ALEXANDER REEFS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1926, Page 1

ALEXANDER REEFS

(“InangahuA Times.”)

Messrs Jas. McKay, of Greymouth, and T. 11. Lee, of Reefton, visited the alwve gold mining property in the Alexander River on 30t!i nlto and Ist inst. They made tho trip out via ■Stevenson’s Flat route, but returned through the Hukuwai route. The track through from Stevenson’s Flat was found Lo be in very good order, with Llio exception of about one mile in Absalom Creek, where some of the track has been washed away through a heavy Hood which occurred just before Xmas. Fine weather was cxiJoriciiccd throughout, and the trip, was very enjoyable in every respect.

Consideralbe time was devoted lo the inspection of the mine, and the whole of the workings were shown to the visitors by Mr Joseph Bolitho. mine manager. The reef in the stojjcs. both over Nos. I and 2 Levels, was found to be strong and well defined, and varies in width from 3 feet to 8 J'eet and 10 feet in places. The average width of all the working places will be between 5 and 6 feet. The north, face in No. 2 Level has been extended 15 feet since work resumed after the holidays. The reef in this face at the time of the visit was 5 feet wide, and shows every appearance of widening as the drive progresses northwards. Ail along the lloor of this Level the stone shows strong underfoot, with every appearance of permanency, having good well defined walls, the footwall, in particular, being very solid and regular. Crushing at the experimental battery of live stamps is proceeding steadily, and the stone is maintaining tlie highly satisfactory values which have been produced up to Xmas. Although crushing was not resumed this year until the 11th January, a total of 75 ozs 5 dwts melted gold have been taken front the top plates only, and the mortar box has yet- to be cleaned out licforo the complete return for January crushing will be k nown. Tho gold returns produced by this small crushing plant from this mine for last year are as follows: Total tonnage crushed, 705 tons. Alclted gold obtained. 1870 ozs 2 dwts. Tbe gold is worth £-1 2s 6d per ounce. The total value of gold produced to the end of 1925 is a little over '£7,700 by amalgamation only. There is yet an additional sunt of approximately £3OOO to be recovered from the tailings saved for future treatment. Altogether about ten men are employed. The visitors were greatly impressed with the future prospects of this property, and are convinced that when the lode is fidlv developed it, ought to turn out one of the most profitable mines in the Dominion.