Pacific Mining Notes

Papuan Expeditions N.L.

Directors of Papuan Expeditions N.L. have re ceived advice from Mr. F. G. Westhoven, who was in charge of the expedition to the Nabo Range and Erewa district, Papua, to the effect that he has returned to Port Moresby without securing a property suitable for the company.

Mr. Westhoven is preparing a detailed report on the work of the expedition. The directors have cabled Mr. Westhoven to stop expenditure on be half of the company and to return to Australia by the first available steamer.

Aloha Syndicate N.L.

Cable advice has been received by the manage ment of Aloha Syndicate N.L. from Mr. R. M.

Boyd, mining engineer, who is in Fiji, advising that he has examined one or two large areas over which the syndicate holds options. He states he is favourably impressed with the areas, and that each has good possibilities for sluicing and dredg ing. He will shortly proceed to examine a second property over which the syndicate has an option.

The syndicate has received licences for the pros pecting of both these properties.

Enterprise Of New Guinea

Expenditure of Enterprise of New Guinea N.L. for the period 18th October, 1933, to 31st October last, was £3342, said Mr. E. Ward, chairman, at a recent meeting. A profit of £860 was made on sales of shares in Edie Ck. Gold Mining Co.

N.L., and interest brought in £22, leaving a debit balance of £2460. Cash at bankers at the close of the period was £8230, and shares in Edie Ck. G.M. Co, N.L. were valued at £882. The co.’s holdings consist of 15 mining leases, with a total area of 5000 acres, upon which £2500 has been paid in lease, rents, and survey fees. Exemp tion from labour conditions has been obtained over a greater portion of the areas until July, 1935, when it will become necessary to develop them. The directors, in their report, advise that

apart from what has been done in prospecting leases held, and other areas in which it is likely to be interested in the near future, much work has been done to provide facilities for future operations. A considerable amount of pitting has been done on the alluvial areas, and as far as tested these show values of 8/- a yard, with gold at £8 an ounce. This figure cannot as yet be applied as an average for the whole of the areas.

Further boxing may either increase or reduce that figure. Enough, however, has been done to prove the ground as being highly payable. It will be necessary at an early date to enter upon a stage of more active development in respect to the holdings, and to provide plant for the working of alluvial areas. With this object in view the directors have arranged for the appointment of a qualified engineer and manager to take control of the properties. The directors propose to sub divide the present £10 shares into 10 of £1 each. This will leave 6000 shares in the hands of the company, which the directors propose to issue in due course, so as to provide capital sufficient for prospecting and development require ments.

As the result of an accident on the field, Mr.

W. Cash, the Company’s N.G. representative, was in Wau hospital for several weeks. He has now recovered and returned to the Ramu area.

A lengthy report has been received by the direc tors from Mr. W. F. McKenzie, hydraulic engineer, who visited New Guinea on the company’s behalf.

The directors consider the report a favourable one.

New Guinea Syndicate.

New Guinea Syndicate advises that an option has been obtained over a further area of 85 acres on Edie Creek, seven miles upstream from the Bulolo dredges. This property and the 50 acres already held are estimated by the vendors, Messrs. Wm.

Stower and Carl Wilde, of New Guinea, to con tain values totalling £367,000 (with gold at £8/10/- an ounce) in 1,226,000 cubic yards. Costs are stated at 2/- a yard to leave a working profit of £244,000. It is proposed to obtain a report on the property from a mining engineer.

Guinea Gold Leases.

Guinea Gold N.L. reports that the company is at present interested in leases and concessions in New Guinea and Papua, principally in the latter, aggregating 10,658 acres, and is actively engaged in testing operations. The areas are: Aiauwi leases, 2250 acres; Bubuau leases, 3308 acres; Pun jab leases, 1500 acres, and Tauri concession leases (jointly with Golden Stream N.L.), 7200 acres -one-half thereof, 3600 acres. Drilling is proceed ing on the Bubuau areas, and will shortly be augmented by pitting and trenching operations with a view to early production by sluicing and elevating methods. Simultaneously the Punjab leases are being tested by scout drilling. If the results justify anticipations, a light dredging plant will be obtained for this area, and can be con veyed to the property by sea and river transport at low cost. On the completion of the programme attention will be turned to the more extensive testing work on the dredging areas of the Aiauwi properties and the Lower Bubuau. The joint operations on the Tauri concession are in hand, and, with the arrival of further boring plant by the next steamer, it is expected rapid progress will be made. The question of expense in regard to these operations is being considered by the direc tors. The policy is being shaped so that, if pos sible, quick-producing sections of the field can be turned to account at an early date with a view to minimising the capital outlay necessary for pro perly testing the large lower-grade sections.

