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The gold entered for export during the year ended 31st December, 1909, was 506,371 oz., valued at £2,006,900, being an increase of £1,975 as compared with the production of the previous year. The silver produced during the year shows a decided improvement, being an increase of £5,535 as compared with^l9oB. COAL. The large increase in the quantity of coal exported during the year is very satisfactory, and would be very important if the trade could be'fmaintained and gradually increased, the quantity being 201,685 tons, as against 100,502 tons during the previous year ; and the value £183,961, as against £85,846 in 1908. SUMMARY. The following table shows the quantity and value of the various minerals exported annually during the last two years, and also the quantity and value of New Zealand coal used for home consumption during the same periods : —
£ Total value of production for 1909.. .. .. .. .. 3,791,133 1908.. .. ... .. 3,535,677 Total increase .. .. .. .. .. £255,456 GOLD-MINING. In reviewing this branch of the industry it is very satisfactory for me to inform the House that our goldfields have kept well up to their previous records, and that the past year's operations have produced increased returns as compared with that of 1908. The Auckland and Nelson Mining Districts show decreases, and the West Coast, Otago, and Southland Districts show increases. The yield of gold, to which must be added silver, which in this country is a product of our gold-mines, shows an increase of £7,510 as compared with that of 1908.
Year ending Produot. 31st December, 1908. 31st December, 1909. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Gold .. .. .. .. .. 506,423 oz. 2,004,925 Silver .. .. .. 1,731,336 „ 175,337 Copper-ore .. .. .. 13 tons j 275 Manganese-ore .. .. .. '■ Mixed minerals.. .. .. .. l,690fj tons 16,179 Colonial coal exported, including that used 100,502 ,, 85,846 by Home steamers Colonial coal used in New Zealand.. 1,760,473 „ 880,236 Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. 5,530 „ 372,798 Coke .. .. .. .. .. 2 „ 4 Antimony .. .. .. .. 5 „ 73 Shale .. .. .. .. .. 1 „ 4 506,371 OZ. 1,813,830 „ 5 tons 6 „ l,836f „ 201,685 „ £ 2,006,900 180,872 100 29 11,709 183,961 1,709,562 „ 8,250 „ 22 „ 2 „ 854,781 552,698 23 60