1835.] Ajmir Copper Mines. 583 



"The Ajmir ore in mineralogical phraseology is ' termed a ferru- 

 genous red oxide of copper,' and being free from sulphur, two ope- 

 rations are sufficient to metallize it ; one smelting, and one refining. 

 The ore in Shekawati, as well as the principal ores worked in Corn- 

 wall and Wales, are sulphurets, copper pyrites. They require suc- 

 cessive calcinations, roastings, and smeltings ; eight separate processes 

 being essential to perfect metalisation. At the same time, that our 

 operations are conducted with celerity, and consequently at a compa- 

 ratively small outlay ; inasmuch, that the ore, on the third day after it has 

 been dug from the vein, is reduced to a metallic state, adapted for sale ; 

 (while in Europe calcination alone occupies several months,) the busi- 

 ness of smelting is wholly free from that noisomeness, so injurious to 

 health, which characterises works of this nature at home, when sul- 

 phur forms an ingredient in the chemical composition of the ore. 



" The first vein was opened near Gdgra, four miles N. N. East of 

 Ajmir. It runs north and south, and its breadth varies from a span 

 to four inches. It is situated on the plain, within one hundred and 

 fifty yards from the range of hills ; its greatest depth being sixty feet 

 from the surface. An admixture of ores from separate veins is essen- 

 tial to a complete fusion ; and with this intention, a vein was sought 

 and opened at Rdjgarh, twelve miles S. S. West of this. This vein, 

 also on the plain, but near the hills, is only twenty -five feet from the 

 surface, while a third has been opened, within the last fifteen days, 

 near Rajduri, ten miles south of Ajmir. The presence of copper 

 has been detected at other spots : indeed, it is beyoud doubt the whole 

 of the Ajmir valley is traversed by veins, which run from Kishen- 

 garh to Rdjgarh, a distance of thirty miles ; industry and capital 

 being the sole requisite to their complete development. In Corn- 

 wall, good veins are not met with, until attaining a depth of three 

 hundred feet and upwards. At present, our labours are confined 

 almost to the surface. The transmission of these specimens will, 

 I hope, prove so far useful, that should the Honorable the Governor 

 General be pleased to make them over for analyzation to some scien- 

 tific gentleman in Calcutta, their intrinsic value as ores will be ascer- 

 tained ; for though the studies of the laboratory be as widely different 

 in their issues from the labors of the furnace, as theory is from prac- 

 tice, still a favorable result in the former will be highly satisfactory, 

 and may at a future period warrant the establishment of the works on 

 a large scale. In exemplification of the observation in reference to 

 theory and practice, various specimens treated in the study yield from 

 twenty to eighty per cent., while the average produce of the mines in 

 Cornwall for some years past has ranged from eight and a quarter to 

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