Sufficient preliminary work has now been accom plished to justify the employment of additional technical staff, and this is being arranged in con sultation with Placer Development Ltd.

Hickey’S Gordon Gold N.L.

Directors of Hickey’s Gordon Gold N.L., a Vic torian gold concern, report having secured an option of purchase over prospecting licence No. 220, Tavua, Fiji, containing 460 acres. The south west corner of this area joins the north-east corner of the Emperor lease, and its southern boundary runs along the Nasivi River. A lode formation was discovered crossing the Nasivi River striking N.E.-S.W., apparently coming from the Emperor lease through prospecting licence 222, and thence through prospecting licence 220. On the north-western section of prospecting licence 220 there are numerous quartz outcrops on the western side of a ridge, and trenches have shown good colours in the dish. The licence holder drove east at a point 120 feet below the crest of the After proceeding 20 feet lode matter was disclosed which assayed 13 dwt., and at 40 feet good pan results were obtained. Numerous out crops show up on the lease but beyond surface learning no serious prospecting has been done ex

cept as indicated. It is intended to carry out systematic testing and prospecting.

Loloma West Ltd.

Loloma West Ltd., to be registered as a limited liability company in Melbourne, has been formed with a nominal capital of £15,000 in 3000 shares of £5 each. Two thousand shares have been subscribed for at £5 each, 300 fully paid are to be allotted to the vendor, and 700 will be held in reserve, of which 300 are to be placed under option to the vendor for six months at a premium of 50 per cent. The company will take over from the vendor an application for a prospecting licence of approximately 247 acres, dated February 18, and an option to purchase mining tenements which may be issued by virtue of a prospecting licence of 488 acres. The vendor will receive £450, and should the option be exercised over mining tene ments which may be issued by virtue of the prospecting licence of 488 acres, the purchase price will be £7000. The areas are at present being developed, and are stated to be gold bearing. The company will immediately take over the develop ment work and prove the areas systematically.

The prospecting area of 488 acres is west of and adjoining the property of Loloma Gold Mines N.L., and the other area is to the north-west, about two miles. The directors are Messrs. E.

Ward, H. E. Thonnemann, D. Reid, and C. F.

Michell. A local director will be appointed at Suva. Mr. A. J. Phillips, 422 Collins Street, Melbourne, is the legal manager.

Edie Ck. Gold Co.

Owing to a breakdown of the old engine, Edie Creek Gold Mining Co. N.L. had a short run for February. Results for the period were: Ore treated, 175 tons; fine gold, 17 oz. 7 dwt.; silver, 20 oz. 6 dwt.; base metals, 2 oz. 12 dwt.

A progress report dated March 21, is as fol lows: Main drive, No. 1 level, 324 ft. to 339 ft. in ore. Average values, last 15ft., 7.4 dwt. gold and 3.8 oz. silver. Opening up face from wall to wall at 335 ft. Proved width of 17ft. As advance is made into mountain, character of ore is chang ing. From dish, prospects and assays would appear to be getting on higher grade.

S.W. drive on main lode discontinued for time being owing to slip from mountain side covering up work. Sloping on sill floor off No. 2 cross-cut with this ore and ore from development of main drive keeping plant supplied. When mine was opened up originally, wooden tramlines were used on account of economy. These are now becoming worn, making trucking of ore difficult and expen sive. Plant and treatment:—Although time for leaching of ore was cut down from 8 days to 6, owing to lack of sufficient labour it is found impossible to produce and treat tonnage plant is capable of handling. New engine for pumping plant has arrived, and is being installed. Old engine com pletely broke down two days before its arrival.

It is expected in future to get an uninterrupted run of plant. Government geologist has made exammation of property.

Lakekamu Goldfields N.L.

Lakekamu Goldfields (Papua) Development N.L. has obtained a working option for six months for £2000 over the main leases, dredge and other assets of the Tiveri Dredging Co. Mr. Greene, superintendent driller, and staff, with the excep tion of the assayer, arrived at the Twisty areas field on March 7. and the assayer on March 13.

