Papua
Gold In Eastern
Activity on Misima and Woodlark
THERE is much gold-mining activity in Eastern Papua; and, during a few brief hours in Samarai, I gathered up whatever information was available con cerning operations thereabouts.
It is reported that Mr. Cuthbert has given to Mr. Frank Hambridge (the well known director of New Guinea Goldfields Ltd.) a favourable option over his very rich Amuna mine (New Misima Gold Mines Ltd.) on Misima Island. It is said that Mr.
Hambridge’s principals in this matter are Oroville Gold Dredging Company, in which are Major Stuart Love and others. Major Love was out at Misima while I was in Samarai.
The really interesting country in Misima Island runs roughly north and south, near Bwagaoia. As I understand it, the most northerly leases are the old Mt. Sisa leases; these, later, were held by Misima Options Ltd., and last year they were absorbed by Gold Mines of Papua Ltd. Then next in line, are the Amuna leases (Mr. Cuthbert’s company), which are so rich that that company has been paying an annual divi
dend of about 80 per cent; and then come Misima Gold Reefs leases, owned by Major Love’s company. In a more isolated posi tion, to the south-west, are the leases held by Quartz Mountain of Papua Ltd., a Dunedin (New Zealand) concern. Mr.
Burn, representing that company, arrived in Samarai by the last Macdhui, with 100 tons of mining machinery, including a Ruston-Hornsby oil engine.
Mr. Leo Gibbons, an engineer represent ing Gold Mines of Papua Ltd., is on Misima at present, and is doing active investigation work on the Sisa leases.
He is reported to be satisfied with what he has seen up to date.
Gold Mines of Papua are getting ready to commence work on Woodlark Islands, where it is intended to cyanide the sands and slimes of the old Kulumadau mine, estimated at 130,000 tons. It is reported that Mr. Gibbons will come South in Sep tember for men and plant, for Woodlark Island. The Kulamadau mine was a very rich concern, but was not profitably work ed and eventually was closed down. With good management and modern methods, it should show big profits. This company also has options over reefing propositions on Woodlark, which are said to promise well.
A small Sydney company, called Samarai Gold Development Ltd., has been operating in the high country on that mainland op posite Samarai, mostly prospecting, for over a year. The results are not known.
Another small concern, Debolina Mining Co., has been operating for a year in the
vicinity of Milne Bay, and getting plati num. It appears to be paying its way.
There are many signs of gold on the mainland, at the Samarai end of Papua; but, in Samarai, the main expectations re late to developments on Misima and Wood lark Islands. Some 30 or 40 years ago, very good gold was taken from the other big island of the archipelago, Sud-Est, but nothing has been heard of that district during the present gold boom.