BIG WORKS PROPOSED

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1928, Page 7

BIG WORKS PROPOSED

DEVELOPMENTS IN VICTORIA

SYDNEY, Oct. II

An ambitious scheme tor the tie velopment of the ituwvn coal and lii. o sidne deposits of South G ippsland (Victoria) has .just been disclosed, this aiiiiouiu enionts comes at a time when world scientists, gathered at Geneva, have praised tin- developments already made on the brown coalfields of Victoria. It is said that the Latrobe area in Victoria contains tile richest coal deposits in the world, while the resources disclosed by the Via Horn open cut, which is worked by the electricity commission of Victoria, are said to be almost limitless. The whole world is even now watching what is taking place in Victoria and the development of any further scheme is hound to be closely followed. The Victorian undertaking at Yullorn had the distinct advantage of having commenced at the point which the German industry reached after 30 years of practical experience and patient research. The commission was thus alble to collect the most economical and efficient methods. In regard to the combustion of highmoisture brown coal the results achieved by Victoria have not been equalled anywhere else in the world, and this success is mainly due to the researches of the commission’s swn staff.

The new company, which is about to commence operations in South Gipprland proposes to build up a large industry, step by step, until the capital outlay will be about £5.,000,000. A start is to be made immediately with the exploitation of the brown coal deposits. It is proposed to treat the coal by llow temperature distillation for the production of fuel oil and petrol. A representative of the comjpany inspected large works in Halle, Germany, in which coal was similarly treated, and he was much impressed with the economic character of the scheme. It is felt certain that oil and petrol can be produced in Victoria- in commercial quantities at prices that xvill enable successful competition with the imported natural crude oils. The Gippsland product, it is promised, will be sold at the same price as imported oils—and, perhaps, a little lower. When fully working the company will produce more than 100,000 tons of petrol and oil annually. The national importance of the development of the brown coalfields cannot die over-emphasised in view of what is taking place in other countries, 'particularly Germany, United States, and Russia. The brown coal deposits in these countries have become the basis of many mew industries. In Germany the output of the blown coal mines exceeds 150,000,000 tons a year. Brown coal workings are the basis of all kinds of manufacturing, and make possible the economic life and development of Central Germany to-day. Germany has achieved the liquefaction of brown coal on a commercial scale, and one German company is producing 100,000 tons of synthetic petrol and will ultimately produce 200,000 tons. It is l of great national importance to Australia to know that it is possible to manufacture synthetic petrol of highclass quality from brown coal. If oil is not found in Australia —and the prospects in this regard cannot be said to be very encouraging—then it will be essential fo take the oil from coal and sliale.