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I. MINERALS PRODUCED AND EXPORTED. The following statement shows the value of minerals (other than kauri-gum and coal) produced during 1920 and 1919 : — 1920. 1919. £ £ Gold and silver .. .. .. .. 528,317 702,131 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,378 2,794 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. .. .. 1,956* 21,771 Manganese . . .. .. . . .. .. 10 Copper .. .. .. .. .. 12 Aabestos .. .. . .. .. .. 105 * Estimated. The following statement shows the value of New Zealand minerals exported from metal-mines, quarries, and kauri-gum fields from the Ist January, 1853 to the 31st December, 1920 : —

11. PERSONS EMPLOYED. The following statement shows the number of persons ordinarily employed in or about the metalliferous mines of the Dominion during the year: —

111. ACCIDENTS. Only one serious accident occurred at any metalliferous mine during 1920, which constitutes a record for such mines since the industry lias been established in the Dominion. The accident referred to resulted in the death of flic sufferer, Thomas Liddell, a miner, fortyeight years of age, who was killed by a blasting accident in the Rising Sun Gold-mining Company's mine at Owharoa, in the Northern Inspection District, on the !)th August", the following being a description of the sad occurrence: — Owing to the timber at the tup of the main rise collapsing and blocking the ventilation, a drive was being put in the footwall to connect with (lie top adit level, clear of the broken country. Two shifts were employed, driving from both sides. On the morning of the accident, deceased, in the presence of the mine-manager, bored a hole through and was able to converse with M. Brean, who was working on the other side. Deceased had bored five holes, and Breail on the other side two holes, the latter having been charged ready to fire. Before commencing to charge the holes drilled in the face where deceased was working he suggested to Brean

1919. 1920. Increase or Deorease. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1920. Gold Silver Quicksilver Tungsten-ore Kauri-gum... Manganese Copper Other minerals £ 1,334,405 103,037 4,619 29,489 255,812 ' 12 4,039 £ 883,748 87,665 900 i 1,378 I 556,756 10 i 8,745 £ Dec. 450,657 „ 15,372 3,719 „ 28.111 Inc. 300,944 10 Dec. 12 Inc. 4,706 £ 89,012,107 2,648,950 7,641 299,311 19,137,820 61,915 19,390 356,869 Total value fo Total value fc ir I'll!) it 1920 ... £1,731, ... £1,539, 113 202

Classification. ispeotion Distric it. Total, 1920. Northern. West Coast. Southern. jold, silver, and tungsten Dinnabar \sbestos 1,058 15 484 372 1,914 15 1 1 Totals for 1920 Totals for 1919 1,073 1,167 485 591 372 443 1,930 2,201