C— 2

1945 NEW ZEALAND

MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. J. O'BRIEN, ACTING MINISTER OF MINES

Mr. Speai honour to present to Parliament the annual statement on. the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1944. MINERAL PRODUCTION The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metalliferous mines, quarries, and coal-mines during 1944 and 1943 : —

1944. 1943 - Mineral. I Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* 470,568 o Z . 1,518,119 429,936 o«. 1,567,614 latinum 16 tons "284 8 tons 119 " 17 „ 340 187 „ 3,985 £ sb f t08 + 360 1,640 232 „ 1,015 3ST " " " :: e.ees ;; 2,523 „ 3, 63 i S ' 2,805,970 „ 2,805,970 2,787,868 „ 2,787,868 1 " + , " " ' 55 94 128 „ 250 sr m it a e ce0usearth :: :: :: ».«j :: w 3 f 2 j » Iron-ore !! " " 6,036 '/, 11,550 4,988 '/, 9,026 Magnesite 103 " " 5lJ 2,166 Manganese-ore lb . "292 Kirfinte " " " • 19 > 931 tons 20 ' 551 9 ' 241 " W ' 34 ° Pumice :: " 2 ' 931 » 11 ■> 85 ® 3 ' 422 » 12,485 ? uartz | te •' 37 711 '.I 10,373 61,645 „ 50,637 S e . r P •• •• '■ •• 24 319 57,395 19,747 „ 41,126 Silica sand .. .. .. " 627 0 33 .. 563,403 ® t ° 116 25 „ 'l0 62 „ 202 m + n " " " . 145 67,081 110 „ 52,215 Quicksilver ' 6,840 lb. 6,840 7,068 lb - 7 ' 192 Totals H.: •• 5 > 145 > 802 5,H9,010 *The gold-silver bullion is generally exported unseparated. t Other than for bnekmakmg. Note.—The values shown in the above and subsequent tables are expressed in New Zealand currency