MINING NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8619, 25 March 1897, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

PROGRESS CASTLE ROCK.

EICH TRIAL PARCEL.

A parcel of quartz—evidently picked stone —from the Progress Castle Rock mine, Coromandel, has just been treated at the School of Mines with rich results. A ton from the same place treated in November of last year gave an extraction of £19 per ton. The report of the Director (Mr F. B. Allan, M.A.) on the present parcel is as follows:—

" The ore consisted of bluish quartz with strings of quartz in grey and red-coloured country, and showed coarse leafy gold in patches. The ore was dried, dry crushed sampled and assayed. Assay value : Gold 78*zs 7dwtß 19grs per ton; silver, 4Oozs lldwts 15grs; value, £317 2s2d. 5501bs of the dry crushed ore were subjected to hot pan amalgamation and yielded 2 "ozs 6dwts2lgrs of melted bullion, worth j670 11s Bd. This is equivalent to a saying of ,£307 12s 3d per ton or 97 per cent, of the assay value of tha ore. The ore contained a considerable amount of arsenical pyrites which made it necessary to exercise special care in the treatment."

(By our Special Reporter.)

DOVEE CASTLE (Punini)

Owing to the works in this mine upon the reefs being rather close to the surface, the lodes have latterly become very much split up and altogether disorganised, consequently it is the intention to lay out a scheme for the development of the lodes at a much deeper level, and where it is anticipated the quartz bodies will be found more compact and defined in character. So far as the work has advanced veiy encouraging prospects of gold have been met with, sufficient to warrant a practical bulk test being made to determine their respective values. For this purpose preparations are now in progress for the transit of the parcels to the Thames.

PUEIEI GKM. CO. (Puriri).

The development of this company's mine is being actively carried on, and, although nothing sensationally rich has so far been met with, the class of quartz coming to hand is of a very average grade, and may at any time make a rich deposit.

HAWKES' FREEHOLD (Tapu). Operations in this mine are being vigorously carried on, and the chief aim here is to continue the present level forward to the junction of the mineral lode, and the main Sheridan reef, which should be met with at a good substantial depth from the surface, and in a good channel of country.

CONSERVATIVE (Takaru). The No. 1 level in operation north upon the course of No. 1 reef is now entering upon a mote favorable class of country since passing through the black flint foundation. The manager is hopeful of a still further improve* ment as the work advances. The lode looks promising, and shows very good mineral indications.

NEW CALEDONIAN. To-day we were shown a large plan of this mine prepared by the firm of Messrs J. I. Phillips and Co., Surveyors and Mining Engineers of Auckland and Thames. The plan is of large dimensions, and measures 6ft x 4ft, and is most artistically prepared, shewing the different lodes, and the vatious heights of levels, and backs available. On the whole, it is a plan that would instruct and enlighten anjrone who possesses only a slight knowledge of mining, and the different peculiar features of the various lode trends through the country. Very great credit is due to Mr A. J. Allom, junr., the firm's local manager, for the careful manner in which he has prepared his field of work and noted the various lodes and features traversing the estate. We might mention that the property oc • cupies an excellent position and is surrounded on all sides by mines of high repute, as has been clearly shown on the plan. It is bouuded towards the north and west by the old Fame

and Fortune, Nonpareil, and St. Hippo, towards the south and east by the Cumberland, Karaka Queen and Karata mines. In the past good returns of gold have been obtained at various periods, but no attempt has ever been made to develop the numerous lodes at the deeper areas, and it is for this special object that the shareholders are making their effort to raise the required capital.