Morobe Goldfields Report For October
pp. 72-73 · Read in the full issue
October
THE following extracts are taken from the report submitted to the Administrator of New Guinea by the Warden ,of the Morobe Goldfields at the end of October: — Gold Export: —Gold and silver exported amounted to 31,606 ounces valued at £A186,427.
Geological Survey; —During the month the patrol through the Langimar and Kareeba River areas was completed and reconnaissance surveys were made in the Bulwa area. Two additional survey parties commenced operations in the localities of Sandy Creek and Upper Edie Creek respectively.
In all, four complete parties are now operating upon surveys of mining tenements.
Mining Conference: —On October 19, a meeting of technical persons interested in mining activities on the field was convened and well attended. The draft Regulations to Mines and Works Regulations Ordinance 1935 was considered, and discussed in detail.
Upper Golden Ridges: —The deposit of manganese ore being developed by New Guinea Goldfields Limited at Upper Golden Ridges is opening up very encouragingly. The Company has already completed the construction of a “Flying Fox” for transporting ore to Golden Ridges mill for treat ment.
Sandy Creek Gold Sluicing Ltd.: — Having com pleted, the installation of their hydraulic elevating plant, the Company turned on the water on October 22. This plant will not be working at maximum output for some time until modifications to pipe line fixtures and layout are effected.
N.G. Goldfields Ltd.:— The Company is making excellent progress with the installation of a stamper battery and metallurgical treatment plant in the vicinity of No. 4 Shaft at Edie Creek. This plant will be in operation in November.
Sunshine Gold Development Ltd.: —Ditching was in progress on the Baiune Water Race between the Inverted Syphon and the Water Race Intake.
The ditching over this miles section is almost completed except for completion of bye wash cuts and the fitting of water race gates, fluming and erection of weir. About 120 tons of plant including 30in., 24in., 18in., and llin. diameter pipes and hydraulic elevating plant was transported from Bulwa Drome. Drilling and pitting operations Were underway on the Sunshine Leases. Drilling ope rations ceased on the Ono Leases and the drilling equipment was removed to the Sunshine Leases. 14 Europeans and 285 natives were engaged on the Co.’s various operations.
Bulolo Gold Deposits Ltd. : -Sluicing was carried 'on continuously. Two sets of sluice boxes were in use. and two monitors were in operation. Operations
were confined to the bed of Flat Creek, and the terrace above that creek. Repairs were carried out on the water race fluming which crosses Little Wau Creek. Three new Sin. x 6in. x 24 feet hard wood stringers were placed under the fluming.
Four Europeans and a line of 69 natives were employed. One native died at the end of the month.
Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd.: —Over 60 trips were made by the Co.’s aeroplanes during the month from Lae, and 230 tons of cargo was delivered at Bulolo and Bulwa ’dromes. All four dredges operated satisfactorily; 958,000 cubic yards were mined, which yielded 16,078 ozs. (not fine) gold.
The hydraulic elevator and boxing operations at the upper end of the property handled 6,179 cubic yards, which yielded 571 unrefined ounces of gold.
Three power drills continued to operate on the Bulolo property. The work of drilling and testing of the Minerals Exploration Syndicate Ltd. near Wau was continued. Erection of steel poles to replace the wooden poles on the Bulolo-Bulowat power line was continued during the month.
Number of employees was: —238 whites, 5 Chinese, ‘984 natives.