47

C.-^B

The chief characteristic of the plant is its extreme simplicity, and the ease of access to any portion of it, whilst the absence of any subdivisions or partitions within the main building allow of the whole of the plant being constantly under the eye of the operator. The system employed of running the solutions into parallel launders instead of pipes enables the solution from each vat to be separately and readily sampled, and any mishap may be at once detected. The usual method of procedure is as follows : Side-tipping trucks are run from the tailings-pit over the top of the vat to be charged. The contents of the trucks are tipped on to cross-bearers resting on struts, which serve to break the fall of the tailings, and to divide them equally over the bottom of the vat. Both tramway and bearers are supported entirely independently of the vats, so that no vibration may be communicated to the latter. A charge consists of sixty-five truck-loads—about 33 tons, dry weight —and, as soon as the vat is full, " strong " solution, about 6 tons of 0-7 per cent., is run on to the top from the elevated reservoir. Provision is made for either upward or downward percolation, but the latter is usually adopted. The solution is now permitted to gravitate through the mass of the charge, and to eventually percolate through the false bottoms into the series of launders, in which it is conducted to No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 extractor, according to its strength in bullion and cyanide. About twenty-four hours after the " strong" solution, about an equal amount of " weak" solution (025 per cent.) from the sumps is pumped on and allowed to gravitate. The residues are now washed with about 10 tons of water, in two charges, which are rapidly drawn off by suction, and which displace the " weak " solution and leave the residues free of either dissolved bullion or cyanide. The solutions run from the extractor-boxes to the sumps, whence they are pumped to the reservoir or percolators, to be used over again for sluicing or weak solutions as required. The slimes from the zinc are cleaned up and melted fortnightly.

Statement showing the Results of Mining Operations in the Ohinemuri-Hauraki District for the Year ended 31st March, 1894.

Te Aroha. There are still a few men working on this field, but only partial success has as yet attended their labours. Sometimes a patch of good ore is found, but in many cases it cuts out very quickly, so that while a claim may pay very well for working for a few months, it takes some time again before another patch of payable ore is struck. It may be said that the shot of auriferous stone got in the New Find Mine has been the only one of any great extent, and the one where the great bulk of the gold from this field was obtained. Mr. H. Adams is now the sole proprietor of this mine, and of the only crushing-plant on the field. The success attending his operations since the property was purchased from the Te Aroha Gold and Silver Company has not been very great. He is carrying on from year to year with the hope that another rich patch of auriferous ore will be struck, which will repay him yet for all his labour.

Averi Numb< Mei emplo age er of n For Owners. FcrTi •ibuters. dlings. Locality and Name of Mine. n iyed. o Jjjj a O u C 3 0 a i I o i i g o . a a c Bullion >btained. Bullion obtained. Bullion obtained. Area. CO m a Amalgamation. Cyanide. Amalgamation. Cyanide. Ohinemuri County. Maratoto —Maratoto A. B. P. 18 0 0 3 Tons. 200 Oz. dwt. 2,349 5 2,349 5 Oz. dwt. Tons. Oz. dwt. Tons. Cz. dwt. 18 0 0 3 200 ■ Karangahake— Woodstock Crown Earl of Glasgow Diamond Sundries 72 1 18 108 0 0 27 0 26 9 3 12 16 112 3 2 10 2 i 568 4,544 20 9 1,517 0 '35 0 38 0 11,180 15 59 71 C 217 1 16 143 3 5,141 1,590 0 11,130 15 59 71 0 Owharoa — Smile of Fortune Cadinan 12 a 2 29 2 20 6 2 3 1,023 33 112 0 38 0 230 85 10 42 1 22 8 3 1,056 150 0 230 85 10 Waitekauri —Sundries Waitekauri North—Golden Gross .. Komata —Komata Company 26 0 20 67 0 16 28 20 30 8 120 600 1,708 130 0 1,632 0 8,996 0 1,075 5,610 0 5,610 0 93 0 36 78 8 2,428 1 10,758 0 1,075 Waihi— Waihi Company Silverton Sundries I I 327 0 0 83 0 38 195 4 9 19,343 115 31,018 0 3,643 5 200 1,425 321 8 *1,126 0 750 0 410 0 38 208 19,458 28,283 31,768 0 46,615 5 3,643 5 14,774 0 Totals 1,625 1,447 8 781 0 32 440 14 280 156 10 2,700 7,057 8 * Bullion f: Note. —The areas shown do not inclut •ora Waihi le the wholi !ompa otthi my's e lam tailings treated by Ci 1 occupied, but only tssel Company. ;hat from which thi returns are di irived.