DREDGING FOR GOLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 221, 18 September 1934, Page 3

DREDGING FOR GOLD

WEST COAST ACTIVITIES. I CONSIDERABLE EXTENSION. Gold-dredging activities on the West Coast of the South Island are to be I considerably extended. Several new dredges will be in operation before the end of the present year, and other new dredging companies are in prospect The present high price of gold is an important factor in producing these developments. which, it is expected, will give the West ('oast much more dredging equipment than it has ever bad before. Dredges already in operation are the {big American dredge near Hokitika, the j Okarito and Gillespie’s Beach dredges, { both rn South Westland and working beach claims, tly: Brian Boru dredge, near Greymouth, and the Worksop j dredge, which is working in the upper i Grey district. Within a few weeks the Alosey Creek dredge should be in full operation, and before Christmas, it is expected, the J Maori Gully Company’s plant will be |in use. Another concern which, is to j enter the West Coast field is the Stafford Dredging Company, a company floated in Australia. This company’! dredge is in process of construction. Then there is the Argo (Dredging Company, a small company floated on the West ('oast to operate over an area nea’’ Blackl/all Creek. Another Australian company, with powerful backing, proposes to dredge Barrytown Beach sand areas. The dredge near Hokitika began operations six or seven years ago, and most of the remainder of those already working were introduced within the past few years only. The dredges arc working over a variety of types of country Some are on beach sand—the black sands of the coast —and others are handling rivei gravels. They have been giving satis factory yields.