MINING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5302, 20 July 1928, Page 4

MINING.

RISING SUN ACTIVITIES. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The following report on the work being (tone in this mine has just been, issued by the Managing-Director, Mr R. M. Aitken, to the shareholders :— “Commencement of Operations.— Active work was commenced in the mine on April 9, and it was soon evident that a large amount of repair.work was necessary. The main, level was down in many places and in a bad state of repair, besides numerous breaks in the workings. These, however, have been thoroughly cleaned and re-timbered, while air and water pipes throughout, the mine have been repaired, so with the exception of about a fortnight’s work in, the stopes, the whole of the mine is now in good' working order.

“Pumping.—An aiM-lift system has bee'n installed for- unwatering the m,ine below No. 3 level, and from 'trials made th's will keep down the water to a, depth of 50 feet, at least, with very little expense and attention.

“Development.—Your, directors decided t'o proceed, witih the sinking o£ two winzes on No. 3 reef to test this lode below water level, and the drive is being extended on both ends pheparatory to opening out and sinking bn, the stone. In both of these faces the reef is showing about two fe'et in width and gives excellent prospects of free gold, which warrants funther development both north and south at an early cla,te.

“The cross cut from main level to intersect No. 1 and No. 3 reefs about 500 feet, south of the present workings has. been driven about ten feet in good country, an|d No. 1 reef should be located, at any time now, while No. 3 reef is probably 40 or 50 feet further to the east. Should these reefs be proved to exist and maintain their size a further 25,0'00 to 30,000 tons of ore could be added) to our probable ore reserves. The mine manager’s report shows over 8000 tons, of ore developed of an approximate value of £40,000, and the estimated partially developed ore at over 10,000 tons additional. “These estimates are made on measurements actually driven, on stope, and a pleasing feature of hi*f report is that the. reefs are ip evidence on all development faces and carrying values. The smithy has been renovated, and a Leyner drill sharpener has been installed.

“Battery Plant. —The mine air compressor has been overhauled! and new driving belt obtained, while the whole of the electrical plant has been put >n first-class order and is working satisfactorily. Your directors decided to get the battery plant! ready for treating ore, and l Mr R. K. CoTv les was. selected aS; battery manager. This section of the plant was found to be in a. most deplorable condit’on and entailed far more time and expense than was anticipated. However, the work has been carried out and will be .completed; this month. They; regret, however, that more capital is not available, which would enable them to proceed with further, development in other directions which the present prospects of the mine undoubtedly warrant. “Subsidy.—The Government have granted the company a subsidy of £5OO to test the low levels, £250 of wh’ch is for unwatering on £ for £ basis, and the balance for cross-cut-ting and driving.

“Public. Battery.—Arrangements are in progress to make the company’s crushing plant a public battery, should the Government be disposed to advance by grant or loan a sufficient Siam to bring the present batter-, up-to-date. This, would enable oun company to save from 10 to 15 per cent, more bullion from the ore treated at a lower coi,st per ton, and extract and treat very much lower grr.de ore from the mine at a profit. “In conclusion, your directors wish to point out that they aiie making every effort to conserve the- funds of the company so as to provide the most UD-to-t'ate and ‘ efficient plant for the economical working of the company’s mine and battery, in wh’ch they are receiving the hearty cooperation. of both the mine ami battery managers.” WORK AT MINE. The following report and estimate of the tonnage, of ore developed and partially developed in the Rising; Sun mine is supplied by the mine manager,, Mr R. R. Morrison :— DEVELOPED ORE RESERVES. “No. 3 Reef, No. 3 Level. —Length of reef exposed, 197 feet; average w’dth of r.eef, 2ft 2ins. Reef stoped to average height of 70ft .above level. Height to/Nb. 2 level, 90ft. Estimated tonnage, Z 2955 tons. “No.l Reef, north of rise to No. 2 Level.—Length of reef exposed, 98ft. Average width., 2ft loins. Height to No. 2 level, soft Estiinated.i tonnage 1068 tons. “No. 1 Reef, south of above Rise. — Leiigth of reef exposed, 33ft, height to No. 2 level, 80ft. Average width of reef, 2ft 6ins. Estimated tonnage, 508 tons;. “No. • 1 Reef, south of the point 33ft south of same Rise.—The reef from this point south has not been exposed, either on No. 3 or No. 2 levels, but at the end of the ground where sloping has been discontinued, the reef i|s Ift wide at 4O'ft up,"2ft sins at 80ft, and 2ft Bing at 110 ft above, the No. .2 level. Taking the average of these widths, andi calculating a triangular block of ground 80ft deep, with the end of the ground as; the base, the quantity of ore amounting to 984 tons is arrived at. Estimated tonnage over siihrinkage stope, 500 tons. “No. 1 Reef, Block 110 ft north of Winze from No. 2 Level.—Length of block, 101 ft. Average width of r.eef Ift lOins- Stopes up 46ft. Height to level, 114 ft. Estimated tonnage in block, 1115 tons. “No. 1 Reef, block 214‘ft north, of I same winze;—Length, of block, 80ft. 1 Average width of re|cf. Ift 4ins. I Stopes up 46ft. Height to level.J

114 ft.. Estimated Quantity of ore in block, .935 tons. “The total estimated developed tonnage between No. 3 and No. 2 levels in the above blocks amounts to 8065 tons. Taking the value at £5 per ton, a figure which tlie ore crushed has consistently maintained, the above tonnage represents a value of £40.325. PROBABLE ORE. "No. 1 Reef, below No. 3 Leivel. Taking the mean of * the averages, viz., 2ft l%ins., of the stoping widths on No. 1 reef as a basis to calculate the probable ore underfoot in No. 3 level, and assuming these widths are maintained to a depth of 50ft, the quantity of ore below the level amounts to 4250 tons.

“No. 3 Reef, below No. 3 LevelTaking the average width, 2ft 2ins, over a total length of r.etef, 197 ft, and to a depth of 50ft below the level, an. estimated tonnage of 1640 tons, obtained.

“Probable ore above No. 2 Level, No. 1 Reef.—Over No. 2 level no stoping has been carried out, but as the stopes from No. 3 level are approaching the floor of No. 2 the width of reef shows a mafrked improvement and it is safe to assume that the reef will maintain its sizq to 50ft above the level. Taking the average width over a length of 'sooft, the estimated tonnage amounts to 4250 tons.

“No. 3 Reef, No. 2 Level.—As this reef has not been located on this level no ore has been included in the reserves.

“The crosscut now being drivten east from the main adit for the purpose of locating No. 1 and No. 3 reetfs at a point 500 ft south of the shaft: will, if successful in locating, the lode, and' widths and. values are maintained, augment the ore reserves by sonie 13,000' to 14,000 tons on No. 1 reef, without taking into account No. 3 reef, which sjhould produce tonnage approximately that- of No. 1 reef.

“Development Drives.—The reef is in evidence in .all the development drive faces, and carrying values. “The drive north and isouth on No. 3 reef, which has only been drivfen in. for a distance of 200 ft, arc well worthy of further extension, and "should, when further extended, add considerably to the ore reserves.”