THE CARRICK ANTIMONY MINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 22

THE CARRICK ANTIMONY MINE.

The 'representative of the Cromwell Arguß having paid a. visit to the antimony mine at Carrick Range, opened out by Messrs Buchan and Pryde, writes as follows :— During the' past seven weeks the proprietors have'had 12 men engaged opening out and exploring the mine, under the guidance of Mr J. Pryde. Mr Buchan and Mr Mackay (the latter gentleman conneoted with the Wellington Geological Department, and acting on behalf of the Government) have been closely engaged' 'the last 10 days making a geological eurvey of 'the miue. . . . „ No. 4 lode is ; the latest discovery, and is likety to prove, the main body of ore. It is cleared on the "surface for a distance or lUUtt, and shows an immense body m of rich ore varying 'from 3ft to 2ft in thickness, .'while its depth lis only a matter of speculation at the present time This, however, will shortly be proved by the tunnelling operations now proceeding. At the present time it is estimated that this No, 4 lode shows fully 300 tons of ore in sight, and we Hhould not deem this an over-estimate. Men are now engaged stripping this seam in a westerly direction. Along the entire course laid bare the ore looks extremely promising, and we tested it with the hammer at various parts- itfith the same result. No. 1 shaft pn No. l'lbde is down 50ft, and from this section three or ,f our tons of dross ore was at surface, and showed a (high percentage of mineral. No. 2 lode is likewise opened out on the surface' for a length of 60ft,' and is quite ' equal to" the others in appearance. Consider- j ing that operations have extended over only seven' weens,' a. very , large amount of work has be'en'dohe' in opening out and proving the mine, 1 ' and further exploitation is likely to prove' the' great extent and permanence of the -variouS' lodes,' Indeed this was in a ' measure proved by subsequent examination. Leaving the hill-top, Mr Buchan conducted us eastward to the 'bed of Pryde's Creek, to a point some 800 yards direct from the workings just visited; Here we found a' lode fully 2ft 6in in width laid bare, and showing ore everij.richer in [appearance than that yielded by the upper workings. Mr Buchan informed us that tnis find was at first thought to be merely a slip, but bn,putting in a cut the lode was found to be complete within well-defined walls, and 1 bearings taken by Mr Mackay Bho\jr that it is exactly on the same level as the hffl 'workings, towards which it is .trending. The ore ! takeri out of this cut was, as we have aaid, richer in appearance than'the other,and MrjJßuctian informed" us' that by analysis it gives ,10 percent, more antimony— 6o percent. For Pryde's'Creek' ore as against 50 per cent, all round for. the hill, ore being the estimate. It is intende'djto'put in,a tunnel from the; creek 30 belaw the existing cut, 'working towards the lodes already op'ehed^'outi. ,, ' , , From the above somewhat" imperfect sketph of operaiibns'it will' ,be seen- that the anticipations of 'the proprietors are',.Ukely ( to r be'mor'e than' fulfilled.' ' TKatj 1 tHey have a most valuable property in this- miiie' is .beyond dispute; and the^feherby 'they have, already displayed, with the results obtained, is only the beginning of whaT^we^elteve'-will at no distant^ day be a great mining industry, to > the district. That the ore is there, in almost illimitable quantities, is a fact beyond question j and the value of the mine maybe judged wheriitf is" stated that "the ore 6t grass is .estimated to,' be worth £22 , per ton.<t When smelted, froni £55 to £60 per ton is the market price of the metal ; so that, with smelting -works in the district^ ■ the ".star" metal ■ wiU 'yield returns giving a large profit to the proprietors; ' The mine itself is bo situated that it can be, worked at a minimum of expense, and the # fact that there is no water to contend with is also a favourable' feature. We understand the Company intend erecting smelting-works in the vicinity of Macandrew Bridge, and have arranged for the purchase of Mr Pryde's coal-pit, which is handy* for the' supply of fuel. The fact that the proprietors intend going to this heavy expense is , indisputable evidence that they are, satisfied with the prospects ahead of them, and the district may be congratulated that one of our mineral resources is at last about to be rendered of commercial value. We have endeavoured to' describe the operations, so far, on the Carrick antimony mine with as little enthusiasm as possible, but at the same time the conviction is forced upon us that a field of wealth and prosperity is now .being opened out that cannot fail to yield a rich harvest to the owners, and a' new item of prosperity to the Cromwell-district.