Reports
p. 71 · Read in the full issue
Pacific Islands Mining Reports From Fiji
Tavua Gold Developments Ltd.
D.R. LOFTUS HILLS, mining geologist, has submitted to the directors of Tavua Gold Developments Ltd. a report on the company’s pro perty at Tavua, Fiji. Options were originally acquired over four areas which showed promising possibilities.
Summarising operations carried out, Dr. Hills advises that the work on Morton’s area has been disappointing, and no further expenditure is war ranted at present. All the lodes have been tested by adits and diamond drilling, but the results do not show the existence of any body of ore down to 300 feet which could be the basis of successful mining operations.
The results at Wai Kata Kata, although show ing values of 4.5 dwt. in places, indicate a lack of longitudinal and depth continuity. Such continuity being essential to possible economic operations on a low-grade proposition, these areas must be now classed as unattractive.
The results of the work during the past six months on the Homeward Bound area are, Dr.
Hills states, important and encouraging. Diamond drilling and shaft sinking have exposed a lode sys tem carrying gold values averaging 10 dwt. a ton.
There is here a potential mine. The phase of working now reached is the systematic opening up of the lode system by shafts, drives and cross cuts at the 100-feet level. The policy should be to concentrate on the Homeward Bound, which should continue to show good results.
GOLD MINES OF FIJI AND FIJI GOLD
Cease Operations
Two companies, formed to test areas in Fiji, have decided to cease operations, boring having failed to give the results anticipated.
The management of Gold Mines of Fiji N.L. re ports that the third bore on Goodsir’s block has been completed at 351 feet, without results.
Fiji Gold N.L. has completed the fourth bore on Ragg’s block, also without results.
All bores put down -by both companies on their areas have given negative results.
Emperor Mines Limited
The directors of Emperor Mines Ltd., reported on September 11 that Mr. H. J. C. Conolly, of Western Mining Corporation, Ltd., and consult ing geologist at Emperor, has returned from Tavua goldfields, Fiji.
In a preliminary report, he states that ore re serves comprise approximately 720,000 tons De veloped oxidised ore is 620,000 tons, and telluride ore 50,000, while partly-developed ore, consisting mostly of telluride, is 50,000 tons. Mr. Conolly estimates the values of the oxidised ore at lOdwt. fine gold a ton Taking gold at £B/10/ an oz. (Australian) values in the mine at present, on the data supplied, would represent a total of ap proximately £3,000,000 gross. Working costs at £1 a ton, and Fijian gold taxation of 5 per cent., would absorb about £1,000,000, leaving £2,000,000.
Issued shares in the company are 1,500,000, but these will be increased to 1,850,000 if the vendors, who have received 600,000 fully-paid shares already, exercise their option to take up a further 350,000 shares at par’ (10/), within 18 months, starting from September 15, Emperor Mines production for the four weeks to September 5, compared with the two previous yields, was:—
Mt. Kasi Mines Ltd.
The mine manager of Mount Kasi Mines Limited hiji, reported early in September as follows:
Mandated Gold N.L.
Directors of Mandated Gold N.L. state in their report for the year ended February 29 that during the period a number of properties were investi gated but none proved worthy of consideration, having regard to the company’s limited finances, since the close of the accounts a parcel of 100
shares of £lO paid to £2 has been acquired in Fiji Mining Corporation, N.L., which has a pro perty on the Tavua field in Fiji. Developments to date are said to have been most encouraging, and the directors of that company believe that a valu able mine will be developed. Operations have been suspended temporarily, pending further progress by adjoining companies, which are proving the lode at depth.
Four weeks ended July 11.
Aug. 8 Sept. 5 Ore treated, tons ... . 2275 2277 2315 Plead value, dwt . 10.14 10.5 10.0 Gold, oz. fine . 1050^4 1048 1060 From slag, oz. fine 98 y 2
Four weeks ended, July 3. Aug. 14. Sept. 11* Ore tons 867 ,. 848 .. 1444 Buhon °z 252 .. 295 .. 358 Value (Aus. cur.) .. 1861 .. 2260 .. 2601 * Mill stopped five days for repairs and renewals. Main south-east drive No. 2 level has been advanced 13ft., average 16dwt.