Geologists Busy In

Viti Levu

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, August 10.

DR. W. SKIBA, Senior Geologist in Fiji, has reported on pro gress made during the first year’s operations of the geological survey of Fiji.

The survey (financed by a Colonial Development Fund grant) is not only to assess the mineral resources of the Colony but to assist all future agricultural and engineering projects.

The staff consists of Dr. Skiba, one other geologist, one clerk, four field assistants and, when one can "be found, a draughtsman.

Work will at first be confined to Viti Levu.

Much of the first year was taken up in organisation and a general familiarisation survey of the prin cipal mines and mineral occurrences.

Plans for the next two years in clude mapping and brief examina tion of the Sigatoka Valley and mapping and commencement of de tailed survey of the more important mineralised areas of the west coast of the island.

Copper-zinc deposits in the Waini vesi Valley have been examined here and numerous massive bould ers of magnetite, outcrops of white marble, limestone deposits and black-sand deposits at the mouth of the Dawasamu are reported as of possible economic value.

Important manganese deposits in the area, additional to those already being worked on a small scale, were investigated.

During the year, Dr. C. F. David son, chief geologist of the British Atomic Energy Division, paid a visit to Fiji and, together with Dr.

Skiba, examined various outcrops for possible uranium ore. Results of this visit were not published.

Dr. Roger Revelle and twelve geologists of the Scripps Oceano graphic “Capricorn” expedition also visited the island. Dr. Revelle will exchange information on oceano graphic findings in the area for in formation on the geological history and structure of Viti Levu obtained by Geological Survey.

Work planned for this year in cludes the systematic mapping and investigation of ranges in the Nadi area, with particular attention to copper, pyrites and gold mineral isation, investigation of some areas m the upper Sigatoka Valley made accessible by a new road, and a geological and geomorphological in vestigation of the Nadrau Plateau as specifically requested by the governor It will bs recalled that His Excellency is, during September, personally visiting this area, re garding which great hopes of de velopment are held.

L eonore Morris, formerly of the SPC staff, Noumea, has gone to Korea with the UN Reconstruction Agency.