A PLATINUM FIND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 149, 13 March 1918, Page 5

A PLATINUM FIND

« .'] AT £8 AN OUNCE. By direction of Mr. Fitzpatnck, New South AVales Minister of Mines, an inspection of the recently reported find of platinum at Fifield has been made by Mr. Morrison, geological surveyor, who reports that the platinum occurs as alluvial in a Jead or placer deposit, about a mile and'a half from Fifield. Over 400 loads of wash dirt from ten claims have been treated in a puddling machine for .an average yield of 4dwts. platinum and Jdwt. gold to the load. As much as BJoz. platinum have been obtained from 16 loads from the prospector's claim. At tho time of inspection sixteen claims have been pegged out, and about sixty men were employed on the lead. The results obtained in tho deep ground at the northern end are not satisfactory, but sufficient pros- ■ pecting has not yet been done to prove that the main gutter has been located. Most of tho platinum won to date has been disposed of locally at £8 per ounce. "This is ,certainly the most important alluvial discovery made in this Stato for some years past," says the, Department, "and it is probnble that from twenty to thirty men will be employed upon it for at least twelve months.' 1 ■