Pacific Mining

Reports

From Fiji

Pacific Gold N.L.

Shareholders of Pacific Gold N.L., at an extra ordinary meeting on October 31, altered the rules to enable the syndicate to enter into an agree ment with the Pacific Gold Syndicate to acquire options to purchase prospecting licences in Fiji.

Mr. H. C. Cornforth, who presided, said the Pacific Gold Syndicate was formed a year ago to investi gate likely gold-bearing areas on the Tavua field, Fiji. Prospecting, research work and geological investigation disclosed the possibility of certain areas having favourable prospects. Under agree ments entered into by the syndicate, options were acquired over three substantial areas, in respect of which two prospecting licences had been issue. In addition, a prospecting licence had been granted over an area of approximately 127 acres. The syndicate controlled 637 acres, and the areas were within a field where gold-bearing formations had been definitely established. The areas had been taken over by Pacific Gold N.L. on advantageous terms. The consideration payable to the Pacific Gold Syndicate was 396 fully-paid shares of £lO each, and an option to subscribe for a further 198 shares at par within two years from September 24, 1935. Expenses were also to be refunded, the amount being equal to the 396 fully-paid shares allotted. Advice had been received from the resi dent director (Sir Maynard Hedstrom) that the registration of the syndicate had been effected.

The areas held in Fiji are: (1) P.L. 367 of 170 acres under option from M. J. White, J. White, and J. Dodds, adjoining the northern boundary of No. 236 (Mr. Theodore’s); (2) P.L. 266 of 240 acres under option from Sir Maynard Hedstrom, adjoining southern boundary of 243 (Mr. Theodore’s); (3) 100 acres in Naitasiri district, 30 miles north of Suva under option from A. R. Reeve, who has applied for prospecting licence; (4) P.L. 268 of 127 acres at Tavua, datum peg Laka Laka, issued to Pacific Gold Syndicate.

Vees United N.L.

A report has been received by Vees United N.L. from Dr. Loftus Hills, consulting geologist, on prospecting licence 245, Sigatoka district, Fiji, in which he gives results of his sampling on the option held by the company. He advises that sampling shows traces of gold. The formation is well de veloped and impressive. The lode outcrop can be traced for a length of 2000 feet, and the width exposed in the trenches along the lode outcrop is up to 40 feet. Other parallel lode formations exist, but are not yet prospected. Dr. Loftus Hills recom mends further prospecting work should be under taken subject to certain negotiations with the vendors being completed satisfactorily.

Gold Mines Of Fiji N.L.

Reporting to Gold Mines of Fiji N.L. on Flemon’s area, Dr. Loftus Hills, consulting geolo gist, stated in October that two lode systems enter south—Emperor and Loloma. Each comprises lodes. There is some evidence that the Cardigan lode becomes incorporated with west of the Loloma lode system in Loloma lease. A series of lodes belonging to Emperor and Loloma occur within the Emperor and Loloma areas south of the southern boundary of Lease 271 on which some are visible; the dolerite cover hides continuation of others.

Diamond drilling is designed to penetrate these lodes. Four lodes carrying gold have been located on Goodsir’s block. Formations are 10 to 15ft. wide in each of 10 adits. Assays show maximum gold content 3dwts, but there is an encouraging consistency in assays from 2 to 3dwts. Promising possibilities at levels below the river are indicated.

Two lode formations are opening on Chalmers’ block. Assays are 2dwts a ton. Formations partly opened on Hall’s block are intrusive (gold bearing) dykes and not lodes.

On his_ return to Australia in November, Dr.

Loftus Hills explained to the directors the progress of work on the company’s blocks at Tavua. Boring to date on Flemon’s block has disclosed the exis tence of a lode formation at 91 feet. The lode was passed through at 198 feet, the total depth being 312 feet, in country rock. The bore is being carried down to the full capacity of the drill, to prove the existence of any formations below this depth. An adit, now in 50 feet, is being driven from the creek in the south-east corner and has disclosed highly-developed shearing, considered to be encouraging. Developments on prospecting licence 224, just north of Goodsir’s block, indicate the existence of a series of parallel lodes running north-west and south-east, running towards the Natolevu Bluff in this area. Dr. Loftus Hills estimates the width of this lode to be at least 700 feet, and at present four adits are being extend ed into the Bluff, about one chain apart, all m lode formation, with the intention of lining up by a crosscut the entire width of the lode before commencing drilling. Assays show from 1 to 3 1 / 2 dwt. Values on prospecting licence 214, leased by Fiji Mining Corporation, appear to be at the inter section of two transverse lodes, the east-west running towards the Bluff in this area.

Fiji Mining Corporation N.L.

A rich shoot of ore has been met by Fiji Mining Corporation N.L., Tavua, Fiji, in No. 3 shaft, down 35 feet. Progress reports, dated November 2 and 4, are as follow: The 2ft. stone cut in No. 3 shaft 350 ft. S.E. of No. 1 shaft has passed out of shaft; will continue sinking, then xcut. No. 2 shaft.

