52
PRIMARY PRODUCTION
markets. Revenue is obtained from a six per cent commission on sales of fish. As a non-profit-making body, surplus earnings are ploughed back into the primary sector of the fishing industry through low-interest loans for productive purposes. In 1972, landings marketed through wholesale fish markets totalled 76,748 metric tons valued at $157 million.
Following the completion of a survey carried out by the Department of Agricul- ture and Fisheries on the wholesale marketing of imported vegetables, fruit and poultry, projects to build new wholesale markets in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island for the marketing of these commodities have been included in the Public Works Pro- gramme. Similar surveys as part of the forward planning of improved facilities for the wholesale marketing of freshwater fish_and crustacea, and locally-produced vege- tables continued during the year.
Mining
Iron ore and, at times, graphite are mined underground and kaolin, feldspar and quartz by opencast methods. Iron ore concentrate (magnetite) is exported to Japan, graphite principally to the United States and kaolin to Japan and Taiwan. Most of the feldspar and about 30 per cent of the kaolin are consumed by local light industries.
Under the Mining Ordinance, the ownership and control of minerals is vested in the Crown. The Land Officer is empowered to grant mining leases and the Commis- sioner of Mines to grant mining and prospecting licences. Details of leases and licences in operation are published twice a year in the Government Gazette. At the end of the year, there were three mining leases, 13 mining licences, and three prospecting licences valid for different areas in the territory.
Staff of the Mines Department deal with applications for prospecting and mining licences, the issue of mine blasting certificates, inspection of mining and prospecting areas for the enforcement of mining legislation, inspection of stone quarries for the enforcement of safety regulations, inspections for the enforcement of explosives legislation and the delivery of explosives from government depots to blasting sites. The Commissioner of Mines is responsible for the control and management of govern- ment explosives depots which provide bulk storage facilities for all explosives imported into Hong Kong.