2 HATCH : THE KOLAR GOLD-FIELD. 



to the Gold Districts of Rhodesia in South Africa. There, as here, 

 the gold occurs in "chutes/' of comparatively limited extent, in 

 veins of dark-coloured quartz and are confined to belts of hornblende 

 schist occurring in an area of ancient gneisses and granites ; and 

 there, as here, present mining operations have been invariably started 

 on the site of the ancient excavations and piles of debris known as 

 " old workings." 1 



Since the commencement of modern mining the Kolar gold-field 

 has enjoyed, after the difficulties usually associated with the starting 

 of new mining enterprizes were once overcome, a steady growth and 

 development. It has produced, during the period that has elapsed 

 since that date, gold to the value of 1 1| millions sterling, and has paid 

 dividends amounting to close on 5 millions. 



In the following report, which I have undertaken at the request of 

 the Government of India, my endeavour has been to present as 

 accurate a picture as possible of the present development of the 

 field and to indicate along what lines further progress may be ex- 

 pected. 



Without the assistance of others I could have accomplished little, 

 and I have great pleasure, firstly, in acknowledging the courtesy with 

 which Messrs. John Taylor & Sons, the London Managers of the 

 great majority of the Kolar properties, have afforded me access to the 

 mines and works under their control ; secondly, in thanking the Super- 

 intendents, Engineers and other Officers of the mines for their many 

 friendly services. Especially must I mention in this connection the 

 following names : — Mr. R. Bullen, Superintendent of the Ooregum 

 Mine, Mr. R. Hancock, Superintendent of the Mysore Mine, Mr. F. 

 Hosking, Chief Engineer of the Mysore Mine, Mr. H. A. Leslie, 

 Cyanide Chemist to the Mysore Mine, Mr. T. E. Piercy, Chief Engi- 

 neer of the Champion Reef Mine, Mr. T. Richards, Superintendent of 



1 The striking resemblance described above, taken in conjunction with the 

 intimate geological connection known to exist between South Africa and Southern 

 India, makes it seem likely that a correlation may be established between the 

 ancient granite-gneisses with their gold-bearing schist belts of Rhodesia, and the 

 gneissose rocks and associated Dharwar beds of Mysore. 



