30 HAYDEN AND HATCH : GOLD-FIELDS OF WAINAD. 



The average assay value of the whole number of samples (93) is 2 

 dwts. of gold per ton for an average width of 5*4 feet. Although 

 the majority of the samples show that the ore is of low grade, there 

 are of course occasional places of higher value. Thus in No. 4 level 

 samples were obtained assaying 7, 8| and 15 dwts. to the ton ; while 

 in No. 6 level 6 samples (out of 78) gave results above 4 dwts. to the 

 ton, namely, 4-6, 6*4, 6-4, 7'8, i2*oand 17 dwts. to the ton. 



These exceptions to the general run of low grade results are due 

 to the places of sampling happening to coincide with the presence of 

 small bunches or spots of pyrites. In order to test the value of these 

 pyritic patches, I took a large sample of the pyrites at several 

 different places in the level, scooping it out from the geodes with as 

 little quartz as possible. After mixing and quartering down this 

 sample (C 10) it was sent to Calcutta and assayed, giving 3 ounces 

 of gold to the ton. After concentration by panning, its value was 

 increased to 6 ounces to the ton. This result is not encouraging, 

 considering the small quantity of the material available and the 

 difficulty of separating it from the barren quartz. 



Conclusions. — There can be no doubt after the careful and system- 

 atic sampling of the two mines, as to the unpayability of the 

 ore-bodies that have been opened up by the Alpha and Phcenix work- 

 ings ; and the present developments are in my opinion sufficient to 

 justify a condemnation of the veins on which these mines have been 

 opened. If the presence of chutes of pay-ore could have been 

 established, even though of small extent, there might have been 

 some encouragement for the undertaking of further prospecting 

 operations ; but with the results rehearsed on the preceding pages 

 such a course cannot be recommended. 



( 30 ) 



