Misima Mining
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
Reports From Two Mines
THERE appears to be some disparity in the treatment by the Commonwealth Government of two different min ing companies on Misima Island, Papua.
Almost simultaneously, circulars have been received from Cuthbert’s Misima Goldmine Limited and from Gold Mines of Papua Limited. But while Cuthbert’s report relates to the activities of the company’s maintenance party on Misima, in Gold Mines’ circular (notice of annual general meeting in Canberra on January 23) it is reported that the company has been unable to obtain permission to send anyone to the island to report on plant or property.
Cuthbert's
MR. TOM NEVITT, local director and attorney in Papua for Cuthbert’s, recently was in Sydney. He said that shortly before his visit south, he was able to visit Misima and confirms the excellent work being done on behalf of the company by the maintenance party (Messrs. Henley and Callanan, assisted by a small native labour force).
The company’s property escaped direct war damage: and indirect war damage, such as deterioration, impressment by the Army, pilferage of stores arid equipment, etc., is now expected to come under the new scope of the war damage insurance.
Much work has been done on the sur face in relation to roads and plant, but underground, Mr. Nevitt said, it was only possible to enter the No. 2 level—the majority of other levels were closed at the portals. But when restriction on
mining resumption is lifted, reclamation of fallen drives will be put in hand with out delay.
Gold Mines of Papua
THE balance sheet of Gold Mines of Papua shows that the whole of the capital of £135,000 has been lost: but the company is holding on to the pro perty—and hoping.
The company has not been permitted to send engineers to Misima to report on the condition of property and plant.
But it is believed that a large amount of stores and machinery has been removed from the leases at Mount Sisa. Particu lars have not been made available by the authorities and the directors of the com pany are unable to proceed with the com pany’s claim for compensation.