Gold showing in sulphide lode. No. 1 shaft W. xcut to 50ft.; valueless. S. drive to 39ft., last Bft. value 4dwt a ton. No. 2 shaft sunk 50ft; value 4dwt a ton. No. 3 shaft sunk 35ft. Sample E. end of shaft over sft. depth in rich shoot 15oz 12dwt a ton. Bottom of shaft in sulphide lode. Value 20dwt a ton. Pump in position; trial run Tuesday.

Mount Kasi Mines Ltd.

The directors of Mount Kasi Mines Ltd. have decided to increase the issued capital of the company from 330,007 shares of 3/- each to 396,008 shares of 3/- each by the issue of a further 66,001 shares. The new shares will be offered to share holders in the proportion of one new share for every five shares held, at a premium of 7/- per share. The terms of payment are 2/6 (represent ing 9d capital and 1/9 premium) on application, 2/6 (representing 9d capital and 1/9 premium on allotment), and two calls of 2/6 (9d capital and 1/9 premium) each, to be made at intervals of not less than two months.

The manager in Fiji reports that from September 11 to October 10, 3370 z of fine gold were recovered, worth £A2950. It is now anticipated that with the continuous running of the mill, costs should not exceed 25/- per ton.

Granites Development N.L.

On November 1 the following radio was received by the Melbourne management of Granites Develop ment N.L. from Fiji: Waindoi.—Adits No. 1 ex tended to 40ft., No. 2 to 9ft., No. 3 to 16ft., No. 4 to Bft., No. 10 to 15ft., No. 11 to 16ft., No. 12 to 25ft. Three new adits near Faulkner’s hole driven during October 15ft. to 25ft.; also two others S. of range. Samples not yet assayed.

Nasivi (Fiji) Gold Syndicate

As a result of their continued efforts to clarify the position which has arisen from the irregularities associated with the samples from the company’s property, situated at Raki Raki, Fiji, directors of Nasivi (Fiji) Gold Syndicate N.L. announce that a letter has been sent to the Fijian Government with the request that an investigation into the affairs of the company be carried out. Full details regarding the company have been furnished to the

Fijian authorities, together with affidavits of all share dealings by each and every one of the directors, affidavits in respect of the samples re ceived in Melbourne, details regarding the daily quotations of the company’s shares on the Mel bourne market, full details regarding any activities of the company in Fiji, duplicate copies of all re ports furnished by the company to the Melbourne Stock Exchange and the Melbourne newspapers, together with a copy of the prospectus, details re lating to capital and a general resume of the action and actions taken by the board in Melbourne. It was the intention of the board, by a resolution on October 14, that immediately advice was received from the Fijian Government as to its intentions, to place the matter in the hands of the Crown Law authorities in Victoria.

At a meeting of the directors late in October the action of Mr. G. M. Hume, a director of the company, in requesting the Attorney-General of Victoria to investigate the matter was confirmed, and the following resolution was unanimously carried: “That the manager of the company write to the Attorney-General of Victoria to the effect that the board has been notified of the action taken by Mr. Hume, and that the board requests the Attorney-General that a full, free, and open inquiry be commenced—if necessary a Royal Com mission be appointed—and made into the affairs and actions of the Nasivi (Fiji) Gold Syndicate N.L. to determine the interference of any samples which were sent to Melbourne for assay; every activity of the Nasivi Syndicate in connection with pro perty in Fiji; such details incidental thereto.”

Totola Syndicate Ltd.

The Totola Syndicate Limited, of Sydney, has now been registered in Fiji, and application has been made to the Fiji Mining Board for an area near Nativi, which lies inland from Viti Levu Bay, on the north-east corner of Viti Levu.

Emperor Mines Ltd.

It was announced early in November that official quotation had been granted by the Melbourne Stock Exchange to 900,000 contributing shares of 10/- each, fully paid, in Emperor Mines Ltd. This company holds all the shares in Emperor Gold Mining Co. Ltd., which is operating the rich Emperor mine at Tavua, Fiji.

A return averaging slightly under an oz a ton was reported by the company on November 9, 470 tons returning 515.50 z of bullion, containing 4520 z of fine gold, a grade of over 19dwt a ton.

Head values were 20.2dwt, and the loss in tailings . l.ldwt. Following are the past two yields: Oct. 5. Nov. 2 Ore (dry weight), tons 365 .. 470 Fine gold, oz 360 .. 453 Grade, dwt 19.7 .. 19.2

Fiji Gold N.L.

The committee of the Stock Exchange of Mel bourne had deferred consideration of the applica tion for listing Fiji Gold N.L. until such time as the committee’s requistion for information relating to the allotment of shares has been complied with.

A recent report from Dr. Loftus Hills and the company’s engineer is as follows: F. S. Ragg’s area: Unwatering shaft and driving xcut to penetrate downward trend of lode exposed in surface trenches.

Water was too heavy to be dealt with effectively by bailing. Decided to confine work at present to driving of tunnels into lode outcropping in creek to S. of shaft, with a view to ascertaining some characteristics of lode formations and its trend as a preliminary to possible future diamond drilling.

