6 GeoliKj!/ of tliA Gold Fipldx of Britislt Guiana. 



Legislatidii now became necessary, and the (iovennnent bnniiilit 

 into force the first set of mining regulations in 18(SG. Viewed in tlie 

 light of subsequent experience these were very cumbi-ous, but tlie fact 

 that the gold-mining industry was recognised by the (lovernment 

 gave a great impetus to it. Speculation became rife in the 

 colony, and many companies were formed to work the claims already 

 located and to prospect in new country. This induced many of 

 the labouring population to go to the interior, wages being at very 

 high rates. 



The method then adopted and since carried on successfully to 

 obtain the precious metal was that of alluvial washing, the Omai 

 district on the left bank of the Essequibo liivei- l)eing one of the most 

 successfully worked in this wa}'. It has been roughlv estimated that 

 about 24,000 ounces of gold were obtained from the Omai placers in 

 two and a quarter years from the commencement of working them. 



Attention was directed in 1890 to the numerous outcrops of ([uartz 

 which were found to exist in some parts of the gold-bearing districts 

 of the colony, and miners from Europe, North Amei-ica and Situtli 

 Africa visited the colony for the pui-pose of testing the capabilities of 

 these reputed reefs. Large areas were located, notably at Kanaimapoo 

 and at Appaparu on the Demerai'a River, and in the vicinity of 

 Arakaka on the Barima River. Companies were floated to work these 

 locations, and quartz-crushing mills were erected on several of the 

 properties. Unfortunately none of these enterprises were successful, 

 the Barima mine being the only one which produced gold in any 

 quantity from the quartz crushed, and after producing about 8,000 

 ounces of raw gold in two years this mine was closed down in 1897. 

 The cause of the non-success of the mines was largely the installation 

 of the mills, and the commencement of crushing operations before the 

 mines were sufficiently developed to ensure their mills being fully 

 supplied with gold-bearing quartz. 



Recently the properties at and near the Barima mine have been 

 acquired by an English company, and the work of re-opening and 

 developing the mines has been systematically carried on, with very 

 favourable indications. 



Towards the latter end of 1903 the outcroj) of a gold-bearing 

 quartz reef was discovered on the claims owned by a man named 

 Peters, which are situated on the right bank of the Puruni Ri\ er, a 

 tributary on the left bank of the Mazaruni River. These claims were 

 purchased I)y an American syndicate, which at once commenced 

 development work, resulting in a very lai-ge reef of auriferous quartz 

 being exposed. A mill with fifteen stamps has consequently been 

 erected there and crushing operations started. The prospects of this 

 mine are very promising. 



This successful result has attracted atteiition, and prcspections for 

 aurifei'ous quartz reefs are now being carried on in many of the mining 

 districts of the colony. 



After alluvial washing had been carried on foi- some 3fears with 

 marked success at Omai in the Essequibo River district the various 



