Purser. — On Iron from Titaniferous Sand. 691 



briquette is estimated at 3s. 3d. per ton, including separation 

 of the sand ; and 1 ton of good fuel will smelt 8 tons of 

 them . 



These briquettes smelt as readily in a cupola furnace as 

 ordinary pig-iron does, and with the same amount of fuel as 

 previously stated ; while the proportion of slag is only slightly 

 in excess of that found in remelting pig-iron, or at the outside 

 25 per cent. This very low percentage is not to be wondered 

 at when it is remembered that all extraneous matter has been 

 eliminated from the sand by separation, and the glutinous 

 substance used in making the briquette has all the cleansing 

 properties of a flux. The author considers that, while separa- 

 tion is necessary in order to produce malleable iron, this 

 briquette is really the key to the position for producing the 

 highest class of metal at (as will be shown latter on) the 

 lowest cost of any iron-producing country known. 



This is saying a good deal ; but it must be remembered how 

 wonderfully Nature has endowed New Zealand with the richest 

 of raw materials for the manufacture of iron, costing next to 

 nothing to mine ; and in this condensed form it is so easy to 

 handle that New Zealand should not only supply her own 

 wants, but at an early date (having in view the very superior 

 quality) should soon become a large exporter, even to Europe 

 itself. 



Cost of Production. — It is quite anticipated, it will be 

 granted, that the reduction of this ore is an easy matter, and 

 that the product is superior to any iron on the market — in 

 fact, from the low percentage of carbon and the high percent- 

 age of iron it is apparent that we have the raw material 

 of steel lying at our feet ; but the all-important question is. 

 What will it cost to produce '? The author has gone very care- 

 fully into this matter, and cannot make the cost per ton come 

 to more than £1 10s., as follows : — 



Elevating the sand 

 Separating 

 Making briquettes 

 Labour ... ... 



Fuel 



Flux 



Loss of weight 



Interest on capital 



£1 10 



This is probably lower than ordinary pig can be produced 

 for in Europe, and, surprising as it may appear, it is still a 

 fact, considering the advantages we have in the raw material 



