GOLD MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1931, Page 2

GOLD MINING

GOLD PROSPECTING

MODERN PROSPECTING

Reference to the demands of modern prospecting is made by Mr J. Henderson, Director of the Geological Survey Office, in an article upon gold in ,New Zealand in the current issue of the Journal of Science and Technology, tie recalls that in the old days, when a prospector found a deposit he camped on the site and worked it as a miner. Ilf it were too poor he became a prospector again. Nowadays, however, a pfospector who discovered a deposit, whether alluvial or reef, was rarely able to pay for the plant necessary for its proper working. The capitalist, before he would provide the money, wanted to know the size and the value of the deposit. To ascertain this was in tdnany aweoatly.wandsiftv serious undertaking, For many years business caution had replaced speculative optimism, The times required a new kind of prospector, who had not only financial backing but who also had a knowledge of the different kinds of auriferous deposits and the geological conditions that affected their economic value, it i% pointed out that the progressive fall in the gold output since 1910, and it seems even more serious when the ore res-rves of AVaihi, which for over ten years have yielded over half the gold produced annually in New Zealand, will soon be exhausted in spite of strenuous efforts to locate other ore-, bodies in the numerous lodes that traverse the several claims. It would seem that in many instances future gold-mining operations will have to receive at least preliminary assistance from the ’State, which is able to use its oiganisations for the discovery of payable deposits. In point of fact, the Mines Department is devoting much attention to this end. The Minister is keenly interested in the future of the industry, as it is realised that if gold production can once more be raised to a high level the national wealth must increase accordingly. It is understood that even greater attention is to be given to the question by the Government in the future. GOLD DREDGING. AWATUNA GOLD DREDGE COY. 'Now working at full time, opening out a face for dredging. Everything is working .satisfactorily, and an early return of the gold will be forthcoming. RIMU DREDGE NO. 2.Matters in connection with the assembling machinery of this dredge is going along without a hitch and promises no time will be lost in getting into working order. FURTHER SOUTH (WESTLAND). Reports are to hand that considerable prospecting is going on and in a few cases good results have been cl tamed, and much ground is taken upon pios pec.ting license.