COPPER ON THE WEST COAST.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1281, 27 April 1878, Page 3

COPPER ON THE WEST COAST.

The “ Post,” of April 15th, has the following on the copper discoveries in the neighborhood of Dusky Sound : The discoveries which from time to time are made of additional mineral resources in Now Zealand are of the most gratifying character. The most recent of those discoveries is that of a copper lode at the head of Dusky Sound, on the West Coast of Otago, the discoverer being a Mr William Docherty. This discovery does not appear to have excited much attention at the time, but it is nevertheless one of very great importance, which there is every reason to hope will prove a source of considerable wealth to those who erect the necessary works and utilise the lode. On the discovery being communicated to the Government, Mr S. Herbert Cox, Assistant Geologist , in the Geological Survey Department, was despatched to the locality, to examine and report on the lode. Through the courtesy of the Hon. Mr Ballance, we have been placed in possession of a copy of this report, which contains much valuable and interesting information with respect to the discovery in question. The chief features of the report are as follows The lode, which is situated on Mount Solitary, Dusky Sound, west coast of Otago, is not lege than five feet thick, and vreU de-

fined, striking N.K.-S.W., and underlying slightly to the north-west, although almost vertical. The lode has been traced by travelled boulders of tho ore, which were found in a creek within a few chains of the beach, until at length the true outcrop was discovered ou a spur some distance further along, Tho furthest, point inland to which tho lode has yet been traced is situated forty chains and sixty-eight links from tho beach, the altitude being 1500 ft., the spur falling rapidly, and being intersected by two creaks. North-west of these creeks tho lode has not yet been traced, save by boulders, which prove to be of a similar character to the specimens obtained from the outcrop of the lode itself. The ore, which may be looked upon ns copper pyrites, is somewhat irregularly distributed throughout such parts of tho lode as are at present known, but the presence of copper may be traced in almost every specimen which can be gathered. This has been proved by analysis at the Colonial Laboratory, some of the richest specimens analysed being found to contain as high as twenty-three per cent, of metallic copper. The copper pyrites is largely accompanied by magnetic iron pyrites, which at times forma tho bulk of the mineral of the lode ; hut a most encouraging feature for tho prospectors is that, although many of the specimens collected from the creek beds are inferior, yet where the lode is seen in nitu tho copper pyrites is well defined at an altitude of 1000 ft, The position of the lode is 40 chains 68 links from the beach of a small bay, in which there is a good anchorage for ships of any tonnage, a rapidly shelving sandy bottom affording excellent opportunities for the construction of a jetty. Adjoining tho beach is a email fiat of sufficient extent to form a suitable site for any works which might be erected ; but after passing this the ascent of tho hill is sleep, until, on reaching the last lOOi’t. of the ascent, ropes have to bo used. From this position a good idea can be obtained of the facilities for working the lode. It is suggested that a drive in a S.K. direction could be made at the base of tho cliff, which would intersect the lode at a very short distance into tho hill, and by a series of these drives at every 60 or 100 ft. elevation, tho probable quality of tho ore throughout could be determined at comparatively small cost, an advantage seldom to be found in taking up working mineral leases. Till further operations have been carried out it is impossible to estimate accurately tho value of the mine; but should the quality of tho ore which is found at the main outcrop hold throughout tho lode, or even should it vary into rich and poor patches, there is no doubt that it would prove remunerative to open the mine and commence working operations. It is further suggested that before commencing regular operations to work tho lode it would be advisable to explode a heavy charge of dynamite some fifteen feet below the outcrop. This would bring down enough of stuff to admit of a practical test being made as to what the lode would yield throughout. Wo have taken tho pains to refer to this important discovery somewhat in detail, as it appears to offer an excellent field for the application of capital and labor in working this mine, and developing a most valuable new production. New Zealand is world famed for its goldfields, and more lately its silver mines have been shown to be of marvellous richness. Who then shall say that the copper mine of Mount Solitary may not, when its resources have been tested, prove to be a valuable and additional source of wealth to the colony, and to those who have enterprise enough to undertake the work.