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The total value of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals, including kaurigum, produced up to end of 1000 was £76,104,981. nAInMR . * As the value of gold and silver produced in 1899 was £440,213 in excess of that of 1898 it will be seen that the decreased production for 1900 (representing a value of £75,530) is not serious, and is accounted for by the cessation of operations at a few quartz-mines, and temporary suspension—due to developmentwork and alterations to plant, &c—at others ; also to the conditions (due principally to the recent dredging boom) which prevailed during the year in regard to alluvial mining. . . , , t The latest returns from the Customs (as set out in the following table of comparisons) go to show that the yield of precious metals is again increasing, the export value of gold and silver for the first six months of the present year being largely in excess not only of the corresponding period of last year, but actually of that of the first six months of the year 1899 to the extent of £99,787 (gold, £94,389 ; silver, £5,398).

Comparative Statement of Gold and Silver entered for Export during the first half of the Years 1900 and 1901.

The amended Regulations made under " The Mining Act, 1898," now make provision for the gold returns being furnished to the department up to the 81st day of December in each year, and it is intended that in the future the lable No *2 shall show the export quantities and values for the calendar year instead of the financial year. This year the table has been compiled as hitherto, but an additional Table (No. 3) shows the exports of gold for the nine months ending the 31st December, 1900. GOLD EXPORT. The quantity of gold entered for exportation through the Customs for the past financial year was 392,976 oz., valued at £1,516,482, the respective districts contributing as follows :— Auckland, 166,049 oz.; Marlborough, 247 oz.; Nelson, 5,126 oz.; West Coast, 85,779 oz. ; Canterbury, 22 oz.; Otago and Southland, 135,753 oz. GOLD-MINING. Quartz. This method of gold-mining is the only form carried on in the North Island, all gold of a payable character—so far as is yet known—being associated with quartz in situ. During the year a considerable amount of development-work has been done at several of the principal mines in the Upper Thames District, and it is confidently expected that, as a result of the liberal and apparently judicious manner in which capital has been expended, the returns from this portion of the goldfield will show a decided advance within the next year or two There is an aspect of permanence in the works undertaken at Waihi, Waitekauri, and Karangahake, which augurs well for the future of these places, and on the completion of the branch railway now being constructed from Paeroa to Waihi the mining industry will be materially benefited, and especially so in regard to the supply of fuel for the requirements of the mines. At the Lower Thames there is, unfortunately, nothing to report m the direction of the actual development of the deeper levels. Owing to financial reasons the sinking of the Thames-Hauraki shaft was suspended at the latter end of last year, and so far no satisfactory understanding has been arrived at

Half-year ending 30th June, Half-year ending 30th June, 1900. 1901. Increase for first half of 1901. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Gold ... Silver ... Oz. 179,303 144,782 & 694,859 15,907 Oz. 217,478 226,267 £ 844,888 24,725 Oz. 38,775 81,485 150,029 8,818