PARAPARA IRON ORE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2161, 17 August 1907, Page 2

PARAPARA IRON ORE

DR. BELL’S REPORT. GREAT STORE OF MINERAL WEALTH. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, August 15. The third of the new series of bulletins of the New Zealand Geological Survey Department prepared by Dr. Bell and his assistants was presented to Parliament to-day. The bulletin deals with the Parapara (Nelson) District and embraces an area of about 243 square miles. The principal point of interest dealt with is, of course, the Parapara iron ore deposit. These deposits; states tho expert, are of a vast" economic value, and of great scientific interest. “It seems remarkable,” says the report, “that deposits of iron ore of such immensity, of such high average quality should have remained so long unworked. Exposed as they are to the surface, they possess every facility for cheap and easy winning, while tlieir close proximity to tho sea-coast at once affords every opportuntiy for their exportation in tho crude state, or as pig-iron. The actual winning of the ore could be undertaken with little difficulty or expense by simply quarrying' on the open cut system used in the Mesabi section of Lake Superoir region, where soimvbat similar conditions prevail. The actual cost of mining is estimated at SO cents (or 3s 4(1) a ton. in Ajew Zealand the average cost should pot greatly exceed this amount, and mining operations might be conuucteu even more economically. ■ It will probably be found expeditious to convert the ore into pig-iron betor exportation.” It is stated that suitable sites for blast furnaces and reduction works are available. The ore is stated to bo of high grade and well suited to the manufacture of iron and steel. The pro in the Washbourne llloek shows a higher quality than the oilier area. The quantity of the ore, says the report, in three blocks (Waslibourne, Tukuroa, and Onakaka) is enormous. A rough estimate 'of the amount of ore showing on the suroo cni -roH M ;,s !;’ loUr » e Block gave one block may bo much greater and tis not likely to be less Tho ore bodies of tho three blocks are all in very accessible localities being nowhore more than a few miles from the seashore. The report goes on to say:— ft lias been estimated by very good authorities that at the prescut rate of consumption, withiff 50 .tears tho world s visible supply of ores now considered of a sufficiently high giade to be employed for manufacture will be exhausted. In view of these considerations the value of the immense deposits bf iron ore at Parapara cannot be doubted" and the day does not seem far distant when this ° f mineral wealth will