The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-05-08
ARE RICH YET POOR
FiLiPINos LITTLE SUSPECT
WEALTH OF MINES.
Valuable Minerals Exist on Islands,
But They Have Never Been Used
by the Natives, Says
I Authority.
BY MAURICE GOODMAN.


(Acting Chief Of Division of Mines)
That valuable minerals existed In
the Philippines. and that some sort of
mining was being carried on, became
evident to the Spaniards on their first
Introduction to the islands Coming,
as many of these adventures did,
from their rich colonial possessions in
America, they were naturally on the
lookout for such mineral wealth as
they had grown accustomed to expect
In a new and savage land. They actu-
ally found gold idols and copper uten-
sils and iron tools but. unfortunately.
the sources of these metals were for
the most part far in the mountainous
interior, where a white man dared not
venture without strong military es-
cort.
This was centuries ago, and with
the passage of time conditions have inn
proved, as they will do even in the
tropical Orient. The people may now
be said to be peaceably inclined, su-
perstition has been largely erased, al
though still present to an astonishing
degree, ordinary intelligence and edu-
cation are far more general, and trans
portation facilities, however hard 1t
may be to believe at times, have GER
tainly improved.
The early Spaniards found gold to
be the most widely distributed OF all
the valuable minerals. Their richest
deposits in the early days were locat-
ed in Camarines Norte and In Misamis
and Surigao. AS far back as 1913 we
find that the Spanish crown was exact
ing its fifth share of the gold extracted
from the placers of Paracale and Man,
bulao In the Camarines.
The next important mineral deposits
to receive the attention of the Spanish
government were the iron ore deposits
of Morong and Bulacan. In 1881 the
Spanish government authorized and
assisted Chaplain Don Juan Belli OF
the royal navy to construct smelter
for the purpose of manufacturing prin-
cipally munitions of war. Since then
the Bulacan iron industry has enjoyed
q somewhat checkered career. and 1t
still survives, its present output how
ever. being restricted to the more
peace promoting implements Of agri-
culture. Everything considered, the
quality Of the products produced by
these shelters is excellent. and COM
pares fayorably with that manufac-
tured from imported castiron.
About 1927 the first coal outcrops
were reported, but the Importance OF
these discoveries was not recognized
until steamships made their advent in
Philippine waters. and then happened
what so frequently occurs. A mis-
guided enthusiasm swept over owners
and investors, causing them to expend
large amounts on ill-advised plants,
buildings and roads which eventually
had to be abandoned. The coal mining
industry Of the Philippines was some
time in recovering from the setback
received by these early ventures. But
as the first excitement subsidized and
the early losses were forgotten new
enterprises sprang up, encouraged by
the prevailing high prices and continu
ally increasing demand for a suitable
fuel. AS result a fair-sized ant
seemingly increasing coal mining indus
try had sprung up. more particularly
in Cebu, when the outbreak OF the late
instruction put stop to PRACTICAL,
all mining operations.
The history of copper mining i
more recent than that of the minera
deposits previously mentioned. Fo
centuries it had been known that COZ
per ores existed, and that utensils AM
weapons of the red metal were beini
manufactured by the Igorrotes locate'
in the mountains of northern Luzon
On account of the supposed unfriend
illness of the savages inhabiting thi
region. but little information could b
gained regarding the nature OF the &c
posts or their methods of working an
smelling the ore. 1t was not unit
1850. therefore, that an expedition wa
organized to escort Don Antonio He
nandez, Spanish mining engines
who made the first report on thes
mines. This report was followed l
1861 by another at greater length an
more detail made by Jose Maria Sai
tos. These reports were so encoura'
ing that a company was organized |
1852 for the purpose Of mining an
smelling the copper ores Of MancayaI
Santos was detailed by the govern
ment to assist in the enterprise, an
SO long as he lived everything wer
well and over a thousand tons OF col
per were produced. After his deaf
the company became disorganized an
shortly thereafter practically all ope
ations ceased
The Filipino insurrection OF 9s. 10
lowed as 1t was by American occup
ton of the islands, was blessing
disguise to the mining industry OF ii
Philippines. 1t is true that the insu
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