Gold Mines of Georgia. 



13 



by its simplicity and economy of timber. Seven feet square is a 

 good size for a shaft, in which it is intended to work two buckets by 

 hand, although five feet will admit the free use of the tools, &c. with- 

 out the buckets. Two of the sides of a shaft, should be in the same 

 direction with the vein, and the other two crossing it, as exhibited in 

 Fig. 16. It is not always requisite to commence a shaft on the vein 

 at the surface, for if it dips much, it will soon run out as in Fig. 13. 

 In such a case, it may be advisable, to begin so near to one side of 

 the vein, that it may come into the shaft at any given depth. A vein 

 may occur so near the side of a ridge, that it would be an advantage 

 to drive a tunnel into the side as at Fig. 17. 



By this method, the chippings may be carried off in wheelbarrows, 

 or even in carts, more conveniently, than when hoisted vertically 

 the same distance. It should be remembered to give the floor suffi- 

 cient inclination, to carry off whatever may come into the workings. 

 A tunnel of this kind is often necessary for the purpose above, but 

 by commencing operations in this way, so much may ultimately be 

 saved. An improved excavator waggon, working on railways, could 

 be used to advantage, when a situation occurs of the kind just men- 



tioned. 



Separating Process. 



There are two properties of gold of which we may take advantage, 

 in separating it from the ore in which it is found. These are its su- 

 perior gravity and facility of amalgamation with mercury, and its re- 

 sistance to the action of antimony and heat ; and the acids cannot aid, 



