work
is required and greater depth attained before this can be determined-In
the mines to the north centre-country appears to lie nearly
vertically-over that below at the various levels.
[Report sent in 20th December, 1906.]
DRUMMOND NORTH MINES. The O'Connor's United Mine.
Two
reefs have been worked in this mine, O'Connor's reef and a reef further
to the west, called the Stockyard reef. They both dip east, crossing
the country-rocks, which dip west. O'Connor's reef has proved very
productive down to about 400 feet, but appears to have passed into a
poor zone. The pitch of the country rocks—mostly grey sandstone, with
very little slate—is northerly, and the shoot of gold is also
northerly. The Stockyard reef has not been worked. Centre-country in
this mine appears to be to the eastward of the present workings, and no
cross-cut has been extended in that direction, which is especially
deserving of exploration. wintry-rocks in this mine appear similar to
some of the beds near the Elphinstone tunnel, and if they are identical
these rocks belong to a zone lower than the Bendigo series. Southward
from the O'Connor's United Mine there is a group of old mines, which
have been extensively worked, but which are now abandoned except by a
few fossickers. The principal of these is the Queen's Birthday Mine,
which appears to be in a, belt of r<x;ks to the west of the
O'Connor's belt. The country-rocks here are entirely different from
those at the O'Connor's United Mine. They consist of reddish-)e!low and
grey soft slates and sandstones, easy to mine, and far more favorable
in appearance for gold. This zone of country does not ar to have been
prospected in the O'Connor's United Mine, and it should receive
attention. No plans of any of these mines are available.
Operations
at the O'Connor's United Mine are not being conducted under favorable
conditibns. The old shaft was sunk near the homestead, and from it
shoots of gold were worked profitably. The shoots pitched northward and
later on the new shaft was sunk 506 feet to the north of the old one.
This shaft is 875 feet deep, but water has risen to the 579 feet level.
The pumping and hauling plants were not removed from the old shaft, so
that there is great loss, much inconvenience, and constant breakdowns
in carrying the power between the two shafts. To still further handicap
all operations, the workings are at present at a site 247 feet to the
south of the old and abandoned shaft. More disadvantageous conditions
for mining could scarcely exist. Probably if work in the way of
cross-cutting for centre-country and in exploring the western belt of
countrv were carried out, this mine might again prove to be a
profitable undertaking. In the Egyptian lease, between the Queen's
Birthday and O'Connor's United mines, there is a large dyke. Mr. Lidgey
reported on this mine (O'Connor's Freehold) some years ago. and showed
transverse sections. Mr. Baragwanath is obtaining all additional
information available.
[Refort sent in 6th July, 1905.']
The Panama (late Belltopper) Mine.
This mine is about 1/2 mile
to the north of the O'Connor's United mine. It is on the southern side
of a range. Originally the shoot of gold was discovered in a reef on
the hillside. An adit was then driven, which missed the gold by about 4
feet, as was subsequently proved when the shoot had been worked down
and a survey made. The' Belltopper reef dips easterly at an angle of 64
degrees, while the country rocks dip westerly. It is