Drilling and other equipment, together with native labour arrived some days earlier. The wireless telephone to the field was temporarily out of order for a few days. General Wisdom, one of the directors, arrived at Port Moresby recently to co-operate in consolidation of the company’s interests. In regard to other areas, arrangements are well advanced for a thoroughly equipped party to leave on a prospecting trip to deal with the various proposals defined in the prospectus, as submitted by Mr. P. R. Osborne.

It is anticipated the party will leave for the field during April.

The company later advised that boring on the Twisty areas commenced on March 18 with both plants. The first scout bore went to 60 feet, showing values of traces to 2d., par. The second scout bore was carried 45 feet, but did not bot tom, values being 1/5 a yard, with gold at £4/5/an oz., sterling. The third scout bore, 35 feet to bottom and 10 feet into bedrock, wash a yard, par. The plant is working well, but some difficulty has been experienced in removing the casing, as the wash is largely of loose gravel.

Arrangements have been made to overcome this difficulty. Application has been made for three further areas, totalling 124 acres, adjoining the Twisty areas.

Subsidiary Of Mt. Kasi Mines.

Kasi Development Ltd. is to be registered in Fiji by Mount Kasi Mines Ltd. to take over the

right, title and interest of the parent concern of three exclusive prospecting licences, covering an area of 1400 acres. The formation of a subsidiary company followed a decision by the directors to separate the producing from the prospecting operations of the company. The subsidiary will have an issued capital of £20,000 (Fijian currency) in 80,000 shares of 5/- each. Mount Kasi Mines Ltd. will receive 40,000 fully-paid shares in consideration of the transfer of its rights in the licences and the use of its organisation and its technical staff. Shareholders of Mount Kasi Mines Ltd. will have the first right to subscribe for the balance of the issued capital pro rata to their holdmgs. The licences to be transferred comprise the whole of the immediate vicinity of the Mount Kasi line on all sides. Directors of Mount Kasi Mines Ltd. will be the directors of the new companv

Oriomo Explorations Ltd.

Oriomo Explorations Ltd. reports that options in the Mandated Territory now include 140 acres of terraces, gravels, and alluvial flats, following both sides of the Bulolo River over a distance of approximately 62 chains, also approximately 1200 acres of contiguous land formerly held under pastoral lease. Captain S. N. McLean reports, following his investigation of these areas, that from the survey levels and preliminary pit sinking he has been able to define the old river beds. First attention is being given to the terraces and the result of four pits, none of which is bottomed, at depths varying from 15ft. to 33ft., and which give an average result in excess of 5/- a cubic yard gold 750 fine. The free option over the smaller area is for six months, with the right of renewal without cash consideration for a further six months.

The free option over the contiguous land is for 18 months. Agreements completed by vendors have been submitted for Administration approval, An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Oriomo Explorations, Ltd., has been called for April 17, to pass, if approved, a resolution in creasing capital from £24,000 to £100,000. Mr. W.

A. Freeman, chairman of Placer Development, Ltd., and Bulolo Gold Dredging Co., Ltd., has. considered that his existing position necessitates his resignation from the board of Oriomo Explora tions, Ltd. The directors have accepted with regret. Messrs. A. S. Lilburne, and G. A. More have been appointed directors,

Sandy Creek Gold Sluicing

Sandy Creek Gold Sluicing Ltd., has been registered in New Guinea, and has completed; the purchase and taken possession of the proper ties at Sandy Creek. Messrs. H. E. Hallam and E. A. Gumbley have been appointed acting-mine manager and assistant-mine manager respectively. They left Sydney by the March macdhui and arrived at Sandy Creek on March 22. Pending installation of plant for hydraulicing the company will carry on box sluicing with native labour.

Ramu (N.G.) Gold Syndicate

Mr. L. E. Stringer, legal manager of Rama (New Guinea) Gold Syndicate, N.L., advises that arrangements are being made for Mr. J. M.

Spence, mining engineer, to test and report on the areas under offer to the syndicate,

Navisi Gold Syndicate

A cablegram has been received by the management of Nasivi (Fiji) Gold Syndicate N.L., from the company’s prospector, who holds a licence to prospect in Fiji, indicating that he has left for a field which he intends to prospect immediately.

