MINING NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8610, 15 March 1897, Page 4

MINING NEWS.

ALBUENIA EAST.

The chief point of development in this mine is the advancement of the north drive upon that bearing of the Vale of Avoca footwall reef. Three shifts of hands are engaged here. In addition to this a long rise is being carried up on the reef, and a height of 8 feet has so far been reached. From this locality the lode, which at times bulges out to 3 feet and then diminishes from 9 to 15 inches, shows gold at each breaking,

THAM ES-HATTRAKI. Taking advantage of the few fine days in the opening part of the past week an effort was made to advance the various works in the different sections with all possible speed, and on the whole very good progress was made, but the rain setting in at a most inopportune time at the close of the week prevented a really good week's progress. The foundations for the capstan and winding plants have been completed; and the excavation for the new chimney stack is also well advanced, and in all probability the bricklayers will commence, its construction to-day. The works in the Deep Sinker section are proceeding as satis • factorily as it is possible under the circumstance". The crosscut in the Deep Levels Consolidated has been suspended for the present to enable a rise to be put through to the surface at a point about 300 feet from the breast. It is anticipated that 100 feet of rising will reach the surface. The reason for carrying out this work is one of sheer necessity, due to the scarcity of air in the cosscut, which is now in considerably over 600 feet. Latterly an old river bed wa3 passed through in the crosscut, and with it water has made its appearance apparently cutting off the good air that existed prior,, to meeting the old river bed. The'rise will, however, alleviate this and allow of the crosscut's advancement.

ORION (Puiuj). The explorations are progressing satisfactorily ia this mine, and besides strong )odes several small leaders have been uncovered running contiguous to the present lodes. A very promising lode measuring fully 7 feet has been uncovered, and Mr Preece purposes pu&hing on with the trenches and intersecting it at intervals along its surface outcrop. The new reef opened up in the vicinity of the Alaska bouiiddary is a fine body of ore, and driving along its course has been commenced for the purpose of meeting with the junctions of the small leaders referred to which strike into this lode at a certain point. TEOJAN (Ptmu).

Very good progress is being made in the advancement of the drive upon tha course of No. 1 reef, and the crosscut, to intersect Nos. 2 and 3 lodes recently uncovered on the surface. The drive upon the course of No. 1 has been extended 10 feet, a good description of country is being met with, and the ore comprising the lode contains some favourable minerals. The crosscut has been advanced 15 feet, and Mr Dare hopes to intersect No. 2 reef in a few feet further driving, but 30 feet will probably have to be driven beyond this to intercept No. 3 reef. This lode it is estimated will prove the most raluable of the three bodie3 so far uncovered. A splendid channel of country exists in this locality, and the lodes are indicative of great permanency.

ADELAIDE. The development of this mine is being steadily advanced, but without any thing of a sensatiocal character being met with. The advancement of the southdrive;, which ha9for its purpose the intersection of the cross-reef, has been vigorously pushed ahead, and has attained a total length of 132 ft from the main crosscut, or 82ft beyond the south fault, Mr Warne anticipates meeting with the lede now or at any time. A superior channel of country has been entered upetf,!' and of a cod-

genial character for gold. The north drive upon the course of the reef has beeu extended » total length of 70ft. The lode is varying in size very much, and is not at all favourable looking, being very flinty in nature, and has not shown gold of late, but this may, however, not continue for any great I length, and it may at any time show jan improvement. Stopinsr over this ;level is steadily proceeding ; colors of gold continue to be seen, and the quartz from this block and the dries will be passed through the May Queen Extended battery, commencing probably to-day. i NEW WHATJ.

At the present juncture the development of this company's mine is directed to th© extension of the drive westward along the bearing of the celebrated Sons of Freedom reef at the Middle Star level, and sinking a main winze upon the same quartz body from that level down to the low, or what is known as the Alfred level. This latter work is being carried out by contract and has now attained a depth of 56ft. The vertical depth from this level to the Alfred is 128 ft, whilst on the und<% lie of the lode it is calculated to be 168 feet. The winze is being carried down for the express purpose of opening up a connection with the Alfred low level, which this company has been steadily advancing for some time past, with a view to intersecting the lodes and more particularly the Sous of Freedom. This was duly accomplished, bat owing to the very great distance from the surface the ventilation became very poor, and of a necessity the further de■velopmelit of the lodes at this point had to be temporarily suspended, pending the connection, which the winze will duly effect. In order to provide for any other contingencies Mr Radford made provision that the winze should be of large dimensions, and from the commencement it has been carried down 6x3 clear cf the timbers. This will be of sufficient space to allow a ladder road being placed in position, and also provide for the transit of material to any of the levels necessary. Regarding the Sons of Freedom reef at the point where sinking was commenced, the lode matter, solid, strong, and highly charged with minerals, measured from 12 feet to 14 feet, but now in the bottom of the winze it has diminished in size to 4 feet, and contains some very favourable indications. The same remark applies to the lode in the westera face at the same level where Mr Radford intends to push it forward to a point where it is expected the junction of the Hatters and Sons of Freedom lodes should eventuate, that is judging by their respective bearings westward. The former body of ore has in the patt been responsible for the production of a large amount of gold, and to become associated with a lode like the Sons of Freedom it is only natural to surmise that the result should be highly important. Regarding the lodes at the Alfred level four very promising ore bodies have been passed through varying in size from 5 to 12fb in thickness all of which are charged.with favourable minerals, but as mentioned above the want of ventilation prevented the work being carried on to advantage, and when the winzs | heles through, Mr Radford intends to commence the further extension of the crosscut into the unexplored regions. Beyond the lodes they have now at hand, fully UOOft can be driven upon the Sons of Freedom reef from this level through a ckss of country which presents a very favourable appearance for the existence of lode 3of a highly auriferous nature, so that when the work of development is resumed here, the exploration of the lodes will be watched with interest,