Pacific Islands Mining Notes

From Fiji

Emperor Goldmining Co. Ltd.

r\EVELOPMENT work of Emperor Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Tavua, Fiji, has practically been discontinued in order to concentrate upon pre paration of the mine for ore production on the larger scale necessary for the new treatment plant. The directors have therefore decided to discontinue the fortnightly cabled report for_ the next few months. Monthly reports on the mine and progress of the new treatment plant will be forwarded by the mine superintendent, and these will be published when received.

Good progress is being maintained with the manufacture of equipment for the new treatment plant in Australia and overseas, and preliminary work on the site is well advanced.

In their first annual report, the directors advised that the capacity of the mill is being brought up to 12,000 tons of ore a month. The new plant is due to be in commission by Sep tember next.

Returns for the last three periods compare as follows:

Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines N.L.

Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines N.L.. Tavua, Fiji, issued on February 1 the following progress re

port on the erection of the treatment plant;— Lower half of head frame assembly practically completed. Work stopped temporarily to allow main shaft sinking to proceed without interrup tion. Brace and gantry frames and legs ready for erection. Mill building foundations completed.

Crude ore bin timber work ready for erection.

Jaw crusher foundations completed. Excavations for foundations to main storage bin, also No. 3 conveyor, well in hand. Foundations for both dryers completed. Excavations for crushing rolls foundations in hand. Retaining concrete wall for roaster and dust chamber completed. Excavations for concrete base of roaster stack completed.

Manufacture of primary crusher, crushing rolls, ball mills, driers, classifier, completed. Most of iron work for roaster completed and shipped to Fiji.

Tavua Power Pty. Ltd.

Tavua Power Pty. Ltd. reports that No. 3 electric generating set was started on February 10. The whole installation, comprising a Diesel air compressor set and three Beilis and Morcom Diesel generating sets each of 525 k.w., is now completed. The company was formed to supply electrical energy and compressed air, principally to the Emperor and Loloma mines, on the Tavua goldfield. All shares in the comapny are held by Emperor Mines Ltd. and Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L.

Pacific Gold N.L.

The directors of Pacific Gold, N.L., have secured for the company a two-months’ free extension of the option over the property at Wainevisi, Fiji. The first diamond drilling bore, which was expected to intercept the lode at 134 ft, was continued to 271 ft without result, and the bore was abandoned owing to broken ground. No. 2 bore was commenced at the entrance of No. 2 adit and apart from about 6ft of soft lode formation carrying a little blende and copper pyrites, encountered at 136 ft, this bore gave negative results. A third bore has been started 214 ft from plug at No. 2 adit.

Mount Kasi Mines Ltd.

Production figures for Mount Kasi Mines Ltd., Fiji, are compared in the following table: — Four weeks ended

Koroere Gold N.L.

Directors of Koroere Gold N.L. have received a written report from the mine manager (Mr.

G. O. Ramsay), dated January 12, in which he estimated that the tonnage of ore available on the Cardigan area at Tavua, Fiji, would be 30,000 tons, giving a value of 15,0000 z. of fine gold. He also estimated that in the Koroere Hill section there would be an additional 70,000 tons of ore, which should show a milling profit of £1 a ton.

Nov. 28 *Dec. 19 Jan. 23 Ore (dry weight), tons ... 2215 1957 2080 Fine gold, oz ... 1036.9 787.4 1027.7 Head value, dwt. - 10i 8.04 10^ * Three weeks

Oct. 9f Nov. &t Dec. 4*"Jan. 28"

Ore, tons 1,590 1,627 1,500 1,853 Bullion, oz 318 452 487 352 Value, £A. ... 2,525 3,550 3,600 2,773 f Mill stopped six days for repairs to water supply. t Mill stopped five days for engine overhaul.

"" Mill stopped 54 days owing to engine breakdown. Mill closed down during December for overhaul and repairs, and resumed crushing Jan. 6. * Twenty-one days’ run. Since clean-up tailings have been reduced to less than Idwt. Manager expects better results in near future.