Art. XV. — Electric Lighting for Mines. 

 By Mr. R. E. Joseph. 



[Read 11th October, 1883.] 



Having for some months past been engaged in arranging 

 several appliances for the electric illumination of our gold 

 mines, I have made a few notes on the matter which I hope 

 may be of interest. 



Although at first sight the work of lighting a mine and 

 its workings, both above and below, may appear to be a 

 comparatively easy matter, a careful examination as to the 

 conditions required for its successful maintenance in working 

 order will show that it is not so, and that a system which 

 would prove satisfactory in ordinary places might be 

 extremely unsuitable for mining purposes. 



Most of our mines require artificial light on the surface- 

 works all night, and for the underground workings both day 

 and night each week, with scarcely any cessation. The sur- 

 face-lights are used to illuminate the engine and boiler-house, 

 winding plant, changing house, smithy and brace, and, where 

 crushing plant exists, the battery house and its engine. 



Where gas has been available it has been used to a certain 

 extent for the above-named purposes, but as gas in all 

 country districts is high in price it forms a heavy item in 

 the working expenses, consequently we find that the general 

 illuminant used is oil, kerosene, and candles. Neither of 

 these agents gives a good light, and all of them have serious 

 disadvantages which should preclude their use except under 

 most exceptional circumstances. 



Oil and kerosene lamps require constant attention ; they 

 have to be trimmed and the oil renewed daily, and unless 

 provided with glass chimneys they smoke and are offensive ; if 

 chimneys be used, there is a constant breakage, and thereby 

 expense. Candles are, it is true, easily managed, but the 

 light they afford is too feeble for the purposes required on 

 the surface as fixed lights, consequently we see them carried 

 about from place to place, lighting up small areas as required, 

 with, as may be expected, the accompanying waste from the 

 draughts of air. But the most serious disadvantage arising 

 from the use of any of these agents is the danger of grease 

 mixing with the gold or any of the appliances belonging to 

 it, grease of any sort being a source of trouble, and causing a 



