Economic and financial section > Interim report of the Gold Delegation of the Financial Committee

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with one exception, been general. This reduction is due to a tendency to adopt a “ cleaner
mining ” policy, and has been effected by the use of jack-hammers and concrete supports in
stopes. The following table gives the results in detail:
Far East Rand Mines.—Average Sloping Widths.
Mine.
1924.
Inches.
1926.
Inches.
New Kleinfontein Co., Ltd
Van Ryn Gold Mines Estate, Ltd
Van Ryn Deep, Ltd
New Modderfontein G.M. Co., Ltd.1
Modderfontein Deep, Ltd
Government Gold Mining Areas (Modderfontein) Consolidated,
Ltd.
Brakpan Mines, Ltd
Modderfontein B. Gold Mines, Ltd
Modderfontein East, Ltd.1
Geduld Proprietary Mines, Ltd
New State Areas, Ltd
Springs Mines, Ltd
West Springs, Ltd ,
Sub-Nigel, Ltd
63-5
50
78
69
76-9
78
67
57
53
61
61
57
57
39-5
61
44
64
52-4
73-3
70
63
49
53
59
52
56
60
26*4
33. As has been indicated in paragraph 22 above, it may justly be presumed that, in a
considerable portion of the unleased ground on the Far East Rand, a narrow reef would have
to be worked. Furthermore, the hanging wall leaders which have recently been opened up on
some Far East Rand mines are essentially narrow reefs. The successful carrying on of stoping
operations on a width of less than two feet is therefore another hopeful indication that the gold
output of the Witwatersrand will not suffer the reductions which the figures based on the official
lives of existing mines only would lead one to regard as threatening in the near future.
34. Attention may also be drawn to another aspect of this question— i.e., to the fact that,
by obtaining definite figures regarding the cost per ton milled and the cost per ounce produced
from these narrow stopes, the mining engineer, in forming an opinion regarding the profitability
or otherwise of adjoining areas, can base his estimates on more solid foundations than hitherto.
It should be remembered in this connection that the plant capacity per ounce of gold produced
when milling practically “ clean ” reef will be considerably reduced, and a corresponding saving
in capital expenditure and power consumption will be effected.
35. In this chapter, some of the more important factors tending to prevent serious reductions
in the gold output of the Witwatersrand have been set out. It should, however, be borne in
mind that conditions may arise which would operate towards a shrinkage of production. Such
conditions are dealt with in the next chapter.
Chapter IV.—Factors which Operate towards a Shrinkage of Production.
36. However much one may be impressed with favourable conditions obtaining at the
. present time, this report would be open to the accusation of one sidedeness if an earnest endeavour
1 For the years ended June 30th, 1924, and June 30th, 1926.