The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-22
|v.r. Gold and Diamonds Also Yielded
by the Rich Earth-value
Of Products.

AAVASVA0~A6 AAAN~sseSS~eo
Ehen bends to the southeast, finally az
ing at the starting point in the Bam-
esbergen. The greatest length and
badth of the coal field contained within
ID boundary line are 200 and 200 miles re-
bctively, and it's area is about 5000
hare miles. Workable seams Of coal
We been found, and are being worked
ing the extreme edges of this vast basin,
the Stormbergen near Molteno, at
1--we in Natal, and IN the Transvaal;
ne of the latter is contained
detached outliers of the coal field
pper, but the remainder of the area is
ctically unexplored and unknown as re-
Ids its mineral resources. Coal is also
md in very many parts of Natal. Man
pese ore occurs on the range of the Cape
hinsula and Drakenstein mountains.
ar Du Tots Kloof, about thirty miles
IN Cape Town a mine has been opened
d worked by private company; the ore
plentiful and rich, yielding from
to so per cent. Garnets, both
and green, are found in the
rthwestern portion of the colony.
ey are abundant at the diamond mines
coarse fragments, but at the river dig
R6 tneT0 are IOuAuoO AOIuS Va g AuOy
or. Agates are found of many shades
b colors, In the Vaal river they are SO
und down and polished as scarcely to re-
ire any further polishing. In the Orange
er also they are numerous and handsome.
Dcidolite, an abestiform mineral, occurs
Griqualand West. This is commonly
afounded with abestos, which is, how
er, quite distinct species. The croci-
lite usually occurs between the bedding
See So tn
hes in thickness, and of dark blush col
The pseudo crocidolite is . handsome
Iamental stone found in GriQualand
bst. and also south of the Orange river.
IL species of fibrous quartz that displays
istinct ray of light down the center when
pperly cut. The quartz minerals are we'll
resented-they are cairngorms, quartz
stal, amethyst, rose quartz, red and
low jaspers, and striped and clouded
pers. Chalcedony is very abundant
Ing the courses Of the Orange and Vaal
ers. Bookstore is also found in the
hnge river. Ores of iron are found
eiy distributed throughout the Trans
Il. Little has yet been done in turning
SO ores to any practical account. but the
gives are skillful in extracting the metal
battle-axes, assegais and other weapons
the ore is generally found to contain
Re than the ordinary proportion Of sill
In the district Of Marico, the galena
ound 30 very near the surface that, in
I'D of making shafts, the hills where the
is found are out down bodily, and many
rmous blocks of the ore are unearthed.
proportion of silver to lead in the
ena is very rich, varying from % ounces
Is ounces per ton, but tho average is said
increase according to the depth from
oh the ore is taken. The daily average
cad ore formerly produced at the mines
between 5000 and LOCO pounds, al
ugh IN one day the output reached the
kimum of 10000 pounds. Transport diff
lties stood in the way of export. and
bn arms ceased to be supplied to the ma
be, the local consumption also ceased,
the mine was closed. In the Middle
hand for this mineral is 80 limited, and
market value 80 low that it does not pay
enses of export. Gold in quantities
70 or small occurs in widely distant por-
6s of South Africa. A great belt Of aurif.
as country, varying both in width and
mess, stretches right across the CONT.
t north Of the Orange river. from Della:
bay to Walfsh bay, while reefs and
vial deposits are likewise found SO ia,
til as Kuysna and IN the Cape PENN.
/. Serious attempts to turn thif
leral wealth to account date back little
70 than twenty years. although its exis
% has formed part of the traditions Of
country for centuries pact. So far bacl
845 l.. Won Buch, the German geologist
Jared that there was wonderful re
blance between the geological forma
of South Africa and Australia, and o.
metalliferous strata of the two lands
value of gold exported through thu
Pe Colony and Natal amounted in 1888 t.
,694, while for the first ten months o
it amounted to 81, ,O84. Thi,
punt only represents that portion of golt
light up and exported by banking ant
camille establishments, but does not in
le considerable amount exported b,
rate persons, nor the value of what ise x
ted through Delagoa bay. The value o
diamonds produced in the diamond
es of Griqualand West during the yea
amounted to 81, 251 $40, and in 1883 Il
Os, 2l8.