The morning call., 1893-07-16
IN AFRICAN MINES
An Experts Interesting
Account.
The Methods Employed on the Dark
Continent in Obtaining Gold.
Its Character.

Henry Forbes Julian. mining engineer
and metallurgical expert of Johannesburg.
South Africa, is at the Baldwin. where he
was seen by CALL reporter yesterday.
Mr.. Julian has been connected with the
most extensive mining operations IN that
district, and his visit to the United States
is for the purpose of studying the Ameri-
can system of mining.
| He has just completed visit to the
principal mining districts of Montana, and
starts to-day for an inspection Of the Cali
fornia mines.
! Thus far he finds much difference exist
! ing between the American and English
system Of mining, which he attributes
largely to the fact that the ores OF South
Africa are all low grade, the average yleld
being but 50 to the ton, from which must
be deducted So ton. which is the aver
age cost for treating the ore.
The process that has been adopted for
treating the ores in the Johannesburg
mines is what is known as the cyanide.
whereby So to 80 per cent OF the metal Is
obtained. and this is regarded as more
satisfactory than higher percen tage OF
yield by other processes which involve
greater expense.
The johannesburg mining district COM
prises an area of about 200 square miles
Ihe principal yield is gold, which is found
In cOnglomerate of quartz pebbles lm-
bedded in cement of pyrltes OF iron, the
gold lying between the pebbles as we'll as
In them, which neceSSitates the use OF
stamp mills to crush the ore. whereby
about SO per cent of the gold is obtained;
the cyanide process is then applied, which
yields about 20 per cent OF what Is lett IN
the taillngs. The present yield OF the dis
trlct Is 115, 600 ounces a month, worth rs
12s per ounce. AS there are no smelters
or reduction works. the gold produced Is
quite impure, and hence the low valuation
already stated, pure gold being valued at
"a 3s lid er ounce.
Tie veins or reefs in this district are
almost invariably uniform in yield, and do
not fiuctuate as they do in this country,
hence when a reef is opened its value eau
be estimated to an almost absolute GER
tainty by taking its cubic measurement
and multiplying by the average value of
yield.
There are some sixty or seventy solvent
companies operating these mines, and not
withstandlng the low average of yield,
enormous fortunes have been realized dur
ing the six years since the development
was begun. the Robinson Company. as an
instance. having paid yearly dividend OF
S2,0u0,000 on a capital of g.. $50, 600, or
about l6 per cent.
The RotflschIlds are now investing
81, ,000. 900 in development work. and their
engineer has already estimated that the
1000 claims they now own contain not less
than 100000.
The size Of the claims in South Africa is
much smaller than thDse of this country,
being but 80 feet leng hwise of the vein
by 400 feet crosSwise, and the Government
charges 81 per month for each claim.
The while population of Johannesburg
il 10000 and is rapidly increasing. Every
nationality is represented, but the CON-
munIty Is very peaceful. Rowdyism is
unknown and no trade organizations exist.
The labor is performed by natives, who
receive 93 per month and their subsisL-
ence. There are about 100000 of these
employed. The white miners perform no
labor, but superintend the work, receive
"a los a week ana sleeping quarters.
Mechanics, macniniSls and men with trades
average FL day.
The government is Dutch and is very
strong. but the good order that prevails is
largely due to the existence of the Cham
ber of Mines, and organization for the
regulation and SystematizIng of the busl-
ness.
The Dutch Boer Governm ent objects to
taking correct census of the population
on account Of the large increase of popu-
latlon from foreign Immigration.
About forty-fve miles from Johannes
burg, In what Is known as the Mlddleburg
DlSIIiCt, bNcIo eXIeLS lu area VI dpOuL
$500 square miles, where very good
quality of Ignite coal is found which can
be mined at cost of about 81 ton. but
owing TO the limited transportation IacilI-
ties it is not yet extensively developed and
fuel is quite costly, as there is no lin ber
near Johannesburg. Lumber. such as is
used In the mines is imported from Amer
lea and other foreign countries ana costs
about 81 cubic foot laid down. Hence,
mining is necessarily conducted on very
different principles from those that pre-
vail where lumber is plentiful and pro-
pOrti0nately cheap.
The climate is unsurpassed, the mean
| temperature being 70 to IS degrees. No
snow, no freezing weather. but III winter
much rain for about five IL Onths with oc-
casional hoar frosts. Without irrigation
the land cannot be used for agriculture,
excepting in the vicinity of Cape Town.
The altitude is about 5000 feet above the
sea level. There is, however. some grazing
country.
This is Julian's first visit to America,
and lie Is delighted with his Impressions.
He considers us wonderful nation, full
of energy and enthusiasm.