Mining In Papua

Guinea Gold’s Dredging Claims

From Our Own Correspondent.

Port Moresby, Sept. 21.

A great deal of interest has centred round the Lakekamu goldfield in the Territory since 17 new dredging claims, comprising over 4,000 acres, situ ated on the branches and tributaries of Babuan Creek and Aivavi Rivers, have been taken up by Mr. J. Nason-Jones for Guinea Gold N.L. It is reported that two mining engineers have proceeded to the claims to test and determine the commercial dredging depths of the hold ings.

Since October 1930, when the Papuan Government reopened the old Lakekamu goldfield of 1909-10, on the report of the discovery of gold by Mr. Jack Hides, on patrol in September from the Kanibisi camp, great hopes have been entertained that the gold which is known to be there, may yet prove rich enough to establish a prosperous mining community in the country.

Many prospectors proceeded to the field in 1931-32 and worked the creeks and tributaries in the district. Though their success was in no way outstanding, some were quite profitably employed with gold at such a high price.

Tiveri Field.

The report of Mr. B. Dunstan, the government geologist from Queensland, in 1931, that the lower flats of the Tiveri were likely to produce a considerable amount of gold by dredging methods ot tered inducements to investors. In 1933, the Tiveri Gold Dredging Co. Ltd., the first dredging company in the Territory, was floated and commenced operations in April of this year. The company’s light dredge is said to be working satis factorily, and is producing good gold.

Mr. J. Nason-Jones

Mr. J. Nason-Jones, who has been in Port Moresby on business connected with the dredging claims of Guinea Gold, N.L., left on September 12 for the Bulldog landing ground on the Lakekamu field.

He was accompanied by Mr. P. G. Waller, and flew over in Guineas Airways’ Jun kers ’planes, with Mr. O. Denny as pilot..