Report on the Geology & Gold Fields of Otago
Iron Ores
page 147
Iron Ores.
Iron Sand.
Three samples of black iron sand from Stewart Island, Taranaki, and Tokomairiro. The iron ranges from 49 to 54 per cent.
Port Molyneux.
This specimen is hydrated sesquoxide of iron from Port Moly neux. It yielded:—
This is equal to 46 per cent. of metallic iron. If there is a large quantity of this ore near a good coal field, it should take a good place among the industries of the future. The small quantity of silica present (about 10 per cent.) will not require much lime for its removal.
Water | 14 per cent. |
Oxide of Iron | 65.5 per cent. |
Earthy matter (clay silica) | 20.5 per cent. |
Maeruwhenua.
This sample was forwarded by Capt. Hutton. It is hydrated sesquioxide of iron of fair quality. It yielded:—
The silica (about 20 per cent.) would require lime for its removal. Equal to 38.5 per cent. per metal.
Water | 7 per cent. |
Sesquioxide | 55 per cent. |
Earthy matter (chiefly silica) 38 per cent. |
Cromwell.
This sample consists of anhydrous sesquioxide of iron, specular iron ore, mixed with 30 per cent. of quartz and earthy matter. It yielded:—
This is equal to 49 per cent. of metallic iron. It is, therefore, if in quantity, a valuable ore.
Sesquioxide | 70 per cent. |
Silica | 22 per cent. |
Earthy matter | 8 per cent. |
Tokomairiro.
This specimen was forwarded by Capt. Hutton from Tokomairiro. It is an excellent ore. On aualysis it shows of—
This is equal to 55.75 per cent. of metallic iron, and in such a state of combination and purity as to be very easily reduced. It will, if found in large quantity be a very valuable ore of iron, and should not be neglected.
Susquioxide of iron | 79.5 per cent. |
Water | 14 0 per cent. |
Earthy matter | 6.5 per cent. |