NEVIS SHALE DEPOSITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25456, 10 February 1944, Page 4

NEVIS SHALE DEPOSITS

INVESTIGATION DEFERRED In reply to representations by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce respecting the Nevis shale deposits, the following letter has been received from the Under-Secretary of the Mines Department:— “As mentioned in my letter to you of July 16, 1942, negotiations were undertaken to arrange, if possible, a bulk test of the Nevis shale at the works of the National Oil Proprietary, Limited, at Glen Davis, New South Wales. The good offices of the Minister of Mines in New South Wales were enlisted by the Minister of Mines in New Zealand, but the report of the technical officers of the National Oil Proprietary, Limited was to the effect that a practical test, to be of value, would require a bulk sample of at least 200 tons, and this could be arranged only at considerable inconvenience, as alterations would have to be made to the plant and equipment. As this would result in a loss of output, the Minister of Mines in New Zealand felt that the matter could not be pursued further, particularly as the technical officers further remarked that, in view of the low oil content of the shale, it is difficult to see how the retorting of such low-grade material could be a practical proposition even under war-time conditions.

“The Government was forced to the decision some time ago that, owing to the shortage of technical personnel and equipment, the exploitation generally of the shale deposits of New Zealand was impossible under war conditions, and in view of the reoort received from New South Wales it is apparent that even such investigational work as bulk testing must await the termination of the war. Accordingly. the Government intends taking no 'action in respect of the Nevis shale deposits until after the war.”