The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-08
Cuba Correspondence.
CoBRK, Aug. "a, 1919.

CoBRK, Aug ~, 1919.
The Copper MINIS in Cuba.
Knowing the great desire that you have to obtain
information from all parts Of the world, whether
commercial or otherwise, for the sole purpose of
gratifying the readers Of the Herald, have con-
cluded TO address you on the subject of mines aud
mining, as conducted this part of the world,
which may, perhaps. prove interesting to many in
the United States, and more particularly to those
Engaged in that line Of business. The object that
have in view, In simply 10 present facts and show
the difference, in this letter some other, be-
tween the American and English mining compa-
mes.
But 10 commence; arrived IN the city Of Santi-
ago de Cuba the 18th day Of April, A ID 1919,
after very pleasant passage of thirteen days from
New York; and after spending few days In the
aforesaid city, took passage in small steamer,
known here the Bota Furgo, and proceeded to
PIT du Sale, a distance OF four miles This is the
great depot for all copper ore, prior TO shipping the
same 10 Swansea or Other ports, and is also the
terminus OF a railroad from the village of Cobre,
nine miles in length, on which the trans
ported, ut the very moderate sum of S. per ton.
$500 600, which IS now paying 80 per cent, shares
Of which are from $3.50 10 $50 each; number of
shares, 5000 | WAS placed in car capable Of
holding twelve persons, close stowaqe, to which
Car was dttdCneO eight mules, anu on edcn alter-
nate mule was Of our color-d brethren, a la
Tnppsr," with very small pair OF spurs, and
very long whip; and from his frequent applications
OF the latter appeDdagss 10 the aforesaid mules,
any one would naturally have supposed that the
African was IN his element. Now, il this was "sport
to him it was nearly death 10 me;" for, what with the
cracking of whip-, and the clouds of dust, (occa-
siODed by mule pOweD that are continually depo-
posting themselves In your eyes, combined with
the tobacco smoke ut the passengers. my situation
far from envlable, and will enable you to form
some faint idea OF the pleasure IA foreigner expe-
nences when travelling ON a Cuba Railroad, aud
more PARTICULAR. 80, il he is in any way asthmatlc.
After one and half hours OF mental suffering, we
arrived in The ancient village Of Cobre, IN and adj
joining which the mines of copper, the gr-ater
part OF which IRE owned by English companies,
thrn English Consul, who established the great
company. known the " CONSOLIDATED Cobre
Mining Company" and here, by the lower classes,
as ''Mina Grsnde" But without wishing to enter
TOO mlnotely INTO detail, will present the follow
ing statistics Of the mine for the last five years,
VIII
The company have expended, within the
Last five years. the sum OF. .......... $500 900
Have shipped to Swansea Of copper ore,
Jos COO tons which, 1t $40 per ton. 70 low
estimst-) gives. .................. 100000
PROFIT. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l,40o 900
The above expepditurcis equal per day to.... 1884
Amount OF income st rate above, per day. ALSO
Profits per day. s7as
This establ. shment has two agents, Mr.. James
Reynolds and Don Pedro Ferrery Lander, to
whose Iudicious management the company are
highly indebted for the vast returns above given.
The next English company, "Royal Santiago"
has been heretofore the most profitable mining
company IN The world, hav ,ng gwen a dividend,
mi-annualy, Of e6 per share; number of shares,
1000, with reserve fund Of cl0,000. Al present,
however, they are Shipping but little ore, from the
fact Of their best lode underlying into the "appur-
teneDclas" Of The & &. mine. This establishment
If under the the direction OF Capt. William Hos
kline, good practical miner.
The "San Josa" Spanish mine has been one of
the richest minrs in point Of ore; but, from the
many discrepancies that have existed between the
;n, ,hs m III S, h1y ses~
they are getting TN little better, the works are
under the direction Of Don Juan Castro.
The next mine, and Que that buds far to excel
all others, is owned by an AMERICAN company in
your cry, "The American Exploring, Mining and
Manufacturing Company" who are now working
the "Lucretia y Ceciiana." THIS mine was
commenced ELK months ago. by the company under
the direction Of Mr.. Edward IL. Wilder, To whom
! am indebted for the information herein given.
Mr.. w. informs me that he has sent the company
$50 tons OF IN that period, some Of which
yielded IN Baltimore "a per cent. and sold for $l06
per ton. ] could hardly believe II possible that
mine could be opened, with limited number of
hsDds, and such a quantity Of ore sent oil in SO
short space OF time as IL generally requires
from ELK To twelve months To open a mIne, and
that, TOO, without raising any ore for the g G..
mre was at work over one year, and expended
eco 000 WITHOUT shipping 100 tons of ore; and that,
too, with five OF six hundred hands employed;
whereas the l.. and c. have had but forty employed,
and sometimes lees. THIS not only sprnks well Of
the present management, but clearly demonstrates
that the mine has an abundance OF rich ore, and
only requires little time 10 render IL source Of
immense profit to all engaged therein. Having
been under ground and seen the works, was
astoDisbed nj tine amount Of work done. The
Adj level having been driven in $50 feet-one
shaft Al depth OF l6i feet another at 50 three
different minzes co feet deep each; and large Slopes
from which copper has been taken. from 10 to 90
feet. Al the depth Of lGo feet the lode OF copper
is eight feet wide, and apparently casIng in
width az It descs Dds. At 50 feet, la the second
shaft, they have lode of rich gray copper two feet
WIDE, that yields, on assay, - per cent. would
close my remarks by saying, that, in addition to
the 100 IONS already shipped, Mr.. w has 10 more
dressed. ready for the fret vessel aud $50 more,
out Of the nnne, ready for dressing. have dwelt
thus FAR, 10 some extent, this mine. simply from
the fact that my couDtrymen own II and, more
over, that have been all through the nine, and
consider it, without exception, one of the finest,
thus far developed, that ] have ever seen.
! will again address you, on the crops, markets,
and affairs in general. MINER.