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Tamar Cement
An Expert's Opinion
PROFITABLE AND ECONOMIC
In view of the recent developments in
connection with the proposal to estab-
lish the cement industry on the Tamar,
the opinion of Mr. E. J. Marsden, s
mainland expert, makes interesting read-
ing. In June, 1914, Mr. Marsden was
sent to Beaconsfteld by a Victorian syn-
dicate which became interested in the
possibilities of manufacturing cement,
to investigate the locality where a Laun-
ceston party now propose to commence
operations.
Mr. Marsden's report states:
T'he limestone deposit consists of hills
on both sides of a gully, one hill of
which has the Winkleigh Caves extend-
ing through it, for over 400 yards, show-
ing immense quantities of splendid lime-
stone, samples of which were taken from
different levels, and the analysis of same
shows from 92 per cent, to 95 per cent,
Ca.CO., carbonate of lime. The lime-
stone is a dark blue colour, and is very
suitable for the manufacture of high-
grade builders' lime, ground agricultu-
ral lime, and Portland cement, also lime-
stone for fluxing purposes. The extent
of this deposit is about 6to acres, and
the hills are from 150 to 200 feet from
bottom of gully, and contain an inex-
haustible supply of limestone of uniform
quality. The quality of the limestone
is equal to the best stone in the Cave
Hill quarries, Lilydale, Victoria. This
limestone has been used extensively in
the manufacture of Portland cement.
Quarries can he easily worked; they are
immediately at the back of a site suit-
able for the erection of lime kilns and
grinding plant for ground agricultural
lime, and alongside a splendid site suit-
able for the erection of a cement plant
capable of producing 3000 casks weekly.
There is no difficulty in opening up a
face of about 100ft. from top of kiln
and extending all round quarry.
The cost of quarrying and delivering
to the top of kiln, broken ready for
burning, should not exceed 2s per ton,
there being very little strapping re-
quired. The stone for ground agricul-
tural lime fluxing and cement works
should not cost more than is per ton
delivered to works or trucks. The dis-
tance from the deposit to the proposed
naval base at Beauty Point is 6k, miles.
There was a tramline from the jetty to
Beaconsfield, the extension of which
alongside the original Wyett's surveyed
track to same, a distance of 3½ miles,
presents no engineering difficulties, and
the construction of which, including tal-
lasting, sleepers, rails, etc., suitable should
not cost more than £1500. The tram-
way alone I consider a splendid pro-
position, and country travelled a thickly
populated district, with orchards and
agriculture on each side of the track,
thus giving the orchardists and farmers
cheap freightage to their natural port.
The Government having taken over the
Tasmania '01GA. Co., at Beauty Point
.jetty, there are extensive sheds with
the tram running alongside and through
them, thus ensuring safe storage for all
your products whilst awaiting ship
ment.
Assuming that the kim is construct
ed for an output of 10 tons of builders'
lime daily, the cost for lime-burning
will be: - 'Twenty tons limestone, I
at 2:, £2; 12 tons firewood, at Os, LB
10s5 lime burner, 10s; 2 lime drawers,
Ifs- £7, thus boating 13a Gd per ton,
und with railage to port and wharf
age charge at is Gd per ton, mailing
prime cost 15t per ton at Beauty Point
(freight to Launceston being :1 per ton).i
Cost for agricultural lime, estimated
output of proposed plant, 20 tons uaily
for one shift only (this plant can run
three shifts)-20 tons limestone, at is,
1i; 315 ditto firewood, at Gs, li is;i
1 engine driver, lOs; 1 mill hand, 's;
2 warehousemen, 1Is; 1 boy, b-; oils,
grease, etc., -s; railauge and wharfage
at is 0d to Beauty Point, £i 10s-LOS,
thus costing ifs per ton at wharf.
There is a spring and a reservoir on
tho summit of the lills over the pro.
perty, also water in firer at foot of
property, so water for all purposes is
available and reliable.
Suitable labour is available in the dis
trin, so there need be no labour trouble
anticipated.
Centuent-With the exception of coal,
the necessary raw materials for the nsa
nufacture of cement are raund on the
property. Clay is found in the imIle
diato neighbourhood of the limestone de
posit in large quantities, and good ,ua
lity, and can be delivered at 10 per ton.
Argillaceous shale, suitable for the ma
nufacture of Portland cement, ip also
adjacent to the property, and all option
isis been secured over the deposit. Coal
--With the splendid deep water facili
ties suitable, coal can be delivered at
Beauty Point jetty at a cost slightly
lower than Mielbouure, and return
freighlage for limestone flux and cement
will make it very profitable for inter
colonial steamers to make it a port of
call.
The cost of a cement plant for a ca
pacity of 600 tons per week will bo,
erected in working orcer, about,
£-l0,000l with suitable huihldiga. 'lbs
rout of a suitable power plant foi- the
works would hbe ppeuximately £010,000,
including lmotors, tile miechines heisig
electrically driveii.
Lltanufacturing Lost of Cement. - Go
iiig very closely ileto lihures for the
raw material, it an entirely up-to-date
plant is erectesi it weili he possible un
der the very excellent local conditions
to piroduce cement delivered at Beauty
l'oiint at Os per cask (six of wvhichi equal
one toll).
I lisle also iiipeceteed the supposcd
WVest Arm dr-posit, slid liiid where it
is tested on the river fruot thet only
a decoimposec limiesione (ao relied) is
available, hut it is only a aedilieolary
deposit of sea and mnud, and the olily
earhunata of lime it cositains is obtain
ed Irons decomposed shells ond other ma
rine aninial isittier. nlsand on so
other adjacent property this material
gets harder, and is not suitable for the
maniuticture of Portland cement, elsa
as ilisie is worthless, and the deposit
is below the water level, even at low
tide. tither deposits inspected are of
small extent, aiid are miot suitable for tho
manistactures proposed.
At i3usuty Point there are insonanse
quantities of clear sharp gravel nod
iand, soitohle for the purposes of iho
munufacture of relisforced concrete or
ticles, concrete piles, and similar pro
ducts. These materials arc adijacesst to
I the fatty, end could he delivered there
at its per cubic yard. There are no lime
weorks of ally imsportanee in thie state,
sod n10 ceilelit weorks, ond as over bait
of the criount used in the Conuilnot
wvesili is ilsulirted the prospects of erect
lug said equipping ass isp-to-dote cement
Iworks, with the splendid deep-water Ia
cilties, make this propositoiot tile best
in the Cominonweallts. The natural, and
economic advantages fer the production
01 the different products, couiplel ;viths
the cacelient cheap method of transport,
make this deposit an ideal propositioms
foy the manufacture of lime, Portlalid
cement, and its dilterant produeta, sod
with a thoroughly efficient power plant
and cepable management, and providivg
.the compassy in net ov-er-capitaliond, it
will make an excellsnt investment, which
II can recommend with every coslidance.
it must he rememberad that Mr. Mars
den's estimates of costs arc nased on
conditions obtainIng prior to the war.
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