52 



PROBABLE FUTURE MINERAL PRODUCTION. 



As to the probable mineral production in tlie nearest future, it seems under 

 present circumstances most likely, that the production of gold and silver from 

 the government mines will decrease on account of au inferior output from Ikuno r 

 (*) until the new establishments in Innai can commence operations. The 

 ■copper-production will. remain nearly stationary, until the reorganisation of the 

 Ani mines enables to obtain an increased output. 



The iron-production may be predicted to increase considerably, as soon as 

 the new works are set going. 



As Miike has lately been furnished with r.ew machinery, it may be assumed 

 that the production of coal will increase, provided Takashima is successfully 

 protected against fire from spontaneous ignition of the coals. Goal -production 

 from the new coal-fields of Yesso cannot be expected in the next future. 



Finally, not to omit two products, which more or less come under the min- 

 ing industry, petroleum and sulphuric acid, the production of the former has no 

 prospect of any considerable increase. The wells may, as long as they are 

 worked by private owners at small expense, yield a profit, but it would scarcely 

 pay for the government to take them in hand and work them energetically. 



The production of sulphuric acid, the export of which — exclusively to China, 

 in 1878 amounted to 1,324,456 catties, will probably flourish as long as China 

 does not establish works of her own ; there is no prospect of a large consunp- 

 tion within the country, until either the discovery of rock-salt-deposits makes 

 it possible to establish a soda-industry, that can compete with foreign manu- 

 factories, or the discovery of phosphorite-deposits offers the materials requisite 

 for the manufactory of mineral manure. 



(*) In Mikobata, four ris from the present mine, silver-ores have recently been discovered and 

 further explorations are proceeded with. 



