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A LARGE and IMPORTANT INDUSTRY

A very large and important industry, and one which is not, I think, widely known or appreciated, has sprung up in the formation of the Australian Alum Company, the works of which are situated almost within the little village of Bullahdelah, and the rugged mountainous hills backing up this quiet and picturesque village are portion of the company's leases, and are composed almost entirely of solid alum rock.

THE MINERAL LEASES

The ground held by this company consists of nine mineral leases, containing an area of 575 acres 3 rods and 17 perches. The first of these leases was taken in November 1888, increased in 1889 by an addition of 40 acres, and again in 1890 by a further addition of 480 acres, and which all amalgamated are now worked conjointly as the company named.

THE PORT

One of the great natural advantages is the position of this land, which is situated about 35 miles from Port Stephens, one of the finest harbours in Australia, and the largest vessels find safe anchorage there, and from Port Stephens to this land is the Myall River, navigable for small craft up to 100 tons burden right up to the mine, of which the summit of the Bullahdelah Mountain is only about 1.25 miles distant.

THE MOUNTAIN'S ROCKS

All these cliffs consist of alunite of varying quality, and the average has a composition, which, with proper treatment of chemicals, will yield 600 tons of alum and 1,500 tons of sulphate of ammonia per 1000 tons of stone.

The mountains are composed of rocks, which penetrate beds of carboniferous ore. These carboniferous rocks dip away cast and west, and lap around the mountain at the northern and southern ends.

The extent of this deposit is truly wonderful and enormous. It can be traced over 100 chains, with a width of from 3 chains at the top of the cliff, to fully 20 chains at the foot. The stone runs in bands, with an approximately north and south course. These bands vary in quality, but almost all is of good enough quality to work with paying results. The stone forming the wide body, fully 6 chains wide, has a composition of: -

SUFFICIENT for HUNDREDS of YEARS

The stone on these leases contain sufficient mineral in sight to supply the world with alum and sulphate of alumina for hundreds of years, and the alum has been proved to be of the very finest and first quality.

THE WORKS

The works erected on these leases for the working of this industry are of the most complete and efficient character, with kilns, tanks, boilers, tramways, mining plant and splendid machinery for the full development of the resources of the mine, and the expenditure to the present time has been, I should estimate, from £18,000 to £20,000.