The Phosphate Hunt
p. 119 · Read in the full issue
Is On
TWO geologists of the New Zealand Geological Survey have recently been carrying out a search for phosphate deposits—and no doubt of other strategic min erals —in the Cook Islands.
No such deposits were found on Rarotonga, which is scarcely sur prising considering the size of the island, and the extensive search for phosphate and guano deposits made throughout the Pacific in past years.
It will be recalled, however, that the British Phosphate Com missioners and other interests in Australia and New Zealand announced last year that a re survey of all likely deposits was to be made, in view of the steadily declining phosphate resources of Nauru, Ocean, and Makatea islands.
The small deposits of low-grade phosphate to be found on a great many islands in the South Pacific, and not considered economically workable in the past, will un doubtedly increase in value in coming years, unless other cheap forms of fertiliser are found for the farm lands of Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.