TARANAKI IRONSAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1917, Page 4

TARANAKI IRONSAND.

WORKS AT MOTUROA. COMMENCING NEXT MONTH. The manufacture of pig iron from iron-sum! will be commenced early in March at the works now in course of election at Moturoa by the New Zealand Iron Ore, Smelting, and Manufacturing Company. The works consist chiefly of a magnetic separator, which separates the iron from the sand; a coal disintegrator, which pulverises the coal; a m:xer, where the coal-dust and iron-sand aie mixed with a solution; retorts, where the coat and iron are made into coke; and the furnace, where the coal is burnt and the molten metal is drawn off into pigs ready for use. The various portions of the plant are excellently arranged, aiul the best advantage >» taken of the law of gravitation. A branch line connects the works, which lie within easy distance of the Breakwater wharf, with the Government railway line. | The iron-sand is conveyed from tha | .seashore and other points near at hand, and is deposited into an enclosed receptacle containing a high-power magnet. Upon' the operation of the magnet, the iron is separated from the sand and other j l impurities. Tho iron drops into one pit and the sand into another. From the : iioil pit tiie contents are conveyed by elevator to the mixer-house, which stand's on an eminence 40 feet above. Another operation, that of treating the coal, goes on simultaneously. The eoal, a plentiful supply of which is already on hand, arrives by rail to a point on the same level as that on which the iron-sand is received for treatment. The fuel is conveyed into a bin containing the disintegrator, a machine consisting of two rollers which revolve rapidly in opposite directions and grinds the eoal into dust. The pulverised" coal is then drawn by section into the mixing bin above, where the coal-dust and iron-sand are mixed, | a solution added, and the secret process in the i ..uuifacture of the pig-iron is carried out. From the mixing-bins, thu compound is taken to the fire-clay retcrts a few yards away, where it is formed into coke. After the coking process, the mixture is conveyed to the furnace which stands 40 feet below. With the a.d of air-pressure supplied by a blower, a maximum of heat is generated in the process of smelting, and the molten metal, fried from impurities, is drawn oft' into moulds or pigs. Tho process, as far as the Moturoa works is concerned, is then tompletcd. The plant is up-to-date in every way, and not the least important part of it is *he steam engine which supplies the power and operates the suction pipes and air-blowers. A brick smoke-stack, (S4 feel high, stands on the hill at the back of the works, and carries the smoke well away from the place. Installed on the works is a pump with a capacity of 10,000 gallons per hour, and a concrete well has been built which is capable of holding 25,000 gallons of water, Copious bins, for holding coa| and iron-sand, are also provided. When in full swing it is estimated the works will produce . 140 tons of pig ■ ron per week. Orders have already been received for several months' output., and the company are confident that the demand in New Zealand will be more than adequate.

Evidence of the public's confidence i>. the future of the works may be taken frum the fact that shares are selling privately at 7s (3d premium. The work of election is being carried out by day labor under the direction of Mr. F. Payne, managing director, Mr. F. Sinftllhone, v.-crks engineer, and Mr. J. Heskctt, metallurgist. The cost of erection and plant is estimated at £10,(1(10.