Minerals

Title

Minerals

Creator

Mitke, Chas. A.

Language

English

Source

The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XXIV (Issue No.7) July 1948

Year

1948

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

July, 1948 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 255 Minerals By Chas. A. Mitke Consulting Mining Engineer DURING recent years, many hundreds of mineral outcrops, or prospects, have been uncovered in various parts of the Philippines, and of these, a great number are pretty well known. In certain locali ties, these outcrops are chrome, in others manganese, copper, iron, lead, gold and silver. More or less work, consisting of trenching, tunneling, sinking shallow shafts, etc., has been done on a few of the more promising. New outcrops are being added to the list every month by prospectors, who are continuing their search for mine rals and making finds right along. Prospectors bring in samples almost every day. <. These newer prospects are developed, usually, by individuals, or by small exploration associations. When the work becomes too much of a burden for one man to expose veins and do shallow surface work, anywhere from two to a dozen people form what is known as an “explora tion association”. By pooling their resources, they usually accomplish quite a lot more than one or two individuals can do. A great many of these associations exist all over the Philippines. Even though combined efforts are being made in many places, there is a limit to what such associations can do, and in practically no case is the capital of the asso ciation sufficient to permit work to reach down to primary sulphides and test out the deeper zones. The Philippines is a semi-tropical country, subject to heavy rains during the wet season. The effect of these downpours over a period of many thousands of years has resulted in weathering and erosion of the rocks, thus per mitting the dissolving and carrying down of most minerals to varying depths. The remaining surface ores are, there fore, generally. very low grade. Some rocks, like quartz and the harder diorites, are more resistant, and the ores which they contain are not so subject to weathering and being carried downward in solution. In general, the effects of this oxidation and leaching of surface ores is found to be from 50 to 300 feet in depth. In practically every instance, it is necessary to get below the zone of weathering and oxidation to find the unaltered primary ore. This requires drilling, or shaft and tunnel work, which involves greater expenditures than most individuals or associations can afford. The work of the associations should be followed by a system of deep-hole drilling, which has been so success ful in the United States and Canada, where it is estimated that approximately 950,000,000 tons have been blocked out and added to the nations’ ore reserves in the past ten years. While millions of dollars have been spent in ex ploration to prove up these reserves, the companies, the investors, and the countries in which the reserves are located, will benefit from the future production of these great new mines of the future. The three stages in development should be as follows: 1. The prospector finds an outcrop which, after examination by a competent engineer, justifies some sur face exploration. 2. An association is formed to sink shallow shafts, drive short tunnels, and cut surface trenches. If this work proves promising, then— 3. An exploration company should be formed with capital ranging from PlOO.OOO to P400.000 to finance the purchase of long-hole drilling equipment for the deeper testing of the promising outcrops mentioned. Mobiloil plays a big role in avoiding engine breakdowns... Keep engine oil clean—Mobiloil cleans as it lubricates, it keeps engine parts free of deposits that can cause fuel waste, costly repairs. Trouble-saving tip: keep crank case filled to safe level with Mobiloil. The World’s Largest-Selling Motor Oil/ At the Sign of Friendly Service STANDARD-VACUUM OIL COMPANY PHILIPPINES AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 256 The moment the ore is drilled and blocked out by the exploration company, the basis exists for a big mine on which the raising of necessary capital for mine plant, mill, smelter, townsite, etc. is fully justified. If such a program is carried out, we have every reason to believe that new mines will be found in the future just as they have in the past. Statement of John W. Haussermann to the Associated Press I returned from the Philippines on May 11 and am glad to report that notwithstanding the terrible hardships suffered during the Japanese occupation and the destruction of the principal cities, the spirit of the people was not destroyed. The work of reconstruction of the cities and public roads is going on as rapidly as the limited means at their disposal permits. The restoration of the Philippine economy is also progressing, but there is great need for much more capital than is available in the Islands. This additional capital must come from the United States. The people of the Islands will welcome legitimate investment, as was proved by the overwhelming vote cast in favor of adoption of the amendment to the Constitution which places the American businessman on the same status as the Filipino so far as the development of the natural resources of the Islands is concerned. In my opinion, American capital will be treated fairly and justly. At present there is a tendency to enact laws which will cause Americans to hesitate to join in the campaign of rehabilitation of the economy of the Islands, but this tendency is more or less political and when the political leaders become convinced that such laws are, in fact, de July, 1948 trimental to the welfare of the people of the Islands, that tendency will gradually disappear. The rank and file of the people of the Islands are in favor of development and know that it takes much money to build up industries that will provide jobs, at fair and just wages. My confidence and faith in the Government and peo ple of the Islands is evidenced by the fact that the com panies of which I am President have invested P15,000,000 in rehabilitating and reconstructing the properties destroy ed by the Japanese. We now have more than 5000 Fili pinos employed and hope to expand until we can employ 10,000 Filipinos. That will mean a community of about 45,000 to 50,000 men, women, and children directly de pendent on the successful and profitable operation of the Benguet Consolidated Mining Company and its subsi diaries. I am confident there is no desire on the part of the Government or the . people to place any obstacle in our path. Lumber By E. C. Von Kauffmann President, Philippine Lumber Producers' Association WITH the increase in allowance on exports having been approved by President Quirino, lumbermen are thankful. Gradually they are being helped with their problems. The present Export Permit of 50% of production will enable them to ship out other lumber grades much in demand, as in pre-war days. This will include short lengths in high grade lumber which are not I I MINING MEN KNOW GOOD EQUIPMENT THEY DEPEND ON THE WORLD OVER! I I I no matter what phase your operations are in— EXPLORATION OR DEVELOPMENT & OPERATION there is CP equipment made for your job — DIAMOND DRILLS ________________ SERVICE & PARTS ALWAYS AVAILABLE ROCK DRILLS THE EARNSHAWS DOCKS & HONOLULU CORNER TACOMA & 2nd STS. PORT AREA, MANILA TELEPHONE 2-68-48 IRON WORKS BRANCH AT: BACOLOD NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

pages

255-256

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