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The gross value of all minerals produced during 1907 amounted to £3,775,835, being £96,156 less than the value of the production during 1906. This decline is entirely confined to the yield from the alluvial-gold mines, the production from all other branches of mining showing an increase, and that from the quartz, coal, and scheelite mines constituting a record. The number of persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand mines during 1907 was 13,081, being an increase of 185 on the number so employed during the previous year. The proportion of fatal mining accidents during 1907 amounted to T45 per thousand persons employed. This compares favourably with most other countries. MINERAL PRODUCTION. The annexed Table No. 1 shows the quantity and value of gold, silver, and other minerals, including kauri-gum, exported during the year ended 31st December, 1907 ; also the quantity of native coal consumed in the Dominion during the same period. The quantity of gold entered for export was 508,210 oz., valued at £2,027,490 —a decrease of £243,414 as compared with the export returns for the previous year. The value of other minerals, including silver, coal, and kauri-gum, produced during the year was £1,748,345 —an increase of £147,258 as compared with the production during 1906. The quantities and values of the chief mineral products for the past two years are summarised for comparison as follows :—

The total value of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals (including kauri-gum) produced up to the 31st December, 1907, was £100,523,086. GOLD-EXPORT. The quantity of gold entered for exportation through the Customs for the year 1907 was as follows : Auckland, 298,101 oz. ; Nelson, 4,688 oz. ; West Coast, 87,069 oz. ; Otago and Southland, 118,352 oz.: total, 508,210 oz., valued at £2,027,490. AURIFEROUS-QUARTZ MINING. This, the most important branch of the mining industry in the Dominion, continues to increase both as regards the quantity of ore treated and the gold - production.

Year ending 31st December, 1906. Year ending 31st December, 1907. Product. Quantity. V.ilue. Quantity. Value. *old ... ... ... 563,843 oz. Silver ... ... ... 1,390,536 „ £ 2,270,904 143,572 50£ 1.56S 508,210 07. 1,562,603 „ 56 tons 5 „ 1,492} , 128,950 „ 8,210 07.. 2,603 „ £ 2,027,490 169,484 595 26 30,448 114,737 3opper-ore danganese-ore ... ... 16 tons tfixed minerals ... ... 1,297 „ Colonial coal exported, inelud- 141,641 „ ing that used by Home steamers Colonial coal used in New 1,587,895 „ Zealand (auri-gum ... ... 9,154 „ ... ... ... 5 „ 40 18,421 122,614 793,948 522,486 6 1 128 1,702 6 1,702,059 „ 56 tons 5 „ 1,492} „ 8,950 „ 2,059 „ 8,708 „ 15 „/ 851,029 8,708 „ 15 „/ 579,888 15 5 2,118 3a3inatite Antimony i . 98 „ i . 98 „ Total value of production for 1907 1906 ... £3, .. £3,1 f75,835. 571,991. Total decrease !96,156.