Papua’S Copper Ore

Interesting Inquiries Afoot

PLANS are being prepared by an Aust ralian Company, Mandated Alluvials Ltd., for development of the sub stantial deposits of copper ore which lie within about 17 miles of Port Moresby, Papua—especially at Laloki. Both the Australian Department of Natural De velopment and the Papua-New Guinea Administration view the project with sympathy.

Between 1920 and 1930 certain mining interests, represented by New Guinea Copper Mines Ltd., proceeded to recover copper from the ore of what is called the Astrolabe field. They suffered much bad luck, however, including fires in the mines,; and in 1927, when the world price of copper fell, they abandoned operations.

They were then employing 100 Europeans and 1,000 natives, and had produced copper worth over £200,000.

Just before the Pacific war, Mandated Alluvials became interested in these copper deposits, but production was interrupted by the Jap invasion. They are now proceeding with the project.

Mr. K. H. Dodge, a director of the Company, made a close examination in April and May. He says that according to assay reports the sulphide ores average 4J per cent, of copper and 2.8 dwt. of gold per ton, and the oxidised ores 13 per cent, of copper, with gold up to 15 dwt.

With copper now at £lB6 Sterling per ton, this appears to be a payable proposition.

Australia annually wants 40,000 to 50,000 tons of copper, of which over 20,000 tons have to be imported; and evidence of Governmental interests in the Papuan project is seen in the fact that the new Government Geologist in Papua, Mr. A.

K. M. Edwards, is now directing a geological survey of the copper leases held by Mandated Alluvials. The Depart ment’s Bureau of Mineral Resources is now carrying out a geophysical survey, in order to advise the company of the most likely places to seek additional bodies of ore.

It was estimated, pre-war, by Govern ment officials, that the Astrolabe field still contained 290,000 tons of ore, con taining 13,300 tons of copper and 36,250 ounces of gold.