IN WAR DISCARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 308, 31 December 1942, Page 3

IN WAR DISCARD

GOLD MINING IN AMERICA With Ihe United States and Canadian Governments issuing orders drastically restricting gold-mining operations, another leading industry definitely has been cast into the background for the duration of the war, says the New York Times. This decision, which probably’ was taken after full discussion by both Governments, has thrown into the discard the old idea that gold is needed for the waging of a war. Last year, the world’s gold production was 40.800,000 ounces, and at 35 dollars an ounce it had a value of 1,428,000,000 dollars. Of the total output, the United States accounted for almost 6.000,000 ounces or a little mote than 14 per cent. Canadian production amounted to 5,325,000 ounces, or about. 13 per cent. The Union of South Africa, the premier producing area. lasi year had a gold output of 14,400,000 ounces, or roughly 35 per cent, of Ihe total. The gold output of the British Empire was slightly more than 21,000,000 ounces, or almost 60 per cent. o( the total. The reason given for the decision of the United Stales and Canada Io curtail gold mining was that it would enable minors to enter into other non-ferrous mining operations which would be of more aid to the war effort. In addition, there would be a sharp saving in explosives used for blasting as well as in machinery (or lifting ore i.o the surface and also for processing it. That the gold miners will enter other non-ferrous mines in large numbers is considered doubtful by both gold-mining and copper executives. It* is explained that a largA per centage of the employees of gold mines arc more than 50 years old and have lived most of their lives near the mines. It is considered likely That they will seek employment in other fields where the rate of pav is larger or stay near their present homos and try to eke out an existence. However, in an effort to divert, these mi.vrs where they will best aid the war effort, the War Manpower Commission of the U.S.A, has ordered that no former gold miner may get a job west of the Mississippi River without approval by the United States Employment Service and that the Employment Service assign him only to a non-forrous mining job, except in cases of "undue hardship.”