From Papua

Gold Mines Of Papua Ltd.

GOLD MINES OF PAPUA LTD. reports that during April the plant, running at ap proximately half capacity crushed 1,375 tons ore and recovered gold valued at approximately £930. Most of the mechanical difficulties have been overcome, but metallurgic trouble is still being experienced, the residues carrying high gold values. The preliminary run to March 31 resulted in the treatment of 1,750 tons for gold valued at £1,150, with £350 worth remaining in the plant.

Cuthbert’S Misima Gold Mine Ltd.

At the annual meeting of Cuthbert’s Misima Gold Mine Ltd. in Sydney on April 29, the acting-chairman, Mr. H. G. Carter, said that

the positive and probable ore reserves in the southern section of the Co.’s property had in creased by 50,000 tons, although some 26 000 tons had been mined during the year. The opening up of branch lodes encouraged the be lief that these increases would continue for some years. Progress was being made in devel oping the northern section, but it would be at least 15 months before ore was available. The whole of the ore reserves in the southern sec tion, and that being developed in the north ern, lay in the oxidised zone. The treatment plant was laid out entirely for dealing with oxides. There were 3,400 ft. of oxide lode avail able in the southern section, and 2,700 ft. in the north. Mr. Carter said that below the en tire length of this lode was the sulphide zone, which was quite an unknown quantity. It had not been attacked, mainly because its level was below the present drainage level of the mine.

The output was 3,000 tons a month said the chairman, and it was hoped that it could be steadily maintained. The new additions to the battery and treatment plant were now practic ally complete and were functioning satisfactor ily. These additions had primarily enabled the increased output. Their present limitation was the output of ore from the mine—the mach inery could handle all that came to the ore bin. The problem of increasing the mine out put was being met by driving a second tunnel, which should be put in service before the end of the year. Additional crushing machinery would be placed at the mouth of this tunnel, which would deal with all ore from Nos. 1,7, and 8 levels (and No. 9 when opened up), leav ing the present tunnel to deal with No. 2 level of the northern section.

The monthly reports showed that the assay values of the various ore faces ranged from one and two dwt. per ton to over one oz., add ed Mr. Carter. The faces were sampled only one daj each month, hence the samples and assays were not truly representative of the ore body. Experience had shown that the average grade over any particular section of ore was approximately 6V 2 dwts.

Recent production figures have been:—

Mandated Alluvials Ltd,

The directors of Mandated Alluvials Ltd. re ported on April 29 that “the treatment plant has been fully completed, and is now operating successfully. The first shipment of matte to the refineries will be made within the next few days”. The Co.’s property is situated near Port Moresby, Papua.

Borneo Options N.L.

Borneo Options N.L., which has a three months’ option over two areas on the old As trolabe field in Papua reports that the man ganese leases show high quality ore. The Gov ernment report is satisfactory. Additional leases of manganese and a valuable lease of iron oxide have also been acquired.

A later report stated that the manganese and red oxide areas will not require more than £lOO monthly for labour. No machinery will be required. The gold lease promises to be pro fitable and economical to work, and prelimin ary arrangements for smelting ore have been made. Three dormies, which should prove in teresting, have been located.

Papuan Apinaipi Petroleum Co. Ltd.

The May report of Papuan Apinaipi Petroleum Co. Ltd. stated that No. 2 bore had been drill ed to 564 ft. On a report from the Co.’s geologist, Mr. Launcelot Owen, it has been de cided to cease drilling No. 2 bore for the pre sent, and move the drilling plant to the Olapu area, where drilling will commence next month.

The location for No. 3 bore having been select ed, the manager, Mr. Haynes, states that the transfer of the drilling plant presents practic ally no difficulty. Mr. Haynes and Mr. Owen reached Sydney early in May to confer with directors and the Commonwealth Oil Advisory Committee on the Co.’s future drilling pro gramme.

The Permit issued to the Co. by the Papuan Administration has been renewed for one year from April 1. It confers upon the Co. the exclusive right to prospect for oil over an area of 75 sq, miles in the Gulf and Central Divis ions.

Mr. C. G. Harris, of Djaul Island,

Kavieng, New Guinea, arrived in Sydney

early in May, after a visit to Europe, and left by the next steamer for Rabaul.

Feb. Mar. Apr.

Treated, tons 3,062 2.805 2,656 Bullion, oz 3,305 2,814 2.496 Gold, fine oz 918 845 764 Silver, fine oz 1,876 1,550 1,503 Estimated Value (Gold at £A8 per oz.) £7.438 £6,833 £6.184 Value, per ton .. .. 48/7d. 48/9d. 46/7d.