Viti Levu Gold Co.

Advice has been received by the management of Viti Levu Gold N.L., Fiji, from Mr. Scott, leader of the prospecting party, that a definite assurance had been received from the Fiji Gov ernment that it would grant prospecting licences.

Mr. Scott added that he had secured prospecting

rights entitling him to seek new areas. He was negotiating for promising areas with the Tavua Syndicate, and prospects were good. He asked that substantial credit be cabled, as he intended pros pecting new country.

An option for twelve months has been taken by the Co.’s prospectors over 500 acres on a new field at Momi Bay, on satisfactory terms. The vendor has placed in the possession of the pros pecting party a large area, containing loam gold, the occurrence being similar to Tavua, Fiji.

Loloma Gold Mines N.L.

Mining operations were started by Loloma Gold Mines N.L., at Fiji, on March 25. The company was formed with a nominal capital of £150,000 to acquire and subsequently exercise the option to purchase a prospecting licence covering 199 acres at Tova Tova, six miles from Tavua, Viti Levu Island, Fiji. Mr. W. J. Doran, the company’s representative, advises that he arrived at Tavua on March 14 with a party of miners.

Native labour was engaged and good progress has been made with the erection of camp quarters, cook house and mess. The erection of the explosives magazine has been started.

Directors of the Co. advise that Dr. Stillwell, of Melbourne University, has examined a sample of the sulphide ore from the company’s area at Tavua. The ore, which showed no free gold, had been previously assayed by Mr. C. W. Nash and gave a return of 22oz. a ton. Dr. Stillwell states definitely that the ore contains the gold-bearing telluride, nagyagite. This explains the high assay value, despite the absence of free gold.

Tavua Gold Options Ltd.

Tavua Gold Options Ltd. advises that at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders the directors were authorised to proceed with the formation of a new company to develop the areas at Tavua, Fiji. The areas total 1299 acres, and are situated, adjacent to the Emperor mine, on the areas held by the Loloma and Korere companies.

The company has been officially notified by the Mining Board of Fiji that its areas will be pro tected. The new company will have a nominal capital of £100,000, in 400,000 shares of 5/- each, of which 180,000 contributing shares will be offered for subscription. Shareholders in Tavua Gold Op tions Ltd. will receive four fully paid shares ;n the new company for each share held, with a right to subscribe for two additional shares at par. The directors will be Sir Charles Marr, Sir Henry Scott, Messrs. E. G. Banks, H. E. Sizer, W. R. Car penter, H. R. R. Grieve, and H. J. Napthah.

The subscribed capital in the new company has been guaranteed by Australian Mining Trust Ltd.

The new company will be called Tavua Gold Development Ltd.

Rewa Prospecting Syndicate

Rewa Prospecting Syndicate N.L. has been regis tered in Victoria. The syndicate’s representatives are in Fiji and have obtained prospecting rights.

Messrs. J. D. Paterson, G. F. Leitch, and C.

Trist are the directors, and Mr. I. W. Barrett, 31 Queen Street, Melbourne, is legal manager.

Edie Options Ltd.

The directors of Edie Options, Ltd., report: Arrangements in hand for the registration of the company in New Guinea. Mr. K. A. MacGregor, solicitor, Wau, has been appointed legal manager and representative in the Territory. Mr. S. H.

Carroll (a director of the company) is at present in New Guinea, and will consult with J. M.

Spence (company’s consulting engineer) on matters of policy and proposed operations.

Misima Gold Reefs N.L.

Directors of Misima Gold Reefs (New Guinea) N.L. have acceded to the request of Mr. T. Owen, the Sydney representative of Oroville Dredging Co., Ltd., and granted a further one month’s ex tension to the first option, to 31st March, to test further the lower adit, before paying the deposit of £200.

Equatorial Gold Syndicate

Advice has been received by the management of Equatorial Gold Exploration (New Guinea and New Britain) Syndicate N.L., from Mr. J. De laney, one of the holders of the lease on the Ramu, over which the company holds an option, that 250 pits have been completed, and are showing excellent values, distributed over 10 feet of wash.

They are not bottomed.

