PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS AT CLARENDON

Southland Times, Issue 24868, 7 October 1942, Page 4

PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS AT CLARENDON

Optimistic Reports (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 6. “Everything will be done to explore the possibilities and expedite the utilization of what appears to be a most valuable phosphate supply, and in view of the difficulties now being experienced in obtaining adequate importations it is hoped the final results will at least approximate the optimistic reports now current,” said the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister of Agriculture, referring tonight to the deposit of rock phosphate at Clarendon, Otago. Reviewing the position, he said that recent investigations carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research indicated that apparently there existed at Clarendon in close proximity to limited deposits of high grade phosphate, which had been already worked and proved unecomic, considerable quantities of low-grade phosphatic material. Immediately upon receipt of this information steps were taken to survey the possibility of economically working these newly-dis-covered deposits and utilizing the product as a fertilizing agent. A preliminary survey revealed the probability of extensive areas of easily worked material, and arrangements had now been made to bore the area with a view to ascertaining the exact quantity of phosphate-bearing rock available. If the deposit proved continuous and reasonably uniform, the economic significance of the discovery was of major importance.