Auriferous Gravels of Westland

Abstract

Since the discovery of gold in Westland eighty years ago goldmining has ranked as one of the most important industries of the province, and, although now less importance than timber-milling and coal-mining, it nevertheless still contributes substantially to the prosperity of the West Coast. In the northern portion of the province lodemining was formerly pre-eminent, but now only one mine of major importance is still producing. In the southern part there has been only sporadic lode-mining, the main recovery of gold having been from the gravel and black-sand beach deposits. Some years ago economic conditions in New Zealand led to the revival of prospecting, and as a result of this several new alluvial fields have been brought into production, mainly by dredging. Recent developments in the capacity and efficiency of the modern dredge have made it possible to treat now deposits which by reason of their depth were beyond the capacity of the older machines.