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  • 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.

  • 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 following notes are designed to summarise the work done during my recent visit to North America and United Kingdom. The purpose of the trip to the U.S.A. was to act as an alternate representative at the International Materials Conference, Washington. The International Materials Conference was convened in February 1951, its primary function being to ensure the equitable distribution of certain scarce commodities, and to consider what steps should be taken to expand production, increase availabilities, and conserve supplies.

  • 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.

  • Shortly after I took up the appointment of Mineral Economist, the high quality of the mica from the Harts Range came to my notice. Accordingly, I paid a visit to Harts Range between the 22nd September and 4th October. In judging the possibilities of developing the mica deposits of the Harts Range, the difficulty is the almost complete lack of reliable detailed mining data in the past - production data for the later war years only are available. However, by comparing the degree of areal concentration of the pegmatites, the type of deposits and the quality and sizes of the mica so far produced with those in India, a reasonable picture can be obtained of comparative possibilities. The method of approach throughout this report, therefore, will be comparison of the Harts Range with India mica. This report gives an account of the present state of the Australian mica industry, including descriptions of current trade terms, the grading and classification of mica, and the Harts Range Mica Belt deposits. Suggestions and recommendations for the development of the industry are discussed.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.