MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1917, Page 1

MINING

Some important mining propositions in the Westland district are now taking shape. For many years it lias been difficult to obtain mining concessions over the Arab lira river bed.

in consequence of the Native rights being a harrier. It is understood this difficulty lias been legally overcome, and now with the consent of the Public Trustee, and- the Native owners, mining privileges have been obtained. This will enable a large dredging scheme to take shape. Mr D. Ziman has the matter in hand, and with liis influential backing the project should be successfully launched. The proposition is one which should commend itself," for the auriferous gravels should give good returns if effectively treated. The success depends upon powerful machinery to cope and deal readily with the heavy which will have to be treated. . A second large m’niug scheme is 'that of the Left Hand Branch, Kanieri Forks. Here the proposal.is to divert the Humphrey’s Chilly water race by way of Mt McKay into the alluvial flat lying between Kanieri Forks and Greeks Terrace, Arahura Valley, '('here is a * .considerable area of maiden country in the locality indicated. T.t was opened up a few years .ago when a prospecting track was run from Kanieri Forks to Greeks at Humphreys. Since then there has been intermittent prospecting. The country was known to he auriferous, as when the track was being metalled specks of gold were found on the track fitter heavy rain. Of late a good deal of prospecting lias been clone in a systematic manner, and tbe prospects are so encouraging that an option has been secured over the Humphreys water, race, which is divertable at a reasonable cost on to the new field. This would mein that the head waters of the Arahura river are available for the Kanieri field as well as commanding Seddon’s Terrace and Rimu fields. It is therefore of very great value for future mining possibilities. A considerable area of ground is being prospected up tbe Left .Hand Branch, and it isintended to .work the field with tbe water to be brought in. Mr D. Ziman is also the principal promoter of this scheme, the pros pec s of which are so very promising. Another mining venture, in min'd and likely to be taken up at no distant date is the dredging of the Hokitika river in conjunction with portion of Kanieri Flat, where the keystone boring plant obtained such excellent returns a year or two ago. The mineral exports from Broken Hill for April were valued at £321,501, making a total of £1,359,141 for the period January to April, The various months showed : January, £313,861; February, £340,839; March, £382,880; April, £321,561; total, £1,359,141.

Mining operations at Mount Lyell are proceeding steadily. Progress lias boen made, but there is a shortage of men. About 100 ecmkl find work. The North Mount Lyell 1,200 ft level has been Hooded, and cannot be uhwatered until more men are available.

During- May the Queensland gold yield fell oil £52,451 as compared with the same period last year. The product was worth £118,074 in May, 1916, and this year the yield was only- worth £65,623. For the fi.ve mouths'of 1917 tbe production lias been £302,124, as compared with £424,318 for the same period last year. It is only fair to admit that the trouble at Mount Morgan gravely interfered with the output.