A visit was made to inspect the limestone and dolomite deposits at Cow Flat and Walls Siding. An overview of the working of these deposits, which includes details of the leases, production, prices, plant operations, future developments, and the present positions of the owner companies, is given in this report.

Two earlier reports on this subject dealt with this industry on the basis of information then available and virtually omitted from consideration the activities of the producer and consumer subsidiaries of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. This company has now supplied detailed information, particularly on its plans for production and it is therefore necessary to review the industry afresh. The production and consumption of asbestos in Australia are discussed in this report.

In response to a request from Mr. W.H. Williams, Director of Mines, Tasmania, a geological survey was made of the asbestos deposits situated near the tunnel on the Emu Bay railway, 5 miles north-east of Zeehan. A programme of investigation was set out involving a detailed survey of the deposit, prospecting and development work, an assessment of potential fibre grades and ore values, and research into milling practice and market utilization of fibre. The geological survey and related investigation, which are the focus of this report, were concerned mainly with the first three items. Three plates, including a geological map, surface plan, and a plan showing underground workings and effective grades, are attached to this report.

Attention was directed to the inadequacy of supplies of acid grade fluorspar in Australia when the Bureau of Mineral Resources was asked to sponsor an application to import a quantity from England in 1948. The British Ministry of Supply released a proportion of the amount required but advised that the supply position in England was not secure and only limited quantities could be released for export in the future. The Ministry suggested that if known Australian requirements were likely to be heavy, some material might be supplied as a matter of urgency. An investigation of the fluorspar industry in Australia was then undertaken to estimate future requirements and the extent to which these could be met from domestic sources; the results of this investigation are the subject of this report. The uses, grading, consumption, supply, prices, and projected future supplies of fluorspar are discussed.

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.

This report arises from an application by Tableland Tin Dredging, N.L. that tin mining be exempt, like gold mining, from taxation. A detailed examination was made of the tin-mining industry, the results of which are attached to the Report: Appendix I outlines the economic position of the Australian tin industry, and Appendix II summarises the positions of the individual mines. Since the application was first submitted, amendments to the Act have considerably improved the taxation position of mining companies. During the investigation the conclusion emerged that, notwithstanding the recent decided improvements in taxation as applied to mining, some further improvements seemed desirable. Since it was found inadvisable, on grounds of economics policy, to make a special case for the tin industry, proposals were put forward for the mining industry as a whole, using data collected from various mines as particular examples of the effects of taxation.

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.

Report on mine maintenance, costs, equipment, employment, reserves, and workings.

The relevant portions of letters from Non-Metallics Limited addressed to Mr. J.M. Newman, setting out the reasons for their Application for a Commonwealth Grant, and the details of the Company's position are reproduced here.

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.