MINING GOLD.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 300, 1 December 1936, Page 3

MINING GOLD.

TWO MILES DOWN. 27 MILES OF BEEF CUT IN YEAR. (Empire Press Union). JOHANNESBURG, June 16. The statement that, during the past year 27 miles of gold reef had been cut was made by Mr John Martin, chairman of Crown Mines, Limited, at that company’s annual meeting. Most interesting was Mr Martin’s statement that this particular mine would, in time, be able to demonstrate what was possible on a large-scale basis in mining at maximum depths. On the Robinson Deep—the Rand’s deepest gold mine—development was proceeding at a depth of 8500 feet vertical. At the City Deep, an adjoining mine, ore was being cut at 7300 fe'et, and the Crown Mines was developing gold reef at 7600 feet. Mr Martin added: “What the ultimate limitations of depth may prove to be cannot be predicted with any degree' of certainty, for in addition to the changing factor of economic feasibility, there are the problems of heat, humidity and rock pressures, which conditions, at some stage that we cannot yet determine, will place a limit beyond which it will bo impracticable Io go.” He disclosed that Crown Mines had 32 miles of underground electric railways for hauling ore to shaft. The mine had had a record year with the highest tonnage milled, and the working revenue the highest in the history of the company.