KING SOLOMON MINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 6

KING SOLOMON MINE

ABANDONMENT THIS WEEK RICH GOLD WASH NOT REMOVED Within a few days the King Solomon deep lead gold mine at Waikaia will bo completely abandoned. The work of withdrawing the plant from the mine has been proceeding steadily during the past fortnight (says the Southland Times), and practically everything of value removable except two of the pumps has been taken out. These pumps will be removed almost immediately. and the mine will then be abandoned. As a considerable amount of water flows through the mine, the lower workings will fill quickly, and will cause the destruction of the mine. The drives in the mine were cut through soft alluvial ground, and heavy timbering was required at all stages to prevent the mine from falling in. When the drives become filled with water they will probably collapse within a short time. An area of rich gold-bearing wash at the foot of the shaft was left unworked when the i 'no was opened in order to protect the shaft, and a suggestion was made that this wash should be removed before the mine was abandoned. It w’as found, however, that the mining regulations would not permit this action, which would endanger the main shaft. The employees then made representations to the company that they should be allowed to undertake the removal of this wash for their own benefit. The company considered the question, and decided that its responsibility would not allow it to grant the permission, and so when the mine is finally abandoned it will be with the knowledge that at the bottom of the shaft lies a quantity of rich wash which might yield a substantial amount of gold. The disposal of the plant will be undertaken as soon as possible.