about
such layers, and their lines of main cracks in which lodes are stored,
and about the association of dyke material with these lode lines.
Cross-cutting would permit of plans being prepared, showing the
corrugations of the strata, the relationship of each outcrop of
gold-slate country to other outcrops, the nature of the lode structure
in the different fields, and the nature of the gold deposit to be
expected, and, altogether, they would be of great usefulness to the
prospector and to companies.
In
conclusion, I may say that, with well-applied effort, Egerton should
have a successful future. There is very little mining in its deep works
at present. As already mentioned, there is plenty of opportunity for
legitimate prospecting to the south from the 1,700-ft. level at the
Egerton shaft. A lot of gold remains here to be mined without further
sinking, and besides, other members of the series of wings to which the
Rose wing belonged are to be met with beneath the latter. I must also
call attention to the presence of many thousands of tons of
gold-bearing quartz remaining in the shallow levels in the 1,200 feet
of quartz between the old Egerton Company's main shaft and the Black
Horse shaft. An extensive tract, through which the main line of gold
drainage runs, remains unexploited within the company's area to the
north of the Black Horse shaft. The 1,860-ft. level should be extended
north. The work described can be done without augmenting the pumping
appliances. There is reason to think that gold-bearing lodes are to be
met with out east and west, but the water to be met with would prove
too much for present appliances. Sinking ought to be at least 500 feet
deeper, but here, again, I hear that the water difficulty is the
restrainer. Now, regarding this water, as far as I could learn, fully
two-thirds of the present flow comes from shallow levels. One great
stream comes north and down from the Sister Bose works at 920 feet
down, where a big lode was cut but never sampled, and it then runs away
to deep levels in the late Egerton shaft to be lifted at least twice
the distance through the main pump column. I was informed that most of
the water in the Black Horse comes into the shaft at high levels also.
The pumps in both shafts have about enough to do at present, but the
pump in the late Egerton shaft, with its powerful engine, could be
fitted to lift twice as much water as both pumps are taking now. Before
mining can be conducted as it should be in Egerton, a new crushing
mill, on up-to-date principles, will have to be erected. Both mills now
on the field—the 42 7-cwt. heads at the late Egerton battery, and the
52 9-cwt. heads at the Black Horse—are antiquated and nearly worn out.
What the company requires is a new mill of at least 50 heavy heads
after the South Glenfine pattern, with rock breakers and all modern
appliances for bulk treatment of ore. This mill could be placed in the
gully between both shafts, and trams from the brace of each could
easily connect with it. The air compressors and the winding plants on
both mines are first class.
I
have to thank Mr. Wm. Joseph, late manager of the " Blacks," for
assistance rendered during this inspection ; Mr. W. B. Edwards, late
manager of the Egerton mine, for the trouble he took in describing old
works not accessible ; Mr. Cooper, the present manager, for his kind
attention during the inspection of his mine ; also Messrs. Job Thomas,
W. J. Edmonds, and Williams, for assistance rendered. The company is in
the hands of Mr. Wm. Jackson, of Queen-street, Melbourne. For
assistance rendered in other parts of the field, I have to thank
Messrs. Davidson Bros., Hickey, Sterritt Bros., and Dalley ; and,
lastly, Mr. Holden, M.L.A., for considerably facilitating inspection in
all parts of the field, especially to the north of Gordon.
