This report was prepared by the Mineral Economics Section. Part 1 deals with the production of opal and includes sections on the history and present operations in the industry, production and overseas trade statistics, and the types of mining tenures at present available to opal miners. The fields at present being worked are described and the factors which affect production are discussed. Part 2 deals with the marketing of opal and includes sections on the cutting and preparation of stone, markets at home and abroad, and the various factors affecting trade. A number of proposals for improving trade and trading conditions generally are discussed, and the report concludes with a list of references in literature, two graphs showing the value of opal produced in each State and the whole of Australia, from 1890 to 1947, and a map of Australia showing localities mentioned in the text.

At the request of the Defence Supply Planning Branch of the Department of Supply an investigation of the Australian graphite industry was undertaken early in 1950. The particular aspects to be considered in this investigation were listed by the Planning Branch as follows: the specific defence significance of graphite and an estimate of peace and probable wartime demands, the experiences during World War II where applicable, the present and future supple position, alternative methods of ensuring that demands are met in an emergency, and the method recommended to meet demands in an emergency. This report should be considered an interim report containing recommendations for early consideration by the Planning Branch.

The Cobar field was visited during the period 18th to 24th July, mainly in connection with the exploration programme which is taking place in that area. During this visit, however, some information was obtained concerning the operations of the mines controlled by New Occidental Gold Mines, N.L., which company is being assisted financially by the Commonwealth. Estimated operational costs, grade, and production figures are given. The development, exploration, and future of the field are discussed.

The scientific search for ore in Australia is still in an early stage of development, because, until recently, a sufficient supply of metals was available from concentrations readily detectable by ordinary prospecting methods. Now the whole mineral supply position is changing and the rate of discovery of new deposits by prospectors in the present century had been quite discouraging. The Australian Government and the Australian mineral industry have recognised the need for mineral exploration both to supply home requirements and to assist in overcoming world shortages. An overview of the situation is presented in this report, which outlines the problem and the corrective reforms and activities undertaken by the state and federal governments, and mining companies, to promote mineral exploration. A summary is given of the exploration and ore-finding work undertaken by mining companies and government agencies between 1930 and 1949.

The object of this tour was to study ore deposits and methods of exploration in Africa and North America as well as to attend, as Official Delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia, the 19th International Geological Congress held at Algiers in September, 1952. A considerable amount of information was gained concerning ore deposits in the countries visited and this information should be of assistance in the search for further metal deposits in Australia. At the international Congress useful work was achieved and contact was made with a large number of geologists in various parts of the world. These contacts will facilitate the exchange of information between Australia and foreign geologists. The itinerary followed the attached as an Appendix to this report.

These notes are compiled as a result of conversations with Government officials and mining engineers in Noumea on 4-6th July, 1951. Figures are given for the production, reserves, and exports of Nickel, Chromite, Manganese, Cobalt, Iron, and other miscellaneous minerals. Most of the figures quoted herein have been compiled from records collected by the Australian Consul.

The mineral resources and mining industry of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea are the subject of this report. Mining operations, production, and geological conditions are discussed. Tables showing the estimated gold and silver production figures for the period 1926-41 are appended.

In January 1949 a brief examination was made of the area bounded by the Port Moresby - Rouna Road, the Rigo Road and the coastline between Port Moresby and Bogora Inlet, with the object of determining whether supplies of water and raw materials for the manufacture of cement were available. Possible quarry sites were chosen and specimens of the likely raw clay materials, of the limestone at Boatless Inlet, of reef limestone and limestone from the Main Road (or "Nine Mile") Quarry collected. Fourteen of these specimens are being analysed for silica, alumina, lime, iron, magnesia, carbon dioxide and water and total alkalies. As the suitability of the various raw materials examined depends largely on their chemical composition, this report must be regarded as only a preliminary one until these results are received. In this report the availability of raw materials and the general geology of the area are discussed, and a description given of the deposits of raw materials examined in the course of the visit.

This report is supplementary to Records 1948/033 and 1948/016. The information given in this report was obtained during a visit to the Western Australian Goldfields. The period April 26th to May 2nd was spent at Kalgoorlie, May 3rd and May 4th at Sons of Gwalia Mine, May 5th at Kalgoorlie, and May 6th in discussions at Perth with the Under Secretary for Mines and others. This report provides an overview of the respective positions of the Paringa Mining and Exploration Company, South Kalgurli, Kalgoorlie Enterprises, and Sons of Gwalia mines.

This report is compiled of four separate reports. (1) "Note on the Application by the Chamber of Mines, W.A." Yield, production, industry costs, and the subsidy proposal are discussed in this report. (2) "Proposal for a Subsidy to the Gold Mining Industry". This report is concerned with details of the economic position of the mines and Western Australian gold industry as a whole. (3) "Supplementary Report on the Proposal for a Subsidy to the Gold Mining Industry". This report summarises the findings of the earlier enquiry into the position of the Western Australian gold industry. (4) "The General Effect on Gold Mine Surplus of Assistance based on Production". The object of this note is to outline briefly some of the principles which require consideration in determining whatever form of assistance may be decided.