of Industry
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
New Guinea Gold
Hopes for Resumption of Industry
HOPES are entertained that, at an early date, the gold-mining industry in the Morobe district will be resumed. A great deal of damage has been done in the gold-mining centres since the invasion in January, 1942 especially at Wau and Bulolo—but the mining people have both the will and the facilities to re-commence operations, and they are pressing for permission to return.
So far, the military authorities have given them little encouragement. The Mandated Territory is under military government, and is likely to remain so for a long time after the last of the Japs have been rooted out of the jungles.
The chief problem is supply. If the goldfields people returned, it would be necessary to provide them with regular transport and communications; and, even if there is no longer any danger from Jap bombers from the northern New Guinea coast, the establishment of a regular shipping service would be diffi cult.
The most enterprising and efficient company operating on the Morobe field, Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd. (it won 1,297,416 ounces of gold and 575,726 ounces of silver, between 1932 and 1942, inclusive) is ready to go back to New Guinea, and it has its enormous equip ment, and between £1,000,000 and £1,500.000 Australian, in cash, all ready for employment. Its two hydro-electric power stations were wrecked, soon after the invasion, and its eight dredges dam aged; but it is believed that the latter damage is light. The replacement of the heavy duty hydro-electric machinery will be a difficult task under wartime con ditions, however.
The company’s 13th annual report, just issued, said that civilians had not been allowed to enter the Territory in the year ended May 31, 1943, and it was impos sible to make a survey of war damage and complete a war insurance claim. “It is certain, however, that the preliminary claim of £538,426, lodged in 1942 with the Australian War Damage Commission, will have to be supplemented,” said the directors.
The present BGD directors are: W. A.
Freeman (chairman), C. A. Banks (man aging). Frank R. Short. Leslie V. Water house, C. O. Lindberg. Karl F. Hoffmann, Raymond E. Franklin, H. A. Gould.
Lieut.-Colonel Franklin is on active ser vice with the American Army.