ENG-1959 — Page 141

112

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

wolfram to the United Kingdom and United States, and graphite to the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and India. Kaolin is also used locally by manufacturers of rubber goods. Quartz and feldspar are produced solely for local consump- tion, principally by the enamelware, ceramic, and glass-making industries.

At the close of the year there were four mining leases, twenty two mining licences, and two prospecting licences in operation, all on the mainland or the islands of the New Territories. Operations were mainly controlled by individuals or by small Chinese mining companies.

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In 1959, production from the Ma On Shan Iron Mine was almost entirely from underground sources. The ore was treated in the 700-ton-a-day crude ore capacity dressing plant situated near the waterfront and concentrates were transported by barge to ships anchored in Tolo Harbour.

Although the market price for wolfram improved at the end of the year, its generally low level discouraged interest in the mining of this mineral and all production in 1959 came from the Needle Hill Mine.

Prospecting for beryl, graphite, and iron ore continued, but there was no discovery of economic importance during the year. The Colony's production of minerals was as follows:

Production in

Value

Mineral

long tons

in $

Feldspar

Graphite, 80% fixed carbon

1,716.38

60,073

1,924.50

282,901

Graphite, 50% fixed carbon

1,358.48

54,339

Iron Ore.

119,892.93

4,555,931

Kaolin

7,255.95

783,642

Lead Ore Quartz

3,570.95

71,419

Wolframite

39.29

209,769

The Mines Department is under the control of the Commissioner of Mines, who is concurrently Commissioner of Labour. The Department is under the day-to-day direction of a Superintendent of Mines, assisted by two Assistant Inspectors of Mines.

The ownership and control of all minerals is vested in the Crown under the Mining Ordinance, 1954. This ordinance also provides