C.—2

APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT —, « —

APPENDIX A REPORTS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES

The Inspecting Engineer op Mines to the Under-Secretary op Mines Sir, — Wellington, 15th May, 1944. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and stone-quarries for the year ended 31st December, 1943. Owing to the necessity to conserve space, and other circumstances, no details are given on gold-mining, nor, as in former years, are any statistics included regarding the production from quartz-mining, dredge mining, or alluvial mining.

ACCIDENTS In 1943 one fatal and four serious non fatal accidents occurred in or about metalliferous mines, at which 1,562 persons were ordinarily employed.

The fatality occurred 011 the Ngahere Gold-dredge, a workman being dragged into a chute by a revolving screen. Of the serious non-fatal accidents, one was in a Glenorchy scheelite-mine, where two miners were injured by an explosion of gelignite during drilling operations. • GOLD-MINING No new quartz mines were opened up during the year. All of the fifteen dredges, except the Okarito, which were operating in the West Coast District at the end of 1942 continued throughout 194-3. The Okarito Dedge ceased working early in December owing to the low values of the area then being dredged. The Waipuna Dredge recommenced operations in April. In the Southern District the Lowburn Dredge continued to operate throughout 1943, and the Molyneux Dredge until sth March, since when it has been tied up. The refitting of the Clutha Dredge was not completed, and the Rainbow and Nevis Crossing dredges did not operate. PROSECUTIONS One information was laid against a dredgemaster for failing to make a report as to the safety of the dredge, and a conviction was obtained. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD AND SILVER Arsenic. —About 8 tons of arsenic, valued at £119, was recovered at the treatment plant of the Blackwater Mine. Asbestos. —From 1,747 cubic yards of serpentine, 187 tons of asbestos fibre was recovered from the Upper Takaka field. Bentonite and Fuller's Earth.—At Porangahau 232 tons of bentonite, worth £1,015, was mined. At Kamo 124 tons of Fuller's earth, worth £437, was produced. Diatomite. —At Kamo 16 tons of diatomaceous earth, worth £21, and at Ngongotaha about 19 tons, worth £89, were produced. In Otago 93 tons of diatomaceous earth, valued at £140, was produced. Iron. —From near Whangarei 2,779 tons of limonite, valued at £3,394, was mined, and at Okaihau, North Auckland, 1,893 tons, worth £5,442, was won. In the Otiakaka district 316 tons of limonite, valued at £190, was quarried.

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Fata! Accidents. . Serious Non-fatal Accidents. < "" I3P ' Number of s t f Number of i Number of Separate Separate Persons Accidents. Accidents. injured. Falls of ground .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 1 2 Explosives Miscellaneous, on surface .. . . . . .. 1 1 3 ;j Miscellaneous, underground Totals .. . . . . .. . . 1 ]. 4 5