PROSPEROUS “SILVER CITY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 19

PROSPEROUS “SILVER CITY”

BROKEN HILL’S ORE RESERVES WILL LAST FOR MANY YEARS (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, Nov. 11. The mining industry in Broken Hill, the “ silver-lead mountain ” in the far west of New South Wales, has never appeared more prosperous. Big building undertakings have been established, and modern machinery has been installed on a scale never surpassed in the history of the field. Most mining fields have a limited life, but even after 50 years the richness and quantity of the Broken Hill ore appear inexhaustible. On present indications this great wealth-producing centre will continue to provide work and wages for more than 4000 men, and maintain its present population of 27,000 for many years to come. Broken Hill has had its pessimists, but none but a most daring man would now forecast the collapse of the “ silver city.’ : Mining may end between block 10 and the British mine—there is very little work going on now—but many generations will continue to win wealth from the extreme northern and southern ends of the field —the south, Zinc Corporation, and north mines. Diamond drilling has been carried on in those mines, and it is known that ore bodies which should last for 30 years have been revealed, and that is far from the end. The south mine is now most modern. Electric winding engines have been installed on the main shafts, and adjacent to the shafts are modern breaking plantr and appliances, including conveyor belts for taking the ore to the recentlyconstructed mill. Giant skips bring the ore to the surface. North Broken Hill, Ltd., is determined to keep pace with metallurgical practice, and excavation work is being carried out for a new gravity-cum-flotation plant on the site of the old de Bavey’s plant The ore in the north mine is comparatively rich in silver values, and profits are affected considerably by revenue from that source. A transformation has been worked at the north mine since the present general manager. Mr O. H. Woodward, took over Unsightly buildings have been removed from the landscape, and the old timber and iron has been given to the Unemployed Union for constructing buildings at their wood-getting camp at Warung, on the Sydney line. Last winter hundreds of the unemployed sat by fires made from wood provided by Mr Woodward. At the extreme southern end of the line of lode the wealthy Zinc Corporation is pushing ahead with an ambitious works programme A new shaft is being sunk, and from this will be hauled the bulk of the output of the mine. Centralisation is the slogan of the company, and within 12 months all service shops, change houses and administrative offices will be in operation next to the main shaft. With great speed contractors are erecting the new service buildings near the shaft, and then will come administrative buildings and change houses for the men that will embrace everything that is modern.