RESULTS It has not been found possible to collect accurate statistics of the metal production of Europe prior to 1900. This is due to the fact that a very considerable amount of the ore treated in European smelteries comes from other parts of the world, and, until recent years very incomplete records were kept or given out of these importations. Again, since the outbreak of the war no statistics are available from Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Balkan states and Turkey, and little that is reliable from Russia. Hence the following tabulation, which covers only the thirteen year period from 1901 to 1913 inclusive. And in presenting it the author desires to admit frankly that it may be in part somewhat inaccurate because, in spite of the great care taken, he believes that in the items of copper, lead and zinc some metal has been included that originated in South America, Australasia and South Africa. It must therefore be taken for what it may be worth. It is thought that the possible errors will not exceed ten to fifteen percent at the utmost. Nearly all of the gold and all of the platinum is produced in Russia, nearly all of the tin in England, and all of the quicksilver in Spain, Austria and Italy. As the figures show the gains to be greater than the losses the industry as a whole is in an advancing condition, though the figures for platinum are somewhat misleading, for it is well known that the alluvial fields where this metal is found are approaching exhaustion, and are not being extended. But the decline in the output of the precious metals is not a healthy sign. In all mining countries the search for gold and silver has always been the main cause of the discovery of deposits of the other metals. The base metals have attracted the attention of the prospector either while looking for the noble ones, or after learning by experience that the latter are often present to some extent in ores of the former. Whenever the production of the precious metals begins to decline the inference is that few new discoveries of any kind are being made, and that the industry is living mainly on its past record. This is preeminently the case in Europe where little if any public land remains outside of the old domain of the Turkish and Russian empires, and where the restrictions inevitably connected with searching over privately owned land in long settled communities discourage prospecting and limit the business of discovery to enterprises calling for large capital expenditures, such as the sinking of deep shafts or bore holes, or the installation of dredges or hydraulic plants. The maximum gold product within the term was $41,866,904 in 1910, of silver $15,536,699 in 1912, of copper $44,755,990 in 1913, of lead $57,138,312 in 1912, of zinc $100,264,507 in 1912, of tin $4,573,800 in 1911, of mercury $4,485,705 in 1911 and of platinum $13,650,000 in 1912. Europe, 1901 to 1913 (inclusive): Austria-Hungary, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey CHAPTER XII MISCELLANEOUS MINING LAWS. DIGESTS OF THE MINING LAWS ASHANTI, HAITI, JAPAN, MYSORE, BRITISH GUIANA (Law of 1903, with amendments to January 1st, 1917) The government claims the exclusive ownership and control of all mineral substances occurring on the public domain, and of the precious metals and stones on alienated land. On the latter the owners thereof may prospect for, mine, and realize upon all other mineral substances within their lines without government permit, but are required to conduct their operation, so far as the treatment, safety, and health of employees are concerned, in accordance with the prescriptions of the law; also to be ready at all reasonable times, by keeping proper books of account and maps, to be able to respond to requests of government officials for statistical information as to their operations. Prospecting is not free. A license is required, which may be obtained either at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Mines at Georgetown, the capital, or from any district Warden. The cost is 25 cents. It is good for 12 months, and is indefinitely renewable at the option of the authorities at the same price. It confers the right to prospect for all mineral substances on the public domain, and for gold, silver and precious stones on private land, and to locate as many claims as desired on discoveries of the same, but confers no right to mine, remove, or realize upon valuable material found. When a discovery of importance is made the discoverer must, within 90 days, register his find with the district Warden, or, if there be none, with the Commissioner of Lands and Mines at the capital, and simultaneously to apply for a mining license. Registration fee is fifty cents, license fee, $2.00. The latter continues in force indefinitely so long as the annual ground rental and royalty are paid, and the property is operated to the satisfaction of the Warden in accordance with the provisions of the law and the regulations thereunder. The rental required is 20 cents per acre per annum, payable in advance. The royalty is a matter of bargain with the authorities at the time the mining license is issued. The maximum size for lode claims is 1500 by 800 feet; for alluvial claims not less than 1500 by 800 feet, nor more than 500 acres. When possible all such tracts must be laid out in the shape of parallelograms, and preferably as rectangles. Vertical planes form boundaries in all cases, and hence no extralateral rights are allowed. On precious stone claims, in addition to rental and royalty, a charge of four cents per cubic yard of gravel or soil handled is periodically payable, also a fee of $100 per acre-or fraction thereof the latter in advance. After registration of the mining license, conveyancing rights are complete, but must be effected through the government office. The Commissioner of Lands and Mines has the power to issue licenses giving exclusive prospecting and mining rights on privately owned land for gold, silver, and precious stones, but not for any other metals or substances. The soil owner, however, may operate without license for the latter, but not for the former. The government may at any time proclaim a mining district for all mineral substances on the public domain, and for the precious metals and stones on alienated land, and appoint a Warden in charge of it. As soon as the public are officially notified of the boundaries of such a proclaimed area, all entry therein or exit therefrom is prohibited except at certain specified stations, and at these travelling parties of either natives or whites must stop and allow themselves to be searched and questioned. The governor has the power to grant a concession for mining at any time. Its size, period, and terms are matters of negotiation except that the first item may not be more than 500 acres. Exclusive prospecting tracts may also be secured. In both cases the details of term, rental, royalty and other matters are arranged between the government and applicant. BRITISH INDIA AND BURMA (Law of September 15th, 1913, with amendments to January 1st, 1917) Inspection of unoccupied government land and the taking of samples for assay or display from the surface are free. Upon occupied land the permission of the owner must be obtained. But no excavating or digging can be carried on without a prospecting license, and before this will be granted the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the authorities that he is a loyal subject of the British Empire. The prospecting license is granted only in connection with a selected tract of land. To secure it application is made to the Collector of the district in which the tract lies, and a sketch map presented. Before the latter is prepared the tract may be marked off on the ground by suitable corner stakes or cairns of stone. A deposit of a sufficient amount to cover the cost of a survey is also required, and in addition a deposit of 100 rupees (about $32) per square mile or fraction thereof-of the tract, or proper security must be given. The term allowed is one year, with an extension of two years at the option of the authorities. When the license is granted there is payable a fee not greater than one rupee per acre or fraction thereof per yearly term. During the life of the license the holder has the exclusive right of exploration on the tract, and may realize upon substances found upon payment of the royalties as hereinafter given. An individual or company may take out as many of these as are |