Spy JOHN C. H. MINGAYE. ’ 
No platinum or its associated metals were detected by a careful 
examination of the residue, after some of the concentrates had 
been treated with acids and further concentrated. It is impossible 
at present to state for certain in what form the platinum exists 
in the lode material, as the amount hitherto found has been very 
small, and the metals associated with it are so complicated, but 
from the presence of iridium and traces of rhodium detected, it is 
probable that the platinum exists in the metallic state, in very 
fine division, combined with iridium. 
Messrs Johnston, Matthey & Co., of London, to whom samples 
of these minerals were submitted by Dr. Belgrave of Broken Hill, 
for assay and report, I am informed, found platinum present in 
every case, varying from a few dwts. to two and a half ounces per 
ton, and state that its metallic associations appear to be such, 
and the form in which it is found so unprecedented, that the cost 
of its isolation and treatment would apparently be at present too 
great to yield a profit. 
On referring to the qualitative analyses made of the concentrates 
it will be seen that their composition is complicated, therefore it 
will be a very difficult matter to extract the platinum from these 
minerals, and certainly will not pay unless the ore before concen- 
tration contains a much larger quantity of metal than either of 
the bulk samples concentrated at the Clyde Works at Granville. 
Assays of Broken Hill Platinum Minerals. 
Description of Mineral. Platinum. per 
ozs. dwts. grs. ton. 
1. Clear blebs of quartz in felspathic base with 
garnets te: 5d be a wo OSS os 
2. Ferruginous felspathic. material, containing — 
carbonates of copper a va  »O se 
3. Ditto, ditto, Gitto, awe ae ... a few grs. ,, 
4, Ditto, ditto, ditto ee: cae » 0 ae 
5. Ditto, ditto, ditto: wees ae ... 0b aaa 
6. Hematite ore with a small quantity of copper 
carbonates and a trace of nickel ... a 9 2a 
