'Abandoned mine may still yield gold'
Copyright 2000 The National (PNG)
December 19, 2000
By SAMPSON BONAI
A GOLD mine abandoned 25 years ago in the Ialibu-Pangia area of Southern Highlands is still good for small-scale mining, according to a new feasibility study.
Mining Department geologists Gideon Tongo and Howard Lole who conducted the study, have identified the river system of Kuni and Wangai as the resource area.
A report compiled by the geologists said a number of samples taken from the river systems at Kuni and Wangai villages were taken to ANALABS in Lae for testing.
Tests carried out showed that Kuni river has the highest gold deposit valued at 76 to 70 per cent, Palimari Creek 38 per cent, part of Kuni and Palimari Creeks 3.17 per cent and Pararowa creek in Wangai village 2.3 per cent.
These areas are situated about 8 kilometres southwest of Ialibu.The sampling and the results were carried out using the high banker which is operated by five horsepower motor and three-inch water pump.
Gold recovered from the sampling was reported to be fine gold.
Sample number DH-001 yielded the largest gold grain that measured 0.5-1.00 mm.
From the visual inspection and determination, the purity of the gold samples was estimated to be about 80 per cent.
Further investigation would need to be carried out to determine the source of the mineralisation for possible small to medium scale hard rock mining operation, the report said.
Another report issued by Dr John Witne from the Mining Engineering Department at University of Technology in Lae this year also confirmed that the analyses of geological samples of both hard rock and river sediments samples from the Ierana and Wangai area showed signs of base metal sulphide mineralisation and trace amounts of free or alluvial gold.
Another technical assessment done by Dr Cedric Mortimer and G Kopi from Department of Mining (Geological Survey) in February this year also recommended that systematic geological mapping and stream sediment geochemistry if undertaken will result in determining the full potential of the area.
Initial observations are however not encouraging and the expense of a formal investigation for ore-bodies is probably not merited.
It would be a relatively easy task to undertake a systematic panning exercise for alluvial gold in Kuni and possibly in other streams, and this should be done to determine or estimate the alluvial gold potential.
If alluvial gold is revealed, a search for source ore bodies may be considered.
Principal landowner spokesman Daniel Nandoma expressed his appreciation over the discovery of gold in the area.
"I want to thank Small Scale Mining Branch geologists in Wau, Dr Cedric Mortimer and G Kopi from Geological Survey office in Port Moresby and Dr John Witne from Mining Engineering Department at Unitech in Lae for their professional advice," said Mr Nandoma.