Document qmKDdyj4oBBj11e66qgdRDYrk

COFf FROM UXKSS PUB HO. 1238/53* -3TAT8 IrTTBITO CTOIESEB. Aatlwitlea In tho Horth-raat The following report eerero a tour of laepootlon of mining la port of the Murohleen, Aahburtoa, foot Pllbare, Pllbare, eal oast Kiaberley Ooldflelde darlat? tho pa*lod aiith Auguat to 22ad Septeaber, 1953* Seporoto reporto boro bows prepared era alalag la tb* Kiahcrlay Ooldfleld. 8.12.53 K. Lloyd asst, stats tnniw JWUmgK. Australian B-tue ivabcotoo. r.lttcaooa Crocldollta. y. jj, Production hot boon increased to 35:- tons of fibre par month. Ucwelopaent of tho workln^a fro* tae now portal rapidly proceeding. Hew Qiao nendlnoa do aot fallow the fibre but aro drlwen oare or lose horltantally late tho hillside. Contact la ai.de with the fibre by means at rises, which ore newer greater than 31 foot la height. jS Co eeoplctlan of new offices the aid Sa-ldlng will bo eoarertod to a chengerooea for the underground employees. Mill operation, at the time ef ear wlalt, woo wot duety beittt; brought about by the lnatallntlon of new plant and the renewal of duot ourtolaa. The *111 staff adwiaee that t::e duet wixi only be e teqportry auioenee aad anoold be well oader control within a woo* or two. Output of tho olno ehould reeoh US--* tana of flbr per noath on the eoevlotio* or neo true* tolxltl.s for the new portal, a aarrwoo sin, and the opening up of workings la caloalt Oorge. C 1 799 0OFT FROM MUTES FILE HO. 1238/53 ^ STATS MIMING 5HQIKSER. Mining Activities in the Horth-Weat The following report covers a tour of inspection of mining in part of the Murchison, Ashburton, West Pilbara, Pilbara, ana West Kimberley Ooldfields during the period 24th August to 22nd September, 1953* Separate reports have been prepared oh mining in the Kimberley Goldfield* 8*12.53 K* Lloyd ASST* STATE HIKING ENGINEER. Australian Bi.ue Asbestos, ffittenoom -- Crocldolite. Production has been increased to 35- tons of fibre per month* Development of the workings from the new portal rapidly proceeding Hew mine headings do not follow the fibre but are driven more or less horizontally into the hillside. Contact is made with the fibre by means of rises, which are never greater than 3~ feet in height. On completion of new offices the old building will be converted to a changeroom for the underground employees. Hill operation, at the time of our visit, was very dusty being brought about by the installation of new plant and the removal of dust curtains* The mill staff advises that the dust will only be a temporary nuisance and should be v/ell under control within a week or two. Output of the mine should reach 45^ tons of fibre per month on the completion of new track facilities for the new portal, a surface bin, and the opening up of workings in Colonial Gorge.