Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1928, Page 2

Tiif. confidence of Canadians in the future of mining in the Dominion is based largely on three main factors: the past performance of the industry,

the known reserves and the great extent of unprospected areas, and the rising world demand for minerals. Tho steady rate of growth shown by mining in the past is likely, at least, to be maintained. Wide areas of territory hitherto unexplored or merely supoi'licihlly prospected arc annually being added to those regions in which geological examination is both critical and thorough. This vast Held ul potential discovery, together with tho known reserves ot many minerals, give every reasonable assurance of ample .scope for the growth of mining velopmeiit. This third I actor relates to the all-important questions of mineral markets. The mining industry of the world has been faced in recent years with an astonishing increase in the demand for mineral products to meet the growing needs ol modern civilisation, and the full significance of this rising world demand can scarcely bo realised. One competent authority points out that in recent* times the world’s mineral production lias doubled every ten years, and that more minerals were produced and con- ! sumed in the first quarter of flic preent century than ill all preceding 'times. This will result in the mineral I reserves of the older countries being gradually exhausted, and tin* demand for new resources becoming more insistent. Canada holds a position of singular strength in relation to the world’s chief mineral consuming markets. and it is almost inevitable that the demands from abroad for Canadian mineral products will steadily become greater, more varied, and more urgent. The record of past achievements in the Canadian mining and metallurgical industries and the prestmt intensive and successful developments of Canada's nmiera! resources, furnish a reasona u|e basis lor confidence ill the ability of the Dominion to meet these demands. Apparently in New Zealand, goldmining is almost entirely neglected. With all that- is being said about scientific research in this country, nothing lias boon beard of any attempt to probe the mineral resources further outside of oil prospering. and that is left purely to private enterprise. Something might well be attempted to bring about a. revival of goldmining in this Dominion.