408 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 



this amount can have been mined east of Lake Baikal. Several of the 

 copper mines of the Trans-Baikal are understood to be promising. 



The copper production of China for 1906 has been estimated at 

 2,500 short tons, the most notable producer being the province of 

 Yiinnan, which is credited with one-half. Other producing provinces 

 are Kiang Si, Kuang Si, Kwei Chow, Hu-peh, and Szechuan. The 

 whole of the output, in addition to heaw imports, is required for 

 domestic consumption. Australia contributed 373 tons of copper ingots 

 direct to Chinese ports in 1906, besides 500 tons to Hong Kong; and 

 in 1907, 2,030 tons of ingots to Chinese ports. From personal observa- 

 tion, I am inclined to believe that the copper production of China is 

 seriously under-estimated abroad. 



Shan-tung (German) and French Indo-China are known to possess 

 copper mines, but their value has yet to be ascertained. 



In Formosa (Japanese) the exploitation of copper may be said to 

 have only commenced in 1906, and not much is yet known about its 

 success. Ores of copper are associated with the gold mines in the 

 Keelung district. 



In the Philippines, the best known copper deposits are in Luzon, 

 the northmost island. Here tetrahedrite was worked by the natives 

 before the discovery of the islands by Spain, and almost continuously 

 since by a Spanish company. Between 1864 and 1874, 1,116 metric 

 tons were produced. Copper ores are also known in Mindanao Island, 

 at the southei'ii end of the group. 



There are some undeveloped copper mines in the north of Borneo. 



New Guinea may one day figure among copper-producing 

 countries. An experimental shipment of 17 tons from a mine only 15 

 miles from Port Moresby, in 19u6, gave 26'8 = 32 per cent, of copper; 

 and in 1907, 135 tons of ore were shipped to Australia.. 



New Zealand has, so far, produced no appreciable amount of 

 copper, but there are sigTis of development in the Northern Island. 

 She imported in ingots from Australia, in 1906, 52 long tons : and in 

 1907, 115. 



The Australian Commonwe.ilth (including Tasmania) ranks fifth 

 among tJie copper producers of the world, being distanced, in the order 

 named, by the United States, Mexico, Spain, and Japan. 



According to British statistics ("' Mines and Quarries"), the pro- 

 duction of the various States in metric tons was as follows: — 



1905. 1906. 



Queensland (copper) 7,337 ... 10,239 



South Australia (copper and matte) ... 6,814 ... 8,539 



(ore) 3,019 ... 535 



New South Wales (ingots) 8,090 ... 9,108 



„ (ore and matte) ... 640 ... 804 



Western Australia ... 2,427 ... 7,549 



Tasmania (copper and copper ore) ... 3,019 ... 535 



Given in the above form it is impossible to estimate the copper con- 

 tents of the ore. In the reports of the Mining Departments of the 

 various States, the following information is given, but it is regrettable 

 that tlie statistics, not having been compiled on a uniform plan, 

 cannot be compared or totalled. 



