MINING PRODUCTION,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16839, 15 September 1922, Page 4

MINING PRODUCTION,

COLD OUTPUT INCREASED. (Specie! to the *' Star.'’'* WELLINGTON September 14 Although no new goldfield?, were discovered last year, the Minister of Mines in his annual statement mentions with satisfaction that the increased production of gold and silver amounted to 77,2250 z, the totai being 001,8750 z, of a value of £547. Dividends paid by This increase may to a large extent be attributed to the encouragement given to work low-grade ore bodies or deposits by the higher value paid in England for gold, owing to the low exchange on the papei pound sterling. During 192; the average price per ounce fine unfortunately declined, increased gold production during the year would have been much greater. were discovered. mining operations being confined to known ore reserves Scheelite, which brought i:3 8s per unit during the war, now stands at 9s, and there was no export. la6t year. Drilling for petroleum at Waipatiki and Waitangi in the North Island and Kotuku near Greymouth produced negative results. Coal production totalled 1,809,095 tons, being a decrease on the .previous year of 34,000 tons, due to overseas imports.. It is noted that the Dominion coal consumption, which i- 2,300,000 tons yearly, is being maintained, notwithstanding the increased utilisation of hydro-electricity. Considerable use continues to be made of the Government prospecting drills. During the year five parties employed those drills, an aggregate of 4670 ft being drilled in search of coal, cinnabar and alluvial gold. Workable coal seams were proved at Glen tunnel and Bush Gully, Canterbury. and payable alluvial gold deposit at Tucker Elat. Kanieri. During the year ended March 31. 1922. twenty - nine approved prospecting parties were granted subsidies, amounting to £I9BO, of which £502 was expended during the year in " addition to £3261 authorised during previous years. Upon these operations sixty five persons were intermittently employed. The results attained by the five parties were satisfactory.