From Papua

Mandated Alluvials N.L.

A T an extraordinary general meeting of Mandated Alluvials, N.L., in Sydney in April, called to discuss the reixort of Mr. E. W.

Bonwick, consulting engineer, shareholders decided to send another mining engineer to Papua to check all reports that had previously been made.

Referring to metallurgical tests, Mr. Bonwick said that the amalgamation and concentration methods were not successful. The ore contains 0.9 per cent copper, and it was found that best results were obtained with a strong cyanide solu tion, which gives an 80 per cent extraction.

Tentative figures indicated the cost of a second hand treatment plant at approximately £6OOO, which would give such an extraction. With such a purchase, Mr. Bonwick estimated that ore reserves would return 5/- a share and a bonus.

provided highly efficient management were ob tained. The bonus may be 2/6 or even more, according to management. Of the ability to obtain the degree of skill necessary he expressed doubts, in view of his knowledge of Papuan conditions.

The cost of a treatment plant that would give a 92 or 93 per cent extraction was estimated at £14,000. This would consist of a ball mills, sliming, flotation, etc.

Referring to Orr and Welch’s assays of loz.. compared with his own estimates of 16 to 18 dwts.. Mr. Bon wick said that the former assays consisted of samples taken from the thickest and richest portion of the reef.

Cuthbert’S Misima Goldmine Ltd.

The general manager of Cuthbert’s Misima Goldmine Ltd.. Eastern Papua, on March 18. reported as follows: New crude oil engine erected and given satis factory trial run, and both concrete tanks for circulating clean water for this engine completed and connected with the engine. The tumbler, shaking screen, cracker and elevator erected in position and nearlv all chutes completed. Expect trive trial run mid-April. One Dorr thickener complete, and steel work for the second Dorr thickener in position. Launders to the various slime vats well advanced. The structure to carrv f he new sand drainage finalised. The vats should he completed by mid-April. Expect commence erection second 10-head stamper battery ' late in April.

Output during past three months has been: Jan. Feb. Mar Treated, tons 1840 1960 1800 Bullion, oz 2433 2905 2747 Gold, fine oz 554 609 540 Silver, fine oz 1800 2208 2114 Estimated value (at £AB) £4524 £5007 £4430 Value per ton 49/2 51/1 49/3

Dominion Gold Ltd.

Dominion Gold Limited was registered as a foreign company under the Papuan Companies Ordinance in Port Moresby on March 17. Nomi nal capital is £lO,OOO divided into shares of 2/cach. The public officer of the Company in

Papua is Mr. A. Christie, and the registered office is: Care of Mr. W. B. Molloy. barrister and solicitor, Douglas St., Port Moresby. The company at present is engaged in mining opera tions near Sapphire Creek, in the Astrolabe mineral field.

Gold Mines Of Papua Ltd.

Since the announcement to shareholders made last September operations at the mine have ac tively continued, reported the chairman of direc tors of Gold Mines of Papua Ltd. (Mr. F. G.

Pratten) on March 22. The further development of the mine has proved valuable extensions to the orebody of improved widths and values, and the erection of the treatment plant is proceeding satisfactorily. The capital of the Co. provides ample funds to bring the mine and plant to the production stage.

Mr. R. A. Rutherfurd. A.0.5.M., Senior Lode Engineer to Alluvial Gold Ltd., recently visited Misima Island and his report on G.M.O.P.’s operations is as follows: Underground Development Work: This has been confined mainly to blocking out the ore between the levels on Nos. 1 and 2 lodes by rises and winzes in preparation for stoping operations. It is satisfactory to note that the development work carried out during the last few fhonths has proved the average value and the average width of the main lode to be greater than was pre viously indicated. This improvement has been particularly marked in the intermediate East and West drive, 100 ft veidically above the drainage level. This level has now been driven 730 ft. in ore of an average grade of 40/- at £6 gold.

Pending further crosscuts the average width is not yet known, but will exceed 10ft. A winze sunk from the surface in the bed of the Gogobia Creek intersected ore of good grade. This develop ment is of impoi’tance, in that it proves the lode to be living strongly further west than it had been previously developed. The geological forma tion of these Western Leases owned by the Co. is favourable for the continuation of the ore bodies in that direction, and it is anticipated that future development in this section of the mine will materially augment the present ore reserves.

Battery Adit; In older to be able to gravitate

the ore through the mill and ensure economical handling, a main haulage adit, 450 feet long and large enough to carry a double track, was started from the battery bin level and has recently been completed.

Mill Construction: Excavation for foundations was commenced at the end of last year and very good progress has been made with the erection of the plant In spite of initial difficulties due to the nature of the ground and heavy tropical rains.

Practically all of the machinery, with the ex ception of the power plant, which is is due to arrive shortly from England, is now on Misima, and it is anticipated that the plant will be com pleted about the middle of August.

Road and Buildings: The main road from the port of Bwagaoia has been continued past the battery site well into the Co.’s timber area. Thi« road is well graded and will ensure an adequate supply of first class mining timber for some time to come. Several new bungalows have been erected to accommodate the increased staff.

Radio: A radio station has now been erected on Misima Island by the associated mining com panies and has been of very great benefit to all concerned.

Oil Search Ltd.

Oil Search Ltd., Papua, reports that Mr. E. F.

Griffin (managing director) and Mr. D. Dale Condit (chief geologist) have arrived in London on business of the company.

A report by radio from the company’s geologist in Papua states that definite indications have been found of a large anticlinal area associated with oil seepages and oil-impregnated rocks and gas.

Thorough geological examination of the subject, area is being made.

Surveys are in progress to determine the best route of access to the structure to be drilled in New Guinea, and a landing ground for aviation purposes near the drilling site is also being prepared.

The recent issue of new shares closed with a total subscription of 181,000 shares, 58,925 of which were subscribed by Johannesburg interests.