Mr. A. M. Gunning, the Co.’s engineer, has radio’d that he arrived at Salamaua on April 2, and was leaving by ’plane for the company’s leases on the Ramu on April 5. He will immediately, upon arrival there, check and sample the pits sunk by the contractor. Dr. Atcherley, who was pre viously employed by the Co., and who is at present in New Guinea, visited the areas and reported privately that he had sampled 52 of the pits sunk, and that the average values over a depth of 10 feet of wash were 3/6 a cubic yard, and that no pit had been sunk to rock bottom. The man agement reports that the contractor undertook to sink 50 pits weekly. In view of such a large number to be completed within a short period, he was agreeable only to enter into a contract to sink to this depth. A proportion of these pits will later be bottomed when the engineer is present, and it is obvious from the work done to date that the total yardage will be greatly in excess of the original estimate of 7,000,000 cubic yards, and that even better values must be revealed when the pits are tested to the bottom.

Barola Gold Reefs N.L.

Barola Gold Reefs N.L. has obtained the ser vices of Mr. A. M. Gunning, mining engineer, and he has proceeded to the Ramu, New Guinea, to open up the reef on the area held under option, and at the same time work the alluvial there.

Mr. Gunning has had extensive mining experience in South Africa, Rhodesia, and California, and latterly in Victoria. For six years he was m New Guinea, and is fully conversant with its local conditions and the handling of native labour. Mr.

Gunning will also represent Equatorial Gold Ex ploration (New Guinea and New Britain) Syin dicate N.L., whose property is adjacent, during the

pitting operations now proceeding there.

Koroere Starts Operations

Work has been started by Koroere Gold N.L. on the property at Tova Tova, on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji, and a tunnel is being driven on the site recommended by Mr. T. R. Victor, who recently inspected the property.

Australian Prospecting Syndicate

Messrs. T. J. Shepherd and J. yictor, consulting engineers, of Australian Prospecting N-L., advise that they arrived at Suva, Fiji, on 13th March, and after obtaining prospectors’ licences left for Tavua, next day.

Aloha Central G.M., N.L.

Directors of Aloha Syndicate G.M., N.L. at a meeting early in April decided to form a pros pecting syndicate, to be registered in Melbourne, under the name of Aloha Central G.M., N.L., with a nominal capital of £12,500, in 2500 shares of £5 each. The syndicate will carry out an exhaustive examination and testing of the 30-acre block at Tavua, Fiji, an option over which has been ob tained from the Costello interests. Five hundred shares, fully paid, will be issued to Aloha Syndi cate G.M. N.L. as part vendors’ consideration.

Shareholders in Aloha Syndicate will be offered the right to subscribe for 1800 shares at par, being at the rate of 15 shares for each share held at the closing of the register on April 9 and 200 shares will be offered at par to Mr. P. Cos tello, on behalf of himself and his interests, for cash. In addition shareholders in Aloha Syn_ dicate will receive a cash consideration of £30

for each share held as at April 9. The provisional directors are Messrs. A. T. Day, P. Costello (Fiji), G. Packer and R. W. Hallett. The prin cipal terms of the option to purchase the 30acre block at Tavua from the Costello interests are as follow: Payment of £600 for a six months’ option commencing May 1 next. If the option be exercised the vendor is to receive cash and shares to the equivalent of 30 per cent, of the capital of any company formed, and will also have the right to take up a small percentage of contributing shares for cash. Arrangements have been made with Dr. Loftus Hills, geologist, who issued the first detailed report on the field in 1933, to direct the operations of a fully-equipped prospecting party which will leave with him for Fiji by the Mariposa on May I. The party will include a qualified assayer with a com plete assay plant.

Morobe (N.G.) Gold Options

Dr. J. R. Atcherley, representative in New Guinea of Morobe (New Guinea) Gold Options N.L. reported early in April by radiogram having acquired an option on satisfactory terms over a large dredging area. Investigations to date dis close good values. The first option investigated was not considered suitable, and was declined.

Bulolo Dredge Production

Production of the four dredges of the Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd., for March, compares with that of the previous two periods as follows:

Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 dredges— Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Cubic yards 913,000 820,000 919,000 Bullion, oz 16,222 14,417 16,601 Gold, fine oz. ...

Value—

11,199 10,022 11,521 Aust. currency £95,191 £85,187 £102,248 Per cub. yd /25.02 724.94 /26.70 Working Profit .. £67,821 £58,318 £73,529 * At £A8/10/ per per fine ounce. fine ounce, t At £ A8/17/6