Pacific Mining
pp. 69-70 · Read in the full issue
Reports
From Fiji.
Mount Kasi Mines Ltd.
AT the annual meeting of Mount Kasi Mines Ltd. in May, the chairman (Mr. E. J.
Coote) said that during 1937 the management had concentrated on a wide reorganisation, and as a result, considerably improved returns were now forthcoming. Approximately one-half of the ore mined came from each end of the mine, he added, and the general widening of the ore deposit was very marked. The north end of the mine had shown improved results, whilst ore reserves were encouraging.
Mr. R. J. D. Richardson (director) said that the Company had a good chance of becoming an important gold producer. Auriferous vol canic deposits, such as existed at Mount Kasi, on Vanua Levu, Fiji, were somewhat unus ual, and presented features rather different from those of the ordinary reef deposit. The occurrence of payable values could only be dis covered by careful sampling and assaying, and by studying the results of this work to obtain a correlation between proved occurrences and profitable ore. Nevertheless payable gold had been proved to exist over a wide area, Steps were being taken shortly to ascertain if it per sisted at depth, by diamond drilling or by shaft sinking. Mr. Richardson said that recent deve lopment held out strong hopes that there would soon be enough proved ore reserves to Justify the Installation of further plant to deal with the ore more efficiently than was possible with the present one unit treatment plant.
The Company aims at a monthly treatment of 300 tons of ore. There is a general widen ing of ore as the mine is being deepened, and positive and probable reserves of 261,400 tons at balancing date are now regarded as entirely positive.
Production since February has been;—
Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines N.L.
May production figures show that Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines N.L., from an increased out put, practically maintained the grade of the previous period, and output of gold, at 2,691 fine oz., increased by 88 oz. Results since March have been:—
The first dividend return from the Fijian Gold field—a distribution of £41,250 from Loloma— was made on May 27. The payment was of 1/ a share and was on all the Issued capital. It was announced on April 12, a little more than three years after the Company’s formation.
The directors In a report issued early in June said that they have considered increasing the
capacity of the present treatment plant, and, with this in mind, have approved the sinking of a new shaft at a point about 290 feet east of No. 8 prospecting shaft. The new main shaft will obviate a considerable amount of driving at each successive level in order to reach the downward continuation of the ore body going underfoot at the 224 ft. level. The present main shaft will allow uninterrupted production whilst sinking the new main shaft, after which it will be used for developing the northern ore bodies.
To improve extraction, additional agitators, aerators, and Wilfley pumps, together with flo tation cells, are bemg installed. These additions will also provide for treatment of the high grade residues which were accumulated during the raw treatment of the ore in the early stages of milling operations.
Emperor Gold Mining Co. Ltd.
With a designed plant capacity of 3,000 tons a week, Emperor G.M. Co. Ltd., in the four weeks ended May 19, treated 13,070 tons. The greatest throughput in any previous correspon ding period was 12,113 tons. This increase in tonnage treated more than compensated for a drop in head value, and the gold yield, 3,932 oz., compares with the highest yield of 3,812V 4 0z.
Figures for May are compared hereunder with those of the two preceding periods:—
removal of overburden, functioned smoothly throughout May. The flotation plant was start
Mar. 23 *Apr. 20 May 19 Tons, crushed .. . . 12.064 11,444 13,070 Head value, dwt. .. 6.8 7.0 6.5 Yield, oz. (est.) 3,812 V 4 3,719.3 3,932 Dwt., a ton 6.32 6.50 6.0 Tailings, dwt 0.48 6.50 0.50 •Closed three days Easter. Character of ore enabled increase in dally treatment.
Productive operations generally, including the
Pour weeks ended: Feb. 23 Mar. 23 Apr. 20 May 18 Ore. tons 2,411 3,128 2,870 3,050 Gold, fine, oz. 615 661 647 626 Value. £ A. . 5,381 5,784 5,661 5,477
Mar. 23.
Apr. 20.
May 18.
Mill, ran, hours .. .. 575 595 608 Ore treated, tons . 2,020 1,980 2,050 Gold, fine oz. 2,656 2,603 2,691 Dwt., a ton 26.3 26.3 26.2 Silver, fine oz. 464 470 486 Tailings, assay, dwt. 1.9 1.95 1.9
ed up on the 23rd of the month.
The Co. reports that since the acquisition of the Koroere area, work has been confined to prospecting.
Kasi Developments Ltd.
The chairman of Kasi Development Ltd., Fiji, stated at the end of May that although the leases have been abandoned, Mt. Kasi Mines has secured over 100 acres abutting that Com pany’s area. If it is proved at depth, share holders in Kasi Developments will participate in the profits.