Fiji's Gold

Emperor Co. Investigating a New Area

From Our Own Correspondent T tt .. SUVA, June 24.

HE F131 goldfields (Tavua and Mt.

Kasi) continue to turn out their regular monthly quotas as a rou tine matter. Meanwhile, a few pros pectors are still working in various dis tricts in the Group. Evidences of gold are plentiful, but nobody has yet found anything that even remotely threatens to be a second Tavua. Perhaps the best prospect is at “Waimotu”, in the Natewa Bay area, on the eastern side of Vanua Levu, where investigations are being carried out with Emperor money.

Figures were issued recently by the Suva Chamber of Commerce, showing how gold production in Fiji has risen until it now is the colony’s second largest export, ranking next to, and not far behind, sugar:—

During 1940 regular dividends were paid by the three large mining concerns— Emperor Mines, Ltd., Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, NL, and Mount Kasi Mines, Ltd. .

Visitors to Tavua goldfield from other Pacific Islands are always surprised when they learn that Fiji’s gold industry is based mainly on telluride lodes —gold in its crude state (nuggets, etc.) is sel dom seen at Tavua. Telluride ore is found in the Emperor areas at deep levels and nearer the surface on the Loloma properties.

Our gold wizard, Mr. E. G. Theodore, recenuy accompanied His Excellency the Governor of Fiji, also High Commis sioner for the Western Pacific (Sir Harry Luke) to the Solomons, and we hope that, for the sake of our friends there, Mr. Theodore’s energy, initiative and finance can turn their undeveloped gold bearing areas into a paying proposition.

Year.

Oz. 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940