SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 358, 6 January 1849, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Smelting Works. — Now that the whole community appreciate the immense advantages that must arise from the establishment of smelting works in this colony, it is highly interesting to trace the development of this important branch of industry. We have lately seen three samples of copper, in its different stages of ore, regulus, and metal. The regulus is the substance, containing a large proportion of metal, produced by the first process. By the second process a metal of ninety-five per cent, is produced. The specimens we allude to are from smelting premises recently constructed in a forest to the north of Kanraantoo Mine, about five miles from Mount Barker. The proprietor is a Mr. Thomas, who evidently knows his business thoroughly. The estai lishment of this smelting work is of vast importance to the neighbouring mines, as by it their poorer ores, which would not bring sufficient in England to pay the cost of transport, are rendered valuable. Mr. Thomas charges £4 : 10s. per ton of ore for smelting. Take therefore, for example, a twelve per cent, ore; the expense of converting it into copper would be £36 per ton of pure metal. The metal being worth £90 per ton, deducting the expense, there remains a clear profit of £7 per ton of ore. We hear that Mr. Thomas uses the rough logs from the forest, and that timber is so abundant, that no anxiety need be felt regarding a supply of fuel. We find also, on enquiry, that the charge for smelting is ample, and that there is greater probability of its being lowered than raised. Thus, at last, has the practicability of profitably converting our ores into metal been demonstrated. In another year we shall, in all probability, load vessels with copper for the markets of India and China, and commission return cargoes of tea, sugar, and other Eastern produce. It is weli known that the inhabitants of those countries use copper vessels and utensils for household purposes almost exclusively ; and therefore, our best markets will ultimately be jn the East. — South Australian Register.