MOUNT MORGAN MINE.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 13

MOUNT MORGAN MINE.

Mtt J. Button's Gold-saving Process.

Mr J. W. Sutton returned on Monday from Mount Morgan, where he has been workiug his new gold-saving proce3s. During an interview with a representative of this journal on Tuesday he stated that hs had a machine steadily at work for three weeks, and although it was a STiall one, only capable of treating sewb at a tiaae, it was quite large enough to clearly demonstrate to all concerned, that ifca capa-

bilities are very great. It seems that it is really only those who are acquainted with the present process in operation at Mount Morgan who can understand the usefulness of Mr Sutton's invention. An outsider would not understand the saving effected by the new machine unless the one was shown against th 9 other. For instance, v.ith the ordinary kaolin ores which they are treating at Mount M organ now, under the new gold-saving process the stuff is taken direct trom the crushing machine without roasting, thus making a clear saving in the cost of roasting of 10s psr ton. The material is then treated for three hours in the cblorinator, which by the j^resent process takes from 48 to 72 hours. In the next stage Mr Sutton's machine precipitates the gold and produces the metal in about one hour, which in the ordinary process of charcoal precipitation takes about two months. There is no waste in the precipitation of the gold in the new machine, while there is always waste going on in the old one, as well as considerable waste iv the burning of the charcoal. While at Mount Morgan Mr Sutton had an opportunity of inspecting the mine and its workings. He considers the outside public have no conception whatever of the wealth of the mine. They have at the present time in view not thousands but millions of tons of kaolin ore that will run from l^oz to 3oz to the ton, which will be enough to keep the present works iv opsration for 25 or 30 yerrs. In addition to this there is the last new mundic lode which has been discovered. '1 his lode is really an immense one, measuring roughly 128 ft in thickness. There are millions or tons in sight, which will average about lOoz to the ton. The muadic stone will require to be roasted, as soon as they get the necessary appliances for roasting in order. Mr Sutton found a great many changes had been made in the mine during the past month. The general manager has resigned, and the mine is being worked, he considers, in a more economical and methodical manner. The chairman of directors told Mr Sutton that already they were doing the same work as before at a saving of £15,000 a year in their pay-sheet. The working of the mine also has been subdivided into sections. Mr G. H. Irvine, late of Brisbane, is now in charge o" the treatment department, and the company are negotiating for a man to take charge of the mine proper. Ihe engineer's department is to be under another manager. Each man will have entire charge of his own department, and will be responsib'e to the managing director, who may be chairman for the time being. The present chairman or managing director is Mr V. M. Dowling, of Rockhampton. He spends at least two days a week at tae mine, and has taken every means to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the whole of the workings. Mr Sutton says that if his process is adopted it will be impossible for any robberies to take place, the whole of the gold by his machinery being produced under cover, no one having access except the man appointed to manage the apparatus. — Queenslander.