The Wallaroo-Moonta copper field offers a challenge to modern geological and geophysical ore-finding methods. After the production of some 338,066 tons of copper valued at over 20 million pounds, large scale mining ceased in 1923. In spite of the present urgent need for copper, investigators have agreed that no good purpose can be served by re-opening the old mines and that any further substantial production from the field depends upon the discovery of new ore-bodies. Since the ore-bearing rocks are almost completely covered by superficial deposits, it is not unreasonable to suppose that there are still undiscovered ore-bodies in the field. Nevertheless some 30,000 feet of diamond drilling have been carried out in the past and the results, generally speaking, have been very poor. This is not surprising, perhaps, when the local nature of ore occurrences and the vast extent of barren country rock is contemplated. It appears that there is a clear task for geological and geophysical methods to select sites where diamond drilling will have the maximum chance of intersecting ore. The masking of the surface geology immediately suggests the application of geophysical methods and in 1929 some work was carried out at Moonta by the Imperial Geophysical experimental Survey. After a limited amount of work this Survey was forced to the conclusion that the field presented greater difficulties to electrical prospecting, owing principally to the screening effect of the saline overburden. Since 1929, however, geophysical technique has progressed considerably, and more is known concerning the physical conditions of the field. In view of the possible prize at stake it was therefore decided early this year to re-open and carry out further geophysical surveys. The work was carried out in close co-operation with the South Australian Mines Department, which had previously made extensive investigations of the structural geology, and had recommended the use of the geophysical methods.

It was recently suggested by Mr. N. White, Superintendent of Minerals Production, N.S.W., that a geophysical survey be made of the Commonwealth Deep Lead near Glen Innes as part of a campaign to prospect for stanniferous wash beneath the basalt cover. In company with Mr. N. White and Mr. E. Dow, an inspection was made of the area on the 7th and 8th October, in order to determine in the first place whether the problem offers scope for geophysical methods. A geophysical survey, if carried out, would commence in the vicinity of what is known as the Commonwealth Mine and the inspection was made primarily of that area. At present there is no activity at the Commonwealth Mine, which is actually the site where some alluvial deposits were first dredged for tinstone in 1909 by the Commonwealth Tin Dredging Company, N.L., on PML 25, Ph. Wellington, Co. Gough.

An overview of the types, occurrence, supply and production of asbestos in Australia, 1942.

This report is based entirely on the following typewritten report obtained from the Mines Department of Tasmania: Scott, J.B. 'Report on Mineral Leases 79 P/M, 30 P/M, 82 P/M, 83 P/M, 78 P/M, 71 P/M, 64 P/M, 65 P/M, 66 P/M, and 107 P/M, King Island, chartered in the name of the Sea Elephant Prospecting Association, 6th December, 1926'. The Sea Elephant tin deposit is situated about five miles west from the Sea Elephant Bay on the east coast, and 16 miles by road from Currie, the chief port on the west coast. The deposit consists of sand and clay overlying tin-bearing drift. A detailed account of the deposit is provided in this report.

Boring by the Alice Springs Works Department and by Webb Bros. of Mt. Riddock Station showed that subterranean water supplies in the schists and gneisses in this area are usually small in quantity and that the water is brackish. The best chances of obtaining water for the mining fields seems to lie in sinking relatively shallow wells on the creeks and depressions running northward from the Harts Range. These depressions are believed to contain from 30 to 60 ft. of alluvium. Eight possible sites for wells were selected, two being within the foothills of the main range and six at a distance of 1.5 to 2 miles from the foothills of the range. Six of these sites are now being tested by a light hand-boring plant. This plant is expected to penetrate the alluvium quickly and wells will be sunk where favourable results are obtained. The sites selected are within easy reach of the following mines: Jenkins' Mine, The Spotted Tiger Mine, B. Rech's (Rex?) Mine, Hit and Miss Mine, Central Mine and Eldorado Mine.

The mica used in modern aircraft sparking plugs, of which the attached section is representative, serves a triple purpose, viz: (a) Insulation of the electric current; (b) Protection of the insulating layers from heat; (c) As an effective seal against gas leakage. The use of mica in the construction and manufacture of aero engine sparking plugs is decribed herein.

The Pink Lakes, also known as Linga Lakes, lie in the Parish of Mamengoroock, Country of Weeah, in north-western Victoria, about 10 miles north-north-east of the small town of Underbool on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo railway (See Fig. 1). The three lakes known as the Pink Lakes that are being worked for salt are Sailor Lake, Lake Crosby and Crescent or Home Lake. The areas of the salt leases are: Sailor Lake leases, 206 acres; Lake Crosby leases, 395 acres; Crescent Lake leases, 311 acres. Portions of the above areas are occupied by the beaches and fore-shores of the lakes, and the total potential salt-bearing surface of the three lakes is actually about 700 acres. In addition to the Pink Lakes above-mentioned there are in the vicinity two other salt lakes viz: (a) Lake Poulton, about 70 acres in area, and two miles west of Lake Crosby, and (b) an un-named lake, here referred to as 'School' Lake, probably rather less than 50 acres in area and situated one mile south of the west end of Crescent Lake. Salt is formed on both these lakes, but Lake Poulton is somewhat difficult of access on the north-east and north, and School Lake is in a Government Reserve and is not available for leasing. The geology and salt resources of the Lakes are outlined. Several proposals, put forward with a view to increasing the yield of salt from Pink Lakes, are discussed herein.

In company with Mr E.B. Dow a visit was paid to Kingsgate on Monday, November 9th, 1942, and a brief examination made of the pipes which were being mined for quartz crystals. These comprise: The Giant Blow, Pipers Hole, The Arsenic Blow, The Muck Pipe, and Goodwin's Pipe.

The principal heavy mineral deposits occur along the stretch of beaches from Ballina to Tweed Heads, in northern New South Wales, though lesser, but still commercial, accumulations are known at least as far south as Coff's Harbour, and north to Southport in Queensland. Beaches at Yamba, Wooli, and at Fingal have been worked out by Porter and Derrick, the principal producers. This report gives an overview of mineral occurrence, and the formation, composition, and origin of the deposits.

Preliminary assessment of core recovered from drill holes Nos. 22, 23, and 24, King Island.