Gold Mining In Papua

Activity on All Fields

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, July 22.

MINING activities at Misima are in creasing rapidly. There are now four companies operating, or about to commence shortly on the island, and a number of additional leases have been taken up.

It is estimated that within twelve months there will be about a hundred Europeans engaged in mining on the island.

The four companies operating on Mi sima are Gold Mines of Papua Ltd. (also on Woodlark), New Misima Goldmines Ltd. (Mr. Cuthbert’s mine), Misima Gold Reefs N.L., and Quartz Mountains Ltd.

Mr. Leo Gibbons, general manager of Gold Mines of Papua Ltd. (which ab sorbed Misima Options Ltd. and Mt. Sisa Ltd.) passed through Port Moresby on July 5, en route to Misima, and it is re ported that work there will commence im mediately on a large sce.le. It is re ported that Mr. F. W. Cuthbert has been negotiating for the sale of his very rich mine and that New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., are interested in the project.

Mr. Gus Nelsson, who is regarded as one of the shrewdest and most capable men in New Guinea, is associated with the Pratten Group (Gold Mines of Pa pua), and he is most enthusiastic about Misima. Mr. Nelsson is also a staunch be liever in the Yodda field —he was one of the Ivanhoe party who first got there in 1895.

The monthly report of New Misima Gold Mines Ltd., for May, showed 1208 tons of ore were put through the mill.

The yield was 877 tons of sand and 331 tons of slime for gold bullion valued at £2,080/7/9, Australian currency.

Yodda Goldfields

Reports from the Yodda Goldfields show that great progress has been made.

Mr. Ward Williams and his staff are busily constructing the machinery,

brought over from Port Moresby by Gui nea Airways. A modified type of sluic ing plant with power-driven units, de signed by Mr. Ward Williams, is also being erected.

Tiveri Field

The light dredge of the Tiveri Gold Dredging Co., Ltd., is said to be working well and has been producing good gold since operations commenced early in April.

The company hopes to clear a land ing site alongside its leases shortly, so that supplies may be brought in more speedily from Port Moresby by aeroplane.

Woodlark Is.

A local syndicate on Woodlark Island, in which the Hon. J. G. Nelsson is inter ested, have just opened up the mining property known as Reilly’s on the Busai Road.

They have already opened up 300 ft. and one shaft is down 75ft. The syndicate are shifting a small battery on to the lease (which is of 24 acres), to crush the 200 tons of stone.