PLATINUM

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 230, 29 September 1926, Page 9

PLATINUM

OREPUKI DEPOSITS. NEW METHOD OE SAVING METAL. As the result of a test of a model of a new platinum-saving inaqhi ne by Mr H. F. Shepherd, metallur,gist at the Thames School of Mines, this week, it will now be possible to ext.ra.ct the entire platinum from ore concentrates known to exist near Orepuki (Southland). It has long been known that valuable platinupi deposits awa.it ed scientific extraction from the sands of the Tuta,pere Beach ne.ar Orepuki, which is tlie southernmost beacli iu New Zealand. For years past beacheombers have eked out a precarious existence by saving small deposits of gold, but liavc had 110 success in the recovcry of platinum. The problem of how to savc this hi'ghly -valuable, soft, white lustrous metal has interested many people in various parts of the Dominion, but hitherto it has been possible to extract more than a small percentage of the deposit. ' W'hilst visiting Vancouver recently, Mr W^ B. Gieson, of Rotorua, heard of a new miachine which, the inventor claimed, would extmct the entire quantiy of platinum contained in the

deposit, which is usually of an auriferous nature. Mr Gieson immediately .^purchased the patent rights for Australia and New Zealand and brought back with him. a madel plate of the new machine. Permassion was obtained from the Minister for Mines (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) to have the machine tested at the Thames School of Mines. The test was duly carried out at the school on Tuesda.y. and the .assays which are now available show that the entire platinum content of the concentrate was extract ed.