862 



KEPOET — 1887. 



made to evideuces still existing of tlie richer veins of ore having been worked 

 by the ancients. 



The position of the deposits generally at or near the tops of hills, and their dis- 

 tribution in six principal sub-districts or mining gi-onps, is described, and the lead- 

 ing geological features alluded to. The ore obtained is of four kinds, viz., Rubio 

 (hydrated ferric oxide), Campanil (the same but less fully hydrated), Vena (ditto 

 ditto), and Spathic (or ferrous carbonate). The first-named greatly preponderates 

 over the other three. The origin of the deposits is aqueous. The author here 

 discusses at considerable length the question of how they may have been formed, 

 basing his views on the known action of water containing carbonic acid upon iron 

 and its oxides, and referring to evidence afforded by strong chalybeate springs at the 

 present day. The value of the Bilbao ores for smelting purposes is then considered , 

 in comparison with the ores of Cumberland and the Forest of Dean. Rubio and 

 Campanil differ from each other mainly in that the impurities in the former are of 

 a siliceous, and in the latter of a calcareous nature. Vena ore is very similar in 

 ■character to Cumberland red hematites. The best Forest of Dean ore appears to 

 be equal or superior to that of Bilbao, but it is unfortunately scarce, and expensive 

 to work. Spathic ore, if calcined, is likely to be of great value in the future. 



The Spanish laws and customs in regard to concessions and the royalties payable 

 are then dealt with, and the mining industry in the past is said to have been much 

 impeded by the too great ease with which mere adventurers have been able to secure 

 possession without being obliged to work them. The marvellous development of 

 the district in recent years has been mainly due to foreign capital, enterprise, and 

 energj'. Particulars are given of the principal foreigir mine-owning companies. 



The mining properties are defined by imaginary lines with boundary stones at 

 the intersections. They are worked rather as quarries than as mines, as that term 

 is usually understood, there being no winding or pumping shafts, no water adits, and 

 no pumps. The hills containing mineral are gradually cut away in le\-els or steps. 

 Tunnels are sometimes driven in at the level of the floor nf the deposit, as far as 

 the working face, then a shaft down to it, and side entrances. The ore is poured 

 down the shaft and loaded up into wagons in the tunnel. In quarrying, holes are 

 driven into the working faces with a succession of jumpers, to a depth of 30 feet. 

 A small charge is exploded at the end to form a chamber, into which a large charge 

 is then introduced and afterwards fired. Two or three thousand tons are often 

 brought down in a single blast, and then broken up vnth wedges, hammers, and 

 crowbars. The impurities being separated, the good mineral is loaded into 

 incline wagons, aerial tramway tubs, or bullock carts, as the case may be. The 

 quarry work is usually lot to a Spanish contractor. He employs his own labour, 

 and does the work at from Is. to 2.?. per ton. The wages paid vary from '2s. 6d. to 

 3«. 4d. per day for drillers, l.«. 6(7. to 2s. Gd. for labourers and loaders, and l-s. to 

 1.?. 6d. for women and boys. 



The working hours are much longer, on an average, than in England, and in 

 summer reach seventy-two hours per week, excluding meal times and rests. 



The following table makes comparison between the hours and earnings of the 

 Bilbao and Cleveland miners in the summer of 1886 : — 



To -ndn a ton of ore in Cleveland costs more than twice as much for labour as a 

 ton of ore at Bilbao. But to obtain a ton of metallic iron in the condition of ore 



