THAMES MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1926, Page 1

THAMES MINES

TO GAIN NEW LEASE OF LIFE

AUCKLAND, Feb. 20,

Thames mines have, been in a backwater lor a long time, but li'ont the interest being taken by foreign capik\! it seems as if they will once again |,e Honied oil as .strong a tide a.s floved fifty years ago.

.First came imports that German cupiivis actively interested, and now tin iv are said to Ik- Americans as well as a Christchurch syndicate in--1 i-re-led in refractory ores. The ores arc so named as they are refractory to any treatment known in New Zealand, Only the Germans seem able to extract the various values of gold, silver, load, copper, and seine contained in these ores. Their metallurgists seem to possess the secret of oxtraelion. and prior to the war shipments of concentrates from the ores were sent to Freiburg from time to time >tretching back over a.period of thirty

Ai first many long term residents of Thames were rather sceptical of the venture, while some veteran goldminers were openly scornful. Against tlii-. however, are the cautiously worded opinions of the newer school of miners, whose exhaustive research Mindies have taught them that all that does not glitter may not he nocesri|y of ]e-- value than gold. They realise that the coast, country possesses enormous possibilities in lead, copper, zinc and even silver. Apart from the Sylvia mine, the latest information is to the effect that a group of financially interested persons. headed In a prominent Aucklander. is handling another venture on behalf of German-. An option has been give over a 200-acre property in the coa-t mining area, and negotiations are in train for the purchase of other properties in the vicinity. Further interest also lias Ix-en occasioned by confirmation of a rumour that, some American financiers have acquired an interest in a, group of mines close the Thames, known to be rich in ore deposits. Le'iniie information as to hiin flic movement fiir developing refractory ores near Thames was given by Mr 11. 11. Adams. Mr Adams is one of the hest-knowii mining engineers in the Thames district, and his knowledge of mining proposition!* on the Coromandel Beniiisula is most extensive. Air Adams owns the Sylvia mine

at Tararu Creek, a Thames properly, which carries large deposits of refractory ore. lie has, however, sold an option over half the mine to a gentleman. who, he believes, represents German capital. The option has not expire,l and whether it is taken up or not depends on the result of tests of ores. Mr Adams is .sanguine that the lesuTts will he satisfactory and that (ho option will la* taken no. His Interest, in Die matter commented just prior to lie outbreak of the Great War. \f, Dial time a shipment of about fil'tv lens el ore wa- -eni to England from Go- abuioi.a; mine. \\ a;inoio. near Thame-.

"I arrived in England." .-aid M Adams, 'alLer the stupim-n; had ar

"Do.:, and received offer.-, ior FmIhe best oiler was made b\ Gennnsi buyer.-, and the sl.ipaici.l said l:. • hem at about £il) a ton. Almost imntedaileiy another shipment was

s'‘in io England. am. did not arriv"Util all ec the war had broken run. Ihe G.. Were, ihen-fore, .nil of at, a inni'li lower price, which did mu pay. Tin- workings w. re then closed and the com pan;,- wen I inlo \ iilu.il ary liquid:, lion. Tic S. I win mine was b uighi by me from the New Sylvia Company in 1020. li contains huge d.-posits .li refi-ae!.,.-.- or.-s. con-

taining gold, silver, lead, zinc, capper and sulphur. ()re laken Iron) i he Sylvia was ireal'-'l in tin- .Moamatairi l.allerv for silver and gold. bin. owing to lbe amount ol lead and zinc in the ore. we could uni get a satisfactory percentage of the precious melals l<> make the mine to pay its way. and I was forced to close it, down, but il the value of the lead and zinc had been extracted (as the Germans are able 1 1 dot instead of being so much waste, jhe proposition would have been a highly payable one.

“After the Sylvia had been closed down a gentleman approached me for an option over half the property, which I granted for a period long enough to enable him to lake out, and treat a large sample from the mine. From the ore wo produced fully ten tons ol concentrates. Bad luck held us lip and this exhausted the period of t loop! ion. which I renewed for a further six months to allow for the .sampling awd treatment of the concent rales in (formally. The option holder has stdl three months before his option expires. •| may as well add Hull Hie money required to break mil the concentrates and ship il was found hv the option holder. Tie is. T believe, representing German capital. I am sanguine that the ore that lias gone to Germany wiII prove satisfactory, although I have had no word ye! as to results. T expect to receive a report on that within a month."

Asked v.liat the refractory ore looked like. ATr Adams produced a small piece from his pocket. Tl was ot a dull lead colour, peppered with gold points, and was heavy for its size, “fl contains.” explained Mr Adams, “gold, silver, lead. zinc, copper, sulphur and iron. It is a seloetod piece and is worth £10.900 a ton. Of course, the average value over the mine is nothing like that. 11 is to determine its value that tests are being made in Germany.

“But you know what the shipment from the Alenowai mine brought in London. You ask what the Sylvia might, he expected to produce if capital were introduced and the mine opened up properly. 1 should say 1000 tons of crude ore a week. The ore. judging from an analysis we have made, should yield 4 per rent of lend, 5 per cent of zinc. 12 pennyweights of goal and 4 ounces of silver for each tonhut to place the mine in a position to -rive such an output would require the”expenditure of fully £3O 000. Il the expenditure is made 1 lee. quite certain that this property will become one of the leading mining properties of this country.' Afr Adams added that there were other properties in which German clot her capital was taking an active interest The country was pegged right ur> to the -Sylvia. Recognition ot tlmpossibilities of refractory ore at I homes bad been long delayed, but L . 1 “ ok f“ as if the tide was Howme in rapidly at last.