The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-08
FRESH GOLD FIELDS.
Latest Informa ton from the New Au-
rfferOus Region I'm South Africa.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
Most of the speculation in South African
mining stocks, which has become such a
craze in Europe. is confined to the mines and
prospects of the Witwaters Rand, in the
south part of the South African Republic.
The great gold fields to the north of this
republic, however, have been taken into ac-
count in the recent estimates of the future
productivity of the country. These northern
fields are in Matabeleland and Mashonaland.
the first of which was practically forbidden
ground TO all white men until the results
of the recent Matabele war opened the vast
country to European enterprise. The sec
cnd region, which adjoinS Matabeleland on
the east, was first traversed by Montagu
Kerr about ten years ago. He told the
writer, later, that he did not believe there
was anything in Mashonaland to attract
white enterprise, which Illustrates the fact
that pioneer explorers are now and then de-
ceiyed as TO the real value of a country.
A few of the latest facts about the gold dis
coveries in these northern regions are given
in this article.
If the mining claims that had been pegged
out In Matabeleland and .Mashonaland, up
to last September, were placed side by side
they would form a belt 1000 miles long.
This gives some idea of the extent Of the
gold fields. though nobody yet knows how
far they stretch away to the north. Nearly
sixty thousand claims have thus far been
located. Not a great deal of development
have been sunk. TIL hopes of the miners,
therefore, are largely based upon the very
encouraging promise of the surface scratch
ings. There is not a particle of doubt of
the great extent of the auriferous Lodges
or reefs, as they are called in South Africa.
Experts who have gone TO Matabeleland
from this country and Australia say they
never saw SO much visible gold as is found
there. There is no doubt of the marvellous
richness of the surface quartz. But what
is the real value of the reefs? Will they
pinch out or will they pan out well far
beneath the surface? The experts say CON
most probable that the auriferous quartz
lies only on the surface. 1t would be UNI
out and IL a small fraction fulfil their
wonderful promise the prosperity of the
country is assured.
So far everything seems encouraging. De-
velopment work has been carried on with
much energy during the past summer and
the, results thus far seem to confirm the
highest expectations of the miners who
wen into raptures over the first prospects.
1t is a curious fact that in Matabeleland
Sery little nd original HsrS gr9sp s1aimg has sa vet been been
pegged out on virgin reefs. Nobody knows
who the ancient miners were that covered
But there is still plenty of trace of their
work. 1t was very imperfect. They Sc
cured only a part of the outcrop gold.
and the miners Of to-day have simply
pitched upon these ancient workings. upon
which to exercise their industry: In this
way the ancient prospectors did a good
The work is further advanced in Mashona-
land. because the country has been opened
two or three years longer. The surface in
ulAd 0Io ~ ae0e1 80
gions, but in Masnonaland quite a number OF
mines have been considerably developed. and
II Is found that the richness o. the ore ex-
tends far below the surface. AS yet. how
ever. the output has been small. and for
an excellent reason. Ii costs enormously 10
bring anything into the country Nearly all
the goods and machinery have thus far been
transported nearly a thousand miles by OK
wagon. The freight charges on nearly
everything taken into Mashonaland are on
an average about three times the value OF
the articles. Only one large quartz crushing
mill has yet been taken into the country,
and IL cost $4,000 TO get IL from Cape Town
to the mines, where it is now at work.
The railroad from Beira. on the Indian
ocean, 10 Mashonaland is pushing onward.
Ii has now been extended clear across the
fv belt. which was so fatal to oxen that
freightage. up TO this time, has been prac-
tically cut off by the much shorter route
from the Indian ocean. Another railroad
from Cape Town is pushing on toward
Matabeleiand. and will ultimately be ex-
tended 10 Fort Salisbury, the capital OF
Mashonaland. These Il les will work a
revolution in the progress o. mining and
have a fair chance 10 become prosperous
and develop its great mining and agricul-
tural resources until the railroads reach
them.
There are extensive farming and grazing
lands. the climate has been proved TO be
healthy. and there Is no doubt a great future
before these large territories, which are just
beginning to be turned TO the uses OF civ
flied people. They are. however. no place
for white laborers, for the natives are will
ing 20 work and supply ali the unskilled
labor needed. and as the gold is all ex-
tracted by quartz crushing. there is no
chance for placer mining.