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the borax of commerce, so much used in all metallurgical operations as a flux for 

 the purification and smelting of metals and metallic ores. The capacity of this 

 district for the production of this mineral alone, is equal to eight hundred tuns 

 per annum. 



Considering the very few localities which furnish this useful agent in sufficient 

 quantities to make it an object for commercial purposes, this locality, in this State, 

 assumes an important position, and adds another to the many of our valuable 

 resources. The day is not far distant when this mineral will be found to form an 

 extensive article of export to foreign markets, and to compete with the produce of 

 Tuscany, China and Thibet, at present the three main sources of supply for the 

 world. It is found here in the form of bi-borate of soda, boracic acid, borate of 

 lime, and of magnesia. In addition to this, iodine and bromine occur at the same 

 locality. 



The springs which furnish these materials are abundant, and thus far have 

 proved highly efficacious as medicated waters, a great variety being found in the 

 immediate vicinity. Sulphurated hydrogen gas is found in some of these springs, 

 forming an active medicinal agent, in the form of sulphur springs, a few of which 

 are thermal. 



From all the springs heavy volumes of carbureted hydrogen is evolved, which 

 burns freely, and with a clear flame. This latter is furnished in sufficient quanti 

 ty to serve the purpose of evaporating the waters, for the manufacture of salt 

 and borax. 



The elimination of this inflammable gas in such large quantities, and the occur 

 rence of the coal-bearing rocks and occasional seams of coal a few miles to the 

 north is, to say the least, a strong inducement to believe that a bed of bituminous 

 coal underlies this entire section of the State. The evidences are sufficiently 

 strong to warrant an exploration to determine this point by boring. It is not 

 probable that a depth to exceed three hundred and fifty feet would be necessary 

 to determine the fact. 



MAMMOTH MINE SEVENTY-SIX, JAMISON CREEK. 



This mine is situated on Jamison Creek, in the County of Plumas. It was loca 

 ted and opened in 1851. The lode is heavy, and belongs to the primitive ranges, 

 situated near the eastern line of the State, and near the main ridge of the Sierra 

 Nevada. 



It is beyond doubt but a continuation of that line of lodes on which the Ariel 

 Mine is located in the County of Sierra, eighteen miles southward of Downieville, 

 on the south branch of the North Yuba, and also that of the National Mine, on 

 the ridge of South Fork of the Yuba, in the County of Nevada, the Copper Hill 

 and German Bar Mines lying intermediate, and between the Middle Yuba and 

 Downieville. 



In 1852 the company commenced work with a set of arastras, and have con 

 tinued with the same until the present year. During 1855 they have erected a 

 Chili Mill at an expense of $18,000, employing water as a motive, with a capacity 

 equal to thirty horse power. The expense of opening the mine, with the improve 

 ments prior to 1855, amounts in the aggregate to a little less than $10,000, mak 

 ing the cash capital invested equal to $28,000 at the present time. 



The present condition of the mine is as follows : A main shaft has been driven 

 near the center of the lode, to the depth of seventy feet, and ten feet in diameter, 

 occupying the power of the lode only ; an adit two hundred and sixty feet in 

 length cutting the vein thirty feet below the bottom of the main shaft, (the adit 

 is five feet by six feet,) which will deliver the ores from the mine with greater 



