2

a—2.

I. PRODUCTION OF MINERALS.

The following statement shows the value of the exports from metal-mines and kauri-gum fields from the Ist January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1912 : —

The considerable decline in the production of bullion from our gold-mines has been to a great extent due to the disastrous strikes, by which the majority of the most important quartz-mines in the Dominion, situated at Waihi, Blackwater, and Reefton, were rendered idle from 13th May to 2nd October. The shortage in the value of bullion during that period may be estimated at about £450,000. There has also been a decline in the value of the gold-production by dredges, amounting to £40,567 ; but this branch of mining is long past its zenith, and the annual decrease was anticipated. Small increases in the value of the production from the kauri-gum fields and scheelite-mines have occurred, together with a substantial increase in the coal-output.

11. PERSONS EMPLOYED.

The following statement shows the number of persons ordinarily employed in or about the metalliferous mines of the Dominion during the year : —

111. ACCIDENTS. It is satisfactory to report that the marked decline in the number of fatalities at metal-mines during the previous year was repeated in 1912. This gratifying result may be justly attributed to increased all-round vigilance, to a certain extent created by the investigations and report of the Mines Royal Commission of 1911. Of the four fatal accidents which happened, and by which five lives wore lost, during 1912, none could be charged to serious official neglect. The fatality at the May Queen Mine, Thames, by which two miners were asphyxiated by black-damp, was of a remarkable character, and there still remains some doubt as to the place of origin of the fatal gas. A brief description of this and other fatal accidents appears in this report.

The following is a summary of persons killed or seriously injured in metalliferous mines during 1912 :—

Classification. 1911. 191.2. Increase or Decrease. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1912. Gold Silver Other minerals Kauri-gum £ 1,816,782 131,587 22,200 395,707 £ 1,345,131 / 84,739 20,571 401,305 £ 471,651* 46,848* 1,629* 5,598+ £ 80,599,044 1,834,848 456,555 16,210,457 Totals 2,366,276 1,851,756 514,530* 99,100,904 * Decrease. t Increase.

Classification. Inspection Distri 3t. Southern. Total, 1912. Northern. West Coast. jold and silver Iron 3cheelite 2,681 1,097 9 1,384 "68 5,162 9 68 Totals for 1912 2,681 1,106 1,452 5,239

Expl isions. £ ails °f In S. Ground. lafts. MiHoellaneous Underground. About Dredges. | Sur face. To ;al. Inspection District. 13 2 3 2.1 cz-> CD is <U O 3 CD M 1" | S CO QJ o a CD L_J <d O — k> ! - — CD So to aj O CO ai CD -d 3 J5"d o 3 Northern Vest Coast louthern 1 2 2 1 3 2 .:. 1 4 1 7 2 1 2 ... "i Totals 4 1 3 1 1 5 9 Being at the rate of 0-95 fi .taliti ies per 1,000 pe: •sons empL ■yed.