Fee simple title, covering both surface and sub-soil mining rights except in the case of claims located on private land, when surface rights must be obtained from soil owner-can be secured from the Government on the following terms: 1. In the case of claims producing gold or silver either alone or in connection with other metals, on payment of $20 per acre if within 20 miles (by nearest practicable road) of a railroad, or $10 per acre if over 20 miles. 2. In the case of claims producing neither gold nor silver, but yielding any other metal or minerals, $4 per acre if within 20 miles of a railroad, or $2 per acre if over 20 miles. Even after passing title, annual labor on the claim is required by the government, to the extent of $500 per 100 acres or fraction thereof in the case of claims producing gold or silver, and to the extent of $200 per 100 acres or fraction thereof on other claims. Finally, all mining claims to which leasehold or freehold title has been granted are subject to an annual tax of 10 cents per acre. RESULTS The production of metals began in Canada with the discovery of gold in British Columbia in 1858. Copper mining began in Newfoundland in 1872 but did not become important until 1879. Silver production-other than that recovered from placer gold-dates from 1880 so far as reliable statistics indicate. Nickel became a factor of the output in 1889, lead in 1890 and zinc in 1906. From the first date up to and including 1916 the statistics are as follows. Hence the gain in value at the end of the period in the case of each metal, over the average production of the term, has been, for gold 250%, for copper 503%, for silver 227%, for nickel 402%, for lead 169% and for zinc 609%. These are apparently very remarkable results. But being based wholly on values instead of on quantities they are misleading, and particularly so in view of the fact that during the last three years of the term abnormally high prices have prevailed for all metals except gold, while at the same time the latter has lost greatly in purchasing power, probably to the extent of 50%. To present the results in a more normal way, and for comparison with similarly worked out figures for the other great mining fields of the world, the following table has been prepared, which terminates with the statistics of 1913, thus eliminating the effect of the high prices that have prevailed in the metal market since the opening of the European war. This still makes an excellent showing for the Canadian field, excepting in the case of zinc, which is produced only in British Columbia. Canada, 1858 to 1913 (inclusive): Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Terr., Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Considering the field as a whole, and disregarding all statistics later than those of 1913, the status for each metal may be briefly summarized as follows: The peak of gold production occurred in 1889 with an output of $27,957,776, which corresponded with the best year at the Klondyke. Copper production steadily grew in value up to 1912 when the output was worth $13,519,251. This was also the best year for silver in the Dominion, when the product sold for $19,425,656. The record year for nickel was 1910, with a crop valued at $11,181,310. The lead maximum was in 1906 when the output had a value of $3,054,065; and for zinc the date was 1912 when the metal recovered sold for $679,462. None of these maxima were equalled up to the close of 1913. CHAPTER X THE SOUTH AFRICAN SYSTEM OF MINING LAW. DIGEST OF OF PRODUCTION FROM 1879 TO 1916 THE SOUTH AFRICAN SYSTEM These laws, embracing the codes of Rhodesia, the Transvaal, Orangia, Natal, and the Cape Province, present very strong family resemblances, and are markedly different from those of any other mining region. This had resulted first from the sociological conditions that have existed during the settlement of the country, second because of the unusual forms in which its mineral wealth came under the notice of the white man, and third, from the rapidity with which, in the last forty years, the culture of its inhabitants has changed from semi-civilization— and even barbarism-to modernity. It will be interesting as well as helpful to an understanding of the peculiarities of its mineral laws to give certain details of the land and its inhabitants. About 92% of its population (which in 1910 was estimated at 8,400,000) are native blacks or colored people, including a small number of Asiatics, mainly Hindus. The former are the laborers. It is against the law to train them to perform any kind of work requiring discretion or initiative, although in the older parts of Natal and the Cape Province the infraction of this regulation is winked at by the authorities, and a very considerable number of the pure natives have, by ability and faithfulness, won the confidence of employers and occupy positions of trust requiring knowledge and education. But they have no standing as citizens. They are allowed to do any work requiring physical strength or manual dexterity but debarred from all other lines of activity. In the mining industry, for instance, they may learn to use the hammer and drill, and become very expert at the work, but may not point, load or fire holes or operate a machine drill; they may fire the boilers of a power plant but may not handle the engine. Throughout the whole sub-continent the white man directs, supervises and operates machinery, and is absolutely debarred from common labor. If he trespasses this unwritten law he loses caste at once. This absolute color line has had its natural effect upon the mining industry, for it has made the business of prospecting impossible. There is not one of these pioneer mineral explorers in the countries under consideration. Consequently the discovery of new mines is a rare incident, and always purely a matter of accident. In its upland and mountainous parts where the mines are to be found, it is a semi-arid and-during the rainy season-an unhealthy land, afflicted with malaria in the valleys, sparsely timbered, provided with no navigable rivers, but crossed with innumerable water courses which are raging floods during a part of the year, and often little more than series of stagnant pools during the remainder. Such a country affords meagre camping facilities and does not invite the wandering explorer. But during the four or five months of the winter few regions possess a climate more attractive. There is a monotony in the scenery which at first is depressing but later becomes restful and conducive to moderation in activity. It is an ancient land, which has been inhabited for many centuries by uncivilized native races who have left behind them traces of the rude stage of culture to which they attained in the way of crude rock paintings, roughly built stone structures, and, in certain parts, a vast number of shallow excavations along the lines of outcrop of gold bearing veins. The date of these prehistoric labors has not been satisfactorily determined and perhaps never may be as there is a total absence of all inscriptions upon even the most pretentious of the ruins. But it is fairly well agreed among archæologists that at some period |