1864. | Mining, Mineralogy, and Metallurgy. 
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V. MINING, MINERALOGY, AND METALLURGY. 
Tue most noteworthy fact in connection with British mining which 
has presented itself during the quarter, has been the production of 
gold from the quartz lodes of the Cambrian Hills. Many years have 
passed away since we were told that gold was to be found in Merioneth- 
shire. Some of the precious metal was exhibited in 1851, but this 
had been obtained at a cost which far exceeded its value. In 1861 
the Vigra and Clogau mine gave 2,784 standard ounces of gold to the 
adventurers, but in 1862 they obtained 5,299 ounces. For some time 
the prospects were dull; large quantities of quartz were worked 
containing no visible gold, and an infinitesimally small proportion 
was separated by amalgamation. However, the prospects brightened 
towards the close of the year 1863 ; and during the past quarter the 
following quantities have been duly reported :— 
Oz. Dwts. Cwt. Qrs. Ibs, 
103. 11from7 1 23 of quartz. 
ISH ie: Heese cr 
DgGtalGs eyeelOuss an 
————t ——— 
wht 
2? 
oP) 
586 3 26) 22 9 
This is perhaps the most extraordinary yield on record of gold from 
a quartz vein. We find, however, by the report of the Vigra and Clogau 
Mining Company, that since the date of their last report, 1,059 
ounces of gold have been received, this being obtained from quartz 
giving 24 ounces of gold to the ton on the average. 
In the neighbourhood of Bala Lake some discoveries were made 
last year, from which much was expected. This has not, how- 
ever, been realized. But in January some quartz was operated on 
from Castell-carn-Dochan, giving from 5$ ounces to 74 ounces to 
the ton. At Penrhos and Tynyrhenrhos, stones have been taken from 
quartz lodes containing visible gold. The extraordinary products of 
the Vigra and Clogau mine naturally awaken the hopes of the adven- 
turers in the other gold-mines around Dolgelly. It should, however, 
be borne in mind by all, that nothing can be more capricious than 
the occurrence of gold in the quartz lodes. We know not when the 
gold may disappear—we have no rule to guide us as to its discovery. 
Therefore, caution should be the rule of all speculators, who are 
tempted by the auriferous treasures of the Welsh mountains. 
British mining presents but little that is worthy of our record. The 
fact that upwards of 10 tons of nickel and cobalt speiss has been ob- 
tained from the sandstone of Alderly Edge, in Cheshire, is of interest. 
In our last number we drew especial attention to the coal-cutting 
machines of the Ardsley Coal Company, and of Ridley and Jones. 
Mr. Firth, of the former company, informs us that the Ar dsley machine 
has been motaeed to two feet in length, “therefore,” he says, “in the pro- 
gress of invention we have gone far beyond the one in question.” The 
