Copper Deposits.

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 25, 24 October 1942, Page 6

Copper Deposits.

“A geophysical survey of the copper deposits at Kawau Island was recently made by an officer of the Geological Survey, but the results were disappointing in not showing any extension of the Known deposits, and further reserves of copper ore must be sought in depth. Accordingly it Is proposed to explore by diamond drilling the ground below the old workings, and this work should commence nt an early date. It is not expected that this deposit will be large enough to justify the construction of a copper smelter in'New Zealand and make New Zealand self-sufficient as to copper supplies, but- it is possible that a tonnage of ore sufficient to provide a useful ampunt or concentrfttes for shipment to Austrnliu niuy oe established. . . , “The development of many industries now calls for the search for, exploitation, and beneficiation of many nou-metalhc minerals. There is an increasing demand for such minerals iu properly processed form in New Zealand, and the war has made increasing demands on New z,ealund’s own deposits of these minerals. While many of these minerals are known to exist in commercial quantity; the industry lias suffered from the lack of fine grinding and processing equipment, and many have not been thoroughly investigated. It is accordingly of interest to report that n group with « lle T’. ! l‘ e n £ lia ?: cial resources nnd technical guidance is now making a thorough survey of the whole field, with a view *o meeting a modern processing plant.- Such a plant would handle a range of minerals such as bentonite, tnlc. diatomaceous earth, etc., and it is conceivable that valuable expoit markets abroad will in time be developed for their products,’ 7