Payable tin-bearing alluvial exists on other portions of the Bisichi Valley area, but as it has not yet been measured or tested, no exact estimate can be made of quantities and values. The ground already tested represents about one-tenth of the total area; but the very high values and quantities so far disclosed cannot be taken to apply to the whole area, as it is natural that the course of the main stream should carry better values and deeper ground than the remainder of the land where the alluvial would be more patchy and shallower. It will be seen, however, that the estimated working costs per ton have been placed by Mr. Laws at a figure which will permit of lower grade ground being worked than that already referred to.
Mr. Laws advises the immediate erection of an hydraulicing plant capable of dealing efficiently with wash dirt sufficient to produce 800 tons of black tin annually, an ample head of water being available for this purpose throughout the year.
He also states that it would be quite possible to commence work on the property immediately by ground sluicing; but he is strongly of opinion that this policy would be unwise, as the disturbance of the ground might tend to interfere with the economical working on a large scale such as is proposed.
Provided no unforeseen difficulties arise, Mr. Laws is of opinion that the whole of the plant would be in operation within nine months.
If Mr. Laws’ advice is taken, he estimates that working cost would amount to about £10 per ton on ore of the value already found, but, as stated above, to allow for working a larger quantity of lower grade ground, working costs should be placed at £15 per ton of ore. The price of the ore in the market at Liverpool may be taken at £90 per ton, which, after deducting £15 for working costs, and £30 per ton for transport and contingencies, would leave a margin of profit of £45 per ton of ore. Although it is proposed in the earlier stages of development to equip the mine with plant capable of producing 800 tons annually, any increase on this rate of working will depend on surveys determining the head of water available.
WEST AFRICAN MINES, Ltd.
Capital.—£100,200 in £1 shares, of which 100,000 are ordinary shares and 200 founders’ shares; all are issued and fully paid.
Directors.—Rt. Hon. Lord Harris (Chairman), Edmund Davis, Friedrich Eckstein, H. Strakosah, R. G. Fricker (Managing Director).
Secretaries.—The Consolidated Goldfields of South Africa, Limited.
Offices.—8 Old Jewry, E.C.