Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-08-19
HAVE GOLD AND coal.
Mineral Wealth OF .he philippines Greatov
Than Was Expectsu.

FRANK haruth. r. II. u. s., sent q
pamphlet on "A New Center of Gold
Production" to Ambassador Hay, at
London. OF which the following is an
excerpt. Mr.. karuth. who is president
OF the Philippines Mineral Syndicate,
limited. says in a letter to Ambassador
Hay accompanying the pamphlet:
These were written in 1894. Since
then the exploratory work under my
direction has been carried on as vigor-
ously as circumstances would permit
AT all events, extensive auriferous ore
deposits have been opened up quite
near the sea, assuring a large output
Tor many years to come. Also, the
continuation Of the auriferous forma-
ton has been proved over a wide dis
trict
The complete absence of practical
roads throughout the district, and. in
deed, throughout the islands must at
hrst contne mining operations, retiuir-
ing neaEy plants. to points near the
harbors or narigable rivers. But such
points, l venture to say. are numerous
enough to give rise TO a prosperous in
dustry. l know Of no other part Of
the world, the Alaska Treauwefl mines
excepted. where pay ore is found with
IN a few hundred yards Of the anchor
age or sea going vessels So far. the
fringe only Of the auriferous forma-
ton has been reached. There is no
brook that finds its way into the Pa
cine ocean whose sand and gravel do
not at least pan the color of gold
Heavy nuggets are sometimes brought
down from the Sierras, where believe
there are promising fields for hydraul-
&c mining. Alluvial gold is also got
IN the Island OF Mindano. especially in
the districts Of S"riSao and Misms.
on Its northern coast. Extensive de-
posts or copper ore occur in LuZon.
walch Will probably prove remunera-
tive when means OF transport have
been devised.
Galena both auriferois and argen-
Niefous. is found in veins in LuZon and
Cebu. sometimes accompanied by zinc
blends.
do not know thu occurrence of true
coal in the islands. The beds which
have been internationally worked in the
islands OF Cebu ard Masbate consist OF
Ignite of very good quality. Some
years ago large outcrops of such coal
We're found near tie beach in the Is
land Of Mashate. but most of it, which
could he got without mining has been
removed for the use of interinsular
steaEne One OF the syndicate's en-
sineers. man of experience as mana
ger OF coal mines III Lancashire. found
Masbate coal quite :;seful for steamers
The quantity Of coal available in IL
concession Of about sixty acres is about
l.2oo.0Oo tons. The Mesba1e beds are
so tilted as to form an angle of about
80 degrees with the horizontal.
| have also evidence of the occur
renee OF gems in All upper valley Of the
Sierra. One of the engineers observed
in sample of roughly washed alluvial
gold, brought down by the aborigines,
certain small stones, which. on exam
nation in til,. schools OF mines in Ken
sington. Were found to be rubies and
hyarinths. was unable to detach a
party for the examination Of the To-
cal!ty. but have marked it.
We We're 1T no time in want of labor
at cheap rates, though at times we EN-
ployed several hundred red men. The
E!col men are adopts by avatism in
their work, and soon adapt themselves
TO European methods. On the whole,
the general conditions for mining en-
serprises are exceptionally favorable.
After describing the appearance Of
the country, its government and the
gold fields. and the manner in which
!hey are worked, The writer continues:
A very peculiar deposit Of native cop
per occurs in the neiehhorhood Of one
of the Philippine mineral syndicates
concessions. The metal is found in a
bed Of gravel. in little nuggets of glo-
bular or pear-shaped form 1t assays
over 80 per cent. Of pure copper with
not inconsideraLle mixture of gold
CT hn IS
and its cOmmercial values have not been
deter mined as yet, and its origin is
rather puZZling.
The coal found in the island is not
true coal. but Ignite. probably OF the
tertiary period, and Of a variety whicl.
can scarcely be distinguished by the
eye from true coal There 5 no rea-
son why true coal should not eventual
~ be found, for it is found and worked
III Japan. whose geological formation
has much in common with that of the
Philippines. There has been nc sys-
tematic search made in these islands
for coal, and whenever 1t has been
found. 1t has betrayed its presence by
outcropS. Thus, in the Island of Mas
bate. a coal steamship owner drew his
supply OF coal from bed which is so
tilted as to have the appearance OF a
vein. He supplied himself as long as
his native laborers could get the coal
with crowbars. Mr.. Hilton, who ex-
amined the bed cursorily, estimated the
available quantity of coal at about GEO.
600 tons IN that particular concession.
He is, however. of the opinion that
very much larger quantities are avail
able in adjoining concessions. These
mines are practically untouched and,
IS they are situated within few miles
Of the coast. they can be worked at !;
profit by whomsocrer should venture
20 introduce the necessary capital Mr..
Hilton. after trying it in local steam
er, gives it the character Of "a very
good steam COAL" A similar quality
of Ignite has recently been found in a
district where the Philippine Mineral
Syndicate is now working and it will
soon be tried for the production of
steam.
IT,, IL l.