58 Mr. J. Napier on Copper Smelting. 



buyers formed themselves into a confederacy, the most pernicious 

 and destructive to the mining interest. The secret transpiring, 

 other companies were formed, and a better price was given for 

 the ore, yet far beneath its just value. At the ticketing day 

 then (as now) a dinner was provided at the expense of the mines, 

 in proportion to the ores they had on sale ; and the system ap- 

 pears to have experienced but little modification since it was first 

 introduced." 



Formerly another column was in the ticket, marked standard, 

 giving the relative value, which indicated the rise or fall of the 

 ore at once. To obtain this, some arbitrary sum was fixed as 

 the smelter's cost for obtaining the copper, and the standard 

 then deduced from the price given ; but the constant misappre- 

 hension of the standard led to the suspicion, that it was a mere 

 scheme to puzzle and lead the miners astray as to the real value 

 of their ores. The fixing of a standard for general comparison 

 was exceedingly useful for all parties. The true standard cannot 

 be fixed, each smelter having his own standard, and this is 

 always varying, as a rise or fall in coals, wages, &c. will change 

 it ; and this every smelter keeps to himself, which is the safeguard 

 of the miner. Notwithstanding, from long experience and a same- 

 ness in working, with attention to the market, an average rate 

 may be easily attained for bidding at the ticketings. The fol- 

 lowing may be given as near to that rate at present, and also the 

 method of procedure for fixing the price to be ofi"ered for the ore : — 



1. Fix the price which you determine the copper contained 

 in the ore shall yield when delivered into the works ; say, for 

 example, you fix upon .€65 per ton, and the ore to be bid for has 

 14| per cent. Multiply the per-centage by the price, and divide 

 by 100 :— 



65 X 14^ = 91 8— 100 = £9 3*. 7d. per ton of ore. 

 But there are 31 cwts. given to the ton, and other general 

 allowances amounting to 7 per cent, to be added, making — 

 13s. 6d. + £9 Ss. 7d. = £9 17s. Id. 



2. From the above sum is now to be deducted the returning 

 charges, which are the net cost that practice has shown for 

 smelting such an ore, and this differs with different smelters, but 

 for illustration we keep by the rule. An ore of 9 per cent, pro- 

 duce cost 225. per ton smelting; Is. per ton is added for every 

 per cent, above, and Is. deducted for every per cent, below 9. 

 Thus 11^ per cent, will cost 27s., which deducted from the 

 £9 17s. Id. leaves .€8 10s. Id. as the sum to be bid for the ore. 

 A little less or more is given according to requirement. Thus 

 the purchaser is guided by the general standard deduced from 

 past sales ; and if he, by any improved method or otherwise, 

 smelts at a lower rate, the profit goes into his own pocket. 



The ores, when bought, are taken from the place of purchase 



