ECONOMIC EESOURCES : COAL. 295 



nummulitic beds at the Bakh ravine^ as well as the occurrence of the 

 haematitic zone near that place (and further westward) j would indicate 

 the continuance of the same characteristics at the base of this series. 



In very many, or perhaps in most cases, the debris at the foot of the 

 nummulitic limestone cliffs conceals everything- just below it, but several 

 sections, g-iven in the foregoing- pages, will show the local absence of these 

 coaly shales, or else that their importance and coal-bearing character is 

 locally diminished. The frequency of their occurrence and the larger 

 development of the coal layers towards the eastern parts of the range, 

 render it very probable that if it were ever worth while to institute trials, 

 the coal would be found in many places now concealed over that country. 

 The fact, however, should be borne in mind, that the soft shaly nature 

 of the associated rocks and the occurrence of the hard nummulitic lime- 

 stone, more or less nearly horizontally extended over the coal-bearing- beds, 

 would always present much difficulty in carrying on mining operations. 



From Dr. Oldham^s memorandum (being a report to Government) 

 the following particulars are abstracted to supplement those already 

 embodied in this Memoir : — 



Bhaganioalla. — Extent of coal along outcrop, two miles; thickness, three feet six 

 inches. Coal greatly cracked and jointed ; when exposed to the atmosphere, disintegrates 

 and falls to pieces. Crystals and flakes of gypsum common in fissures of coal, and iron 

 pyrites, which, decomposing, gives rise to spontaneous ignition of the coal. Much care 

 needed, if the place (or any of the Salt Range coal) be worked, to keep galleries quite clear 

 of dust and small coal. Good masses of bright coal can be obtained from this place, to 

 work which, successive galleries would be required, one over the other. Locality inaccessible, 

 but improvable in this respect. 



2. Keora {Khewra). — Above the gorge, coal poor, full of iron pyrites, and with layers 

 and irregular masses of clay interbedded. Thickness two feet eleven inches. Coal divided 

 into two by a layer of shale. 



3. Pid. — On side of hiU facing the south. Dip to north, 60° or 64° : thickness of coal, 

 three feet when pure. Good bright fuel ; falls into fragments after exposure to the air. Not 

 quite so much pyrites here as in other places. Locality close to a good road and easily 

 accessible ; probably a fair amount of good fuel here j a thick covering of debris prevents 

 its being traced. 



4. Baudot (No. 1). — Coal seen on edge of a fault or slip; coal two feet six inches • 

 only a small fallen mass of rock and coal, useless as a permanent source of fuel. 



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