PLATINUM

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1926, Page 4

PLATINUM

OREPUKI DEPOSITS. THAMES, Sept. 22. As the result of a test- of a model of a lieu* platinum-saving machine hy Mr H. F. Shepherd, metallurgist at the Thames School of Mines, yesterday, it u'ill non* be possible to extract the entire platinum contents from ore concentrates known to exist near Orepuki (Southland). It has long been known that valuable platinum deposits awaited scientific extraction from the sands of the Tutaperc Beach, near Orepuki, which is the southermost beach in New Zealand. For years past beachcombers have eked out a precarious existence by saving small deposits of gold, but have had no success in the recovery of platinum. The problem of how to save this highly-valuable, soft, white, lustrous metal has interested many people in various parts of the Dominion, but hitherto it has not been possible to extract more than a small percentage of the deposit. | Whilst visiting Vancouver recently, Mr W. R. Gieson, of Rotorua, heard of a now machine, which, the inventor claimed, would extract the entire quantity of platinum concealed in the deposit. which is usually of an auriferous nature. Mr Gieson immediately purchased the patent rights for Australia and New Zealand and brought back with him a model plate of the new machine. Permission was obtained from the Minister of Mines (the Hon. Itr. J. Anderson) to have the machine tested at the Thames School of The test was duly carried out at the' school yesterday, and the assays which are now available show that the entire platinum content of the concentrate'was extracted.