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2

Ihe following statement shows the value of metalliferous minerals produced, the quantity and value of kauri-gum exported, and the quantity of coal produced during 1920 and 1919 :—

The value of minerals exported and of the coal used in the Dominion, which is shown in table No. 1 accompanying this Statement, amounted to £3,431,391, as against £4,424,689 during the previous year. It is gratifying to report that there has been a marked advance in the stonequarrying industry, the number of such operations under the Stone-quarries Act, being 241 during the year, as compared with 219 during 1919. The value of material quarried during 1920 was £314,470. The value of the 1919 output was not furnished by quarry-owners. GOLD AND SILVER MINING. The following statement shows the quantity and value of bullion-production, the dividends paid by registered companies, and the number of productive claims and gold-dredges during 1920 and 1919 : —

As depth has been attained at many of the gold-quartz mines the value per ton of ore treated has declined, such value during 1920 being £l 15s. 10d., as compared with £2 os. Id. during the previous year. This, taken in conjunction with the increased cost of production at all mines, has seriously affected the industry in this Dominion and elsewhere. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD AND SILVER. Six parties, five of whom operated in Otago and Southland and one in Marlborough, were engaged in scheelite-mining, two of which also produced gold. From 1,883 tons of quartz crushed 39 tons 2 cwt. of tungsten concentrates was obtained, some of which is held for an unproved market. Three parties were employed at cinnabar-mining operations near Puhipuhi, North Auckland, one of which, the New Zealand Quicksilver-mines (Limited), produced 3,075 lb. of quicksilver, valued at £1,378. The other parties were employed

1920. 1919. Quantity- Value. I __ Quantity. Value. Hold and silver bullion produced Quicksilver produced .. Tungsten conoentrate produced .. Manganese produced Copper produced Asbestos prod it red Kauri-gum exported Coal proditeed £ 474,650 oz, 528.317 1,378 39 tons I.956 10 105 6,481 tons 556,756 . 1,843,705 tons 1,843,705 £ 588,002 oz. 702.1.", I 2.701 21.771 12 4,128 Ions 255.812 1,847,848 Ions 1,847,848 I

Divi Production nf Bullion. paid by I Comrj idends Registered lanies. Number of ProduoI ive ('hums and Dredges. Class of Gold-mining. IS io. 9. 1919. 1920. i I 1919. 1920. 1919. [ Quartz .. Alluvial Dredging Oz. 151.122 Mi. 576 li. 952 £ 415,.868 77.777 31.672 £ Oz. £ £ 415,868 555,666 571.020 100,981 77.777 20,620 80.273 4,445 31.672 12.376 47,838 £ 118,831 2.068 2,845 23 37 122 13] 12 111 Totals -174.650 528,317 528 .317 588.662 702,131 105. 121 i 123,744 157 187