QUEENSLAND STATE ARSENIC MINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 102, 23 January 1918, Page 5

QUEENSLAND STATE ARSENIC MINE

Brisbane, January 22. Mr. D. E. Hoolihan, a New Zealander, has been appointed manager of the arsenic mine in tho Stanthorpo district, which tho Government has d<y cided to work as a- State industry.— Press 'Assn. [The Queensland GoTernmont has sell apart an area of 150 acres in the Stanthorpo district State mineral field. It is believed that tho ore contains from 20 to 25 per cent, of arsenic, and, if that should be so tho Government, intends to work it as a State mine for the production of arsenic. The price of arsenic is now about £70 per ton, i but if it could be produced at about j £20 a ton it could be profitably used for the eradication of prickly pear. In! the case of privately-owned mines, thn! Minister states the Government would! be prepared to subsidise the production i of arsenic, on condition that it wasj made available for State purposes at' pre-war rates.—"Sydney Morning Her-1 aid!' correspondent, writing from Bris- i bane.'. , \ ■ Arsenic occurs in nature in a free J stato, but is more commonly found in 1 combination. The chief ores are the two sulphides, valgar and orpiment. j arsenical pyrites, and tho arsenides of iron nickel and cobalt. Most of the arsenic of commerce is prepared in! Bohemia and' Saxony, or in England.] Arsenical salts aro of groat commer-' cinl importance. - !