Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-25
The Diamond Fields OF Brazil.

II is not generally remembered that
| Brazil was at 6nc time the most i'm
portant diamond producing country in
the world we are reminded Of this
fact by the second secretary of the
British Legation at rio, who has just
sent home a report on a journey to that
part Of the country. Minas Gereas.
WheEc" this mineral has been obtained
in greatest quantity. Mr.. Beaumont
tells us that though the quality of the
brazilian stones still makes them more
valuable than any others, diamond
mining has Of late been comparatively
neglected the industry being now. for
the most part. carried on by single in
diyiduals, "gar.mpciroS," or small as
sociations, working with rude and OBJ
sOlcte machinery. A company known
as the Boa Vista has recently been
formed in Paris, with capital Of 2
0O0.o 600 francs 70 carry on work on a
systematic basis ana on i large scale.
for very long period. and if it sue
ceeds the industry viii no doubt re-
ccive Il great impetus therefrom.
MI. Beaumont's journey was under
taken partly through curiosity to visit
the iittl--known country ana partly in
the hope of learning something Of the
methods ANA prospects i'll vogue. espe-
cially those OF the new company. from
which such great things are expected.
The company's operations are conferred
about the town OF Diamantina, a place
founded by a band of s.. Paulo and
Portuguese Adventures i'll the seven
tcenth century. Diamonds were discoV-
cred in this locality about the year
1928. Between 1712 and 1906, the period
of the most active production. the dia-
mond mines produced 1.030, 305 carats,
at cost which averaged i0s. Per carat
between 1172 and 1875, 72s. Cd. per carat
between 1926 and 1900, and 32s. between
1901 ANA 1906 During the same period
gold was extracted amounting in value
to GI91,410. From 1872 to 1913, under
the administration of the Real EN-
traccao.' so stones We're found of an
ottawa us caratS) or more. The gems
extracted. after the largest ana best
had been set aside for the crown. We're
sold by contract ut from about 31s. to
JOs. Il carat.
For sixteen years at the beginning
Of the present century the banking
houses 0f Hope in Holland ana Of Bar
uutput of which was assigned to them
in repayment of loan 12000.000 forms.
Then the government took hold Of the
administration, and continued to do so
until lS43. In that year it was decided
by decree that the lands should be put
up at auction every four years, the re
serve price being 80 TriS ed q bra
Gu" but its provisions were never car
rird ont being modified 3y the law of
lS52. which recognized the rights of all
thrS" WHO already effectively occupied
mining lots on payment Of one real per
"Eraca quadrada.' The term of occu-
patton might be indefinitely extended |
Lands not yet occupied We're to be put |
up at auction, the reserve price being |
one real per "bracl quadrada." Be |
tween l712 and 1913 354 200 caratS were |
taken out by the Real EXtraccao." |
Since that date mining has been car
ried on exclusively by private individ- |
uAls, and mostly on a small scale. |
Tho total production Of Brazil up to |
1850 is estimated by NJ. Garccix at 2ia |
tons. 1t is impossible to form an accu-
rate estimate of the present production, |
hut il is probably about 40. 900 carats a
year. including the Bahia diamond |
fields.