MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1933, Page 8

MINING

BELL HILL SLUICING COY

-Repairs to th e dam have progressed •satisfactorily during the last week. The embankment ha s been raised to its original height, and within a few days an extra two feet wifi be addtd and all repairs then completed. The winch for the stonehauler has been constructed, and it is expected that it will be but a few days before this branch of the work undertaken at the claim wjjll (also y_e (finished. Sluicing operations should begin within a week.

ALEXANDER MINES

REEFTON, April 5.

At the Alexander Alines in March, 518 tons of ore yve.re crushed for a return of 2200 z. 2dwt of melted gold. By the cyanide process - 295- tons of sand were treated for a yield of 78oz 6dwt of ibuliion; The estimated value of. the yield is £llls, elusive of the premium on the sale pf the gold abroad and the premium on exchange.

THE CROMWELL FIELD

DUNEDIN, April 5

There is steadily increasing activity near the rich claim,? at the Kaw'arau Gorge, and- in addition ,?• to the large number of men being employed on' standard wages, a■* considerable amount is being spent on plant, On a st.h’l area on the river frontage and the fiat adjoining nearly 40 men arc employed, only a few of whom are ret’B.viug the ■an employment allowance. ■

The 1 Sarita- Development . Company is pushing ahead with two shafts in its 'holding. The first is located between the (southern boundary oi Horn’s freehold and the BannockburnIvawarau Gorge road. The shaft ig securely timbered throughout, and early last week was down more than 50 feet. The second shaft is right against the eastern end of what is known as Rowe’s old property, and here also a substantially ■ timbered shaft ds being put down. The depth is now nearly '7O feet. It is reported that a small body of water has been struck.

The Ounce-, Ltd., Company, is setting out on enterprising lines. A c-ourt?e for a tunnel into th e face has been lined out, but before starting this a track is to be formed through from the river frontage. The level of this will be seven feet below the bottom of the inlet t 0 the tail race in the original sluicing claim. It is reported that the last two reyturns from Bell and Kilgour's claim were about 40oz a week. In the B.iHHoope,. claim there is considerable activity, -and preparation? are being made for the engagement of a large number of men -1 0 carry on operations.

Almost daily new arrivals are reaching Cromwell from all parte of the Dominion in quest of gold, and -camps arc springing up in nil directions. Every , new arrival Seems to find a likely spot to prospect, and the result is activity over a wide area.

Last month Blackwater mines'-crush-ed 3380 tons yielding 1681 fine ounces of gold, the value- of which (taking gold at 115 s per fine ounce') is £10.481. Working cost? were £5,669, leaving an estimated working profit for the month of £4812. Development, expenditure for the month was £853 and r-anital expenditure for the month wrs £1315.