QUARTZ MINING AT GREAT DEPTHS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 400, 17 October 1874, Page 5

QUARTZ MINING AT GREAT DEPTHS.

On this subject the "Argus" writes : — " The question of whether or not quartz reefs will be found profitable at any considerable depth from tho surface of the ground is still occupying public attention. Amongst the miners and residents on the gold fields thero is a settled belief that quartz lodes may be worked to almost any depth, and that what Is being done now is a mere scratching, comparatively, of the Burface. Indeed, the converse of the old theories, that quartz veins are mere shallow wedges of stone, is widely entertained, and con fident assertions are mado that the miner has only to sink deeper to get richer quartz. On the other hand, there are still to be found many who maintain that quartz lodes are chiefly gold-bearing at or near the surface, and that as groat depths are reached the gold will be found to nearly, if not quite, disappear. Between these classes of positive philosophers there is another class, not of a negative character exactly, but which asserts stoutly that with all the work done, here and elsewhere, there is not sufficient ovidence to warrant any positive statement as to the formation of the lodes themselves or the distribution of gold in them. There is. undoubtedly, a great deal of evidence which goes to prove that quartz lodes become poorer in gold as comparatively great depths are reached. Anyone familiar with the mining history of the colony can readily call to miv d a large n umber of quartz claims which were rich on the surface, or a short dis tance from it, which have been long since abaudoned as unprofitable. Even districts onca famous have been almost deseited by the quartz miner, and the thud of tho stampers is no longer heai'd. To these facts some persons reply that the lodes were deserted because the shoot of gold had been worked out, and the mineownsrs had either not sufficient capital or faith to venture upon the deadwork of sinking and driving in search of it. In some, probably in many, cases this is an accurate explanation of the facts ; but thero are many, alao, to which the reply is not relevant, tho simple truth being that the claims were left because thero was no liope that they conl.l bo made to pay. On tho other side, there is also an array of facts of a very instructive character. When the Goldfields Commission took evidence at Sandhurst, eleven years ago, some of tho richest claimholdors were moat positive in affirming that the lodbS would not pay below the wcifcerlevel, say about 100 fce+, and tho commission reported against the probability of gold being found at great depths in quartz reefs. At Sandhurst this view has been proved to be altogether wrong. Though there was a pause there after the commission reported in the progress of quartz-mining for a time, consequent chiefly upon the water-level having been reached, it is now notorious that there was a revival, and at this day ho would, be a very bold man who would venture to place any limit upon the depth at which the lodes there will be found to be profitable. The North Old Chum Company, Sandhurst, have got a fine solid lode, yielding something like 2oz to the ton, at a depth of 670 ft. The Great Extended Hustler's Company is working at a depth of over 600 ft. and the Golden Fleece Company hope to recover their lost golden stone at the sGoft level, and at a much greater depth . The rich stone obtained by the famous Garden Gully Tributes was taken from depths of 300 ft to 360 ft, and several other companies are working on Sandhurst at depths varying from 100 ft to 750 ft. At Pleasant Creek, the Magdala Company's shaft is now 1,446 ft in depth, and although the lode sought for has not been got, there are so many favourable signs as to keep shareholders in good spirits. The Newington and Pleasant Creek Company's shaft is 1,3'20ft. in depth, and several othera are being sunk in the full expectation of ultimately profitable results. At Cluues, the New North Clunes Company have discovered a lode in the I,oooft. level, in which gold has been seen. The Port Phillip Company's claim at the same place appears to be poorer in the lowor levels, and the yields of lato have fallen very low. In Ballarat, there are one or two examples of deep lodes which are exciting some interest amongst those who have studied the question of the depths at which quartz reefs may be considered to yield gold.- In the Beechworth district, a depth of 500 ft. has been reached with moderate returns, and golden stone is being obtained at SL Araaud at 160 ft., at Maryborough and Oastlemaine at 300 ft., at Daylesford at 460 ft., and at Tarrengower at 550 ft. A summary of. the facts at present known as to the depths at which reefs may be expected to prove payable shows undoubtedly that those who hold their judgment in suspense pending further information are right, and that it is wiser to do so than to adopt any opinion on the question."