GOLD PRODUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23515, 1 June 1938, Page 10

GOLD PRODUCTION

STATISTICS FOR LAST YEAR A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE BIG YIELD FROM DREDGING (Per United Press Association! WELLINGTON, May 31. Statistics relating to gold production in New Zealand last year were issued this evening by the Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb). These show that production for 1937 reached a total of 168,691 ounces, valued at £1,279,913. In 1936 the total was 164,575 ounces, valued at £1,233,178. The past year, therefore, shows an increase over 1936 of 4116 ounces, and an increase in value of £46,735. The figures for quartz, alluvial, and dredge mining respectively are;— QUARTZ Ounces £ Hauraki .. 65,811 471,755 West Coast 23,837 191,807 Otago .. .. 999 7,029 ALLUVIAL Hauraki .. West Coast 11,421 84,804 Otago .. .. 15.721 115,220 DREDGE Hauraki .. West Coast 40,660 324,972 , Otago .. .. 10,242 84,326 Grand total 168,691 £1,279,913 “ The most striking feature is the increased production by dredges,” said Mr Webb. “ During 1936 37,269 ounces were won by this method, and in 1937 the quantity won has risen to 50,902 ounces. There is no reason to suppose this improvement will not be maintained, and with the prospect of additional dredges being constructed in Otago and the West Coast districts, the dredging industry promises to attain production on the same scale as the quartz mining industry. The increase of 13,633 ounces in dredge production is offset by the decreases in the totals from alluvial and quartz mining of 6476 ounces and 3041 ounces respectively, thus reducing the overall increase for the year 1937 to 4116 ounces.”