Work proceeding. Fyfe’s area: Been prospected to a considerable extent on surface. Occasional lode outcrops been found. From one of these assay of 2dwt was obtained. Trenching being carried out on this. Budd’s area: Testing being carried out, with an apparent improvement. Gunga Singh’s area: Prospecting in deepest valleys disclosed lode formations. Being opened up with object of deter mining its strike and depth, as a preliminary to possible future diamond drilling.

Aloha Central G.M. N.L.

.Mr. Campbell, consulting engineer to Aloha Central G.M. N.L., Tavua, Fiji, has returned to Melbourne after a visit to the mine, and has submited a report to the board. Summarised, the report states that development on the Sultan lode covers a length of 480 feet, and five crosscuts, over a length of 438 feet, show an average width of 16 feet, at an average depth of 27 feet. The average of the reported assays from these crosscuts is Sy 2 dwt, and from the drives is as follows: North drive, from No. 1A shaft, east crosscut, from 2ft. to 37ft.! 14.6dwt; south drive, from No. 2 adit to 78ft., B.Bdwt; north drive, from No. 2 adit to 39ft., 4.6dwt!

At the north end of the north drive, from No. 2 tunnel, the lode has narrowed to a width of 1 foot measured at right angles to the dip, which is here flattening The east crosscut from No. 1 shaft, at a depth of 55 feet, passed through the lode, which

is here 4 feet wide and assays from a trace to 19 grains. A south drive shows a width of 4 feet, assaying a trace at 8 feet from the crosscut. The reduction in size and value of the lode is probably due to the fact that it has entered a zone of dense hard volcanic rock. The prospects of the Sultan lode lie in the possibility of a recurrence in depth of zones favourable to ore deposition, and to determine this, and the width and course of the lode below the present workings, three diamond drill bores will be drilled to vertical depths of 110 feet, 300 feet and 400 feet below the surface. The first, which is expected to cut the lode channel ;.t a depth of 144 feet, measured along the bore, and 110 feet vertically below the surface, has been commenced from a point 158 feet east of the lode.

Loloma West Ltd.

The representative at Tavua, Fiji, of Loloma West Limited cabled to his company’s office in Melbourne on October 30 as follows: “Hotsprings area—sinking on outcrop near S.E. boundary, shaft down 18ft. in andesite. Exposed lode in two trenches in N.E. area, and began sinking on flat formation W. of river. Roskelly’s area —No. 2 diamond drill to 341 ft., in andesite. Continuing surface prospecting toward S. boundary.”

Tavua Gold Developments Ltd.

Dr. Loftus Hills, consulting geologist to Tavua Gold Developments Limited, advises that diamond drilling on prospecting licence 209, Tavua, Fiji, has demonstrated the continuance of the Emperor lode system into the area as a strongly developed lode down to 200 feet below the surface at the bore site. The values at 200 feet are low, but this is probably due to irregular distribution of the gold values. The character of the lode material justifies expectation of higher values above the strike or dip of the lode. No. 4 bore is expected to cut the lode at 300 feet. The assay values of No. 1 bore are important, but the assay values of Nos. 2 and

3 bores do not detract from the value of the areas. He considers there is every justification for continuing the present policy of exploration.

East Reefs Consolidated N.L.

Having examined Terry’s and Roger’s blocks, of 500 acres each, in the Yanawai district, west of the Mt. Kasi mine, Vuce district, of Vanua Levu, Fiji, Mr. C. G. Hylton has submitted a report to the directors of East Reefs Consolidated N.L. Mr.

Hylton states he was much impressed with the field and its possibilties, and recommends a more vigor ous policy of prospecting. Prospecting has been confined principally to Terry’s licence block on the mountainous ridge running north-west to south east approximately 900 feet above the Yanawai River, and 1600 feet above sea level. Fourteen adits were put in at varying distances on both the east sides of the ridge, showing 25 to 50 feet of backs.

In every instance the material located by the lodes was andesite pug or tufts, carrying gold of an unpayable value. It was evident from the work done, Mr. Hylton states, that the adits had been put it at too high a position on the ridge, conse quently they were overlying what might be the lode proper. Had they been put in at the bottom of the ridge they would have shown backs of 250 feet. Instructions had been given to put in

two adits from the eastern side at the bottom of the ridge. There are many leaders on the east side of the ridge, where free gold can be obtained by dish washing, and should these adits now going in prove unsuccessful it may be necessary to sink a shaft and crosscut, or further test the country on this side by diamond drilling. Mr. Hylton adds that during his visit two more prospecting blocks, of 500 acres each, and north of Roger’s block, had been pegged out and the lines cut, but the prospects were not encouraging enough to warrant spending the money on their application, and they had been abandoned. A block of approxi mately 250 acres, lying between East Reefs and Vatukaisia and Mt. Kasi, had been pegged, and application made for a prospecting licence. It was on this block that good prospecting values were obtained.