Morobe Goldfield
p. 74 · Read in the full issue
Mining Warden’s Reports
THE monthly report made to the New Guinea Administration by the Mining Warden of the Morobe goldfield covering operations of the various companies during September, stated:— Gold and silver exported during September amounted to approximately 24,243 ounces, valued at £A140,487, an increase of £A32,083 over August production.
Geological Survey. Geological reconnaissance work proceeded in the Langimar locality; the party is expected to return in October.
Staff.—Mr. A. E. Fry joined the Mines Depart ment Staff at Wau, on September 27, as In spector of Mines and Machinery.
Day Dawn South (N.G.) N.L.—No. 1 vein—34o ft. level: North Drive off West X cut has been advanced 37ft. Total 172 ft. At 155 ft. in the lode was met with and the drive has been continued in ore.
Sunshine Gold Development Ltd.—Consolidated Watut Claims: Benching and ditching of the Baiune Water Race was in progress between the water race intake and the inverted syphon site. Trans port: 90,000 lbs. of plant and machinery and sundry cargo was transported from Bulwa aerodrome. The final shipment of pipes, etc., arrived at Lae on September 19, and about 150 tons are still at Lae awaiting transport to Bulwa. Building Construc tion: No. 5 staff quarters was completed and a native hospital was also erected. Sunshine Leases: Drilling and testing by timbered shafts was in progress.
Bulolo Gold Deposits Ltd.—Sluicing was carried on continuously during the day in Flat Creek. Two sets of 4 feet boxes, 72 feet each in length, were in use, and three monitors were in operation. The water was used during the night for flushing tail ings from the tail-race. All timber has been felled in Flat Creek up to the southern boundary of the lease. Repairs were carried out on the bridge crossing the Co.’s water-race at Kunai Creek, which is situated in New Guinea Gold fields’ agricultural lease. A line of 69 natives were employed during the period. The health of same was good. Four Europeans were employed and no sickness prevailed.
New Guinea Goldfields Ltd.—Edie Lode No. 1: No. 1 shaft sunk an additional 46 feet to a total of 420 feet below the collar. Edie Lode No. 4: No. 3 level, winze, sunk 3 feet and stopped, at 32 feet, owing to water. Karuka Lode: Haulage crosscut advanced 93 feet to a total of 913 feet from the portal. Shaft sunk 25ft. to a depth of 80ft. below the collar. No. 1 level crosscut to shaft, from haulage crosscut (at intersection with No. I level drive), commenced and advanced 83 feet from centre of crosscut. Diamond drill hole No. 3 put down a further 131 feet to 385 ft.
Koranga Gold Sluicing Ltd.—Tribute: Removal of slide from open cut caused two weeks’ delay.
Advanced upstream 100 feet. Wau Race: Resumed work on removal of slide on September 22. No. 1 Face; Rail race bringing in fall advanced 150 feet. Adit, New Guinea Goldfields Ltd.—Advanced to 338 feet; crosscut advanced to 110 feet.
Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd.—The Co.’s aircraft made 77 trips, delivering approximately 223 short tons of freight from Lae, Bulowat and Bulolo aero dromes. The four dredges were in operation throughout the month and handled 931,000 cubic yards for a yield of 16,259 unrefined ounces of gold.
The hydraulic elevator and boxing operations at the upper end of the property handled 4,464 cubic yards, which yielded 520 unrefined ounces of gold.
Drilling and Testing: Examination of the Bulolo Gold Deposits mining leases was completed, and testing commenced on other properties in the Wau district. Three power drills on the Bulolo property accomplished 1,387 feet of drilling and three shifts were engaged in sinking test shafts. Further pro gress was made with the erection of steel poles on the Bulowat-Bulolo power line. Co.’s total em ployees at September 30 were: White 240, Chinese 5, natives 965.