236 , Mining System. 



been found almost impossible, to introduce the improved methods and 

 machines of Europe. Some of the obstacles are, 



1. The difficulty and expense of transportation of all the materials 

 for labor and subsistence, which have often to be brought from great 

 distances. 



2. The frequent deficiency of water for machinery, of timber for 

 supports, &c. in the mine, and of combustibles for roasting and smelt- 

 ing the ores, and for supplying steam engines. 



3. The difficulty of employing large capital, advantageously, in mi- 

 ning operations, for its employment in those sparsely populated coun- 

 tries, creates such a demand for labor, materials, and subsistence, as 

 to raise them far above their ordinary value, and thus to absorb all 



the profits. 



4. The prejudice of the persons concerned and employed, against 

 any change from the ordinary routine, is not the least obstacle to the 

 introduction of improved methods. While the mines of South Amer- 

 ica were still under the control of Spain, efforts were made to intro- 

 duce improvements, by sending out the most distinguished metallurgists 

 of Europe, but even royal authority, was insufficient to make any im- 

 portant change in the metallurgic operations. 



The principle upon which the mining system is conducted, is the 

 same in all countries, where the government has no direct control, 

 viz. to draw the greatest present benefit, without regarding the future. 



The metals are of national importance, and a mine once exhaust- 

 ed, is not renewed ; therefore, it is desirable, that the ores should be 

 so wrought, that there may be no waste, that the shafts and galleries 

 should be properly secured, and all parts of the work conducted on 

 the most approved principles. % 



To effect these objects, to afford all the necessary information to in- 

 dividuals working mines, and to make known to the government, the 

 mineral resources of the country, France has her corps of Mining 

 Engineers* 



Many other governments, exercise such a control over mining op- 

 erations, as to render them permanently useful to the country. 



Where the conducting of mines, is left altogether to individual en- 

 terprise, only those ores of any particular metal found in a mine, 

 which will yield a handsome profit, are wrought, and all the others 

 are thrown away as useless. A proper mixture of the rich with the 

 poorer ores, although the profit will be less than with the rich ores 

 alone, will yield a moderate and long continued one, by which the 



