question arose as to .the, application of modern methods to the goldfields of New Zealand and a possible revival of dredging in the country. TIN DREDGING MORE COSTLY. . The working costs of a tin dredge were ; somewhat :in excess of the costs of gold; dredging, due chiefly to the more compli-' eated appliances required for tin saving,’ but these expenses had been steadily : and consistently reduced- by Improvements in" machinery and methods, and were now, on an : efficient. dredge' of fair ; capapity,• from 2Jd to 3d per yard. The price of tin at the time Mr Payne left 1 London was about £l3O p.er ton. It was still: possible to :«ecure areas in Siam and Burma with a value of 11b weight" per yard (or Is 2d in cash) even under present, low prices... , - ' 1 “To make gold dredging propositions. more attractive to financiers than tin ventures, it will be seen-that values must be quite good,” concluded Mr Payne. “It becomes a question as to, what areas can be secured in New Zealand which .will compete with tin, even under present economic conditions. Promoters must; also' be willing to accept reasonable rewards and to grant reasonably long options’ to permit of careful investigation, and of check boring by those interested iii financing the ventures.”-