The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-25

Suggestions were made as to the best
way to visit the mines to advantage, and
added TO this much TO my pleasure, was
an authorized permit giving me fun au-
thority to visit all the workings above and
below the surface. No one can tell in
letter or describe in words, to be fully
realized, what Is to be seen when making
full and complete visit to these various
mines for two days, as | have had the
privilege Of doing. Diamond mines are
different from all other mines in their
formation They have been correctly call
ed collocal cylinders or large chimneys, 300
to LOCO feet in diameter, which in ages
gone by gave outlet for volcanic action
that threw up from depths unknown liquid
carbon that took on "a form of crystalliza-
ton and gave to the world these precious
stones so much loved and admired.
These cylinder openings can be easily
followed down from the surface by dis
tinct lines, showing where the "kmber-
lite" or blue diamond bearing ground, so
called. is separated from lis surrounding
formation. This is of a rock nature, and
is takel out at first from what Is called
an open mine, until the great depth reach
ed requires il to be taken through shafts.
as is done in other deep mines. When this
blue diamond rock is brought to the sur
face II is carried out and spread in large
open fields, one or two feet thick, ana left
for the elements 10 work upon, and In due
time il dissOlVes, or IS reduced 60 such
condition that it can be run through cy-
finders and washing pans, the true dia-
mond composition separated from stones
large gravel, or anything not desired.
How the work Is Done.
This pulverized dirt containing the dia-
monds is run through large, low, metal
tubs. with arms containing iron teeth that
go around from The center and mix up the
dirt and water that runs in constantly.
There are large numbers of these tubs or
rotary pans and in this way each day an
immense amount of dirt is run off, called
taings or slime which can be seen in
piles many feet high. and covering acres
of ground. AS this dirt is washed out and
carried up in buckets to the slime pile, IN
another direction are coming into small
tubs and clear water little pebbles dia-
monds. and various collections, the result
of this washing and separating process.
All this is taken TO a special buildings
and run through what is called the pulsa-
tors process these consolidated mines
own and control, valuable labor-sa wing
machine that assists greatly in reducing
The cost of production of diamonds After
this all work is done by hand. selecting,
grading or classifying the diamonds as
needed for market. A further explana-
lion in regard to this "kimberlite" or
blue rock is that il must remain on the
surface for months before il Is in a pub
verized condition. and even then there are
more or less Jumps of rock the elements
fail TO disintegrate These are crushed by
machinery, and are then suitable for the
process / have described.
sight worth Seeing.
II is a great sight 10 look upon one or
two hundred acres covered with this min
ersl as taken from the mines, each day
thousands OF loads being added TO IT., aud
al the same time as much as is added
taken away of the dirt that has remained
long enough 10 go to the mills. In this way
there is a sys ematc routine of work car
rcd out on tie surface that soon convinces
a stranger there is one at the head Of all
mat is done who is competent and under
stands how to plan direct and make
al ~ u.bat aruoa.. - -.