1854.] and Mineral resources of the Bingliblioom Division. 107 



mineral is found, adding such information regarding their produc- 

 tion as appears likely to be serviceable. 



Gold. 



This metal is found in almost every river and stream in the 

 country. The apparent exceptions are those which flow almost 

 entirely over igneous rocks. I cannot learn that the metal is found 

 any where in the Khurkhy, and an attempt to extract it from the 

 sands of that river made under my direction failed. The sands of 

 the Eoro and its other tributaries were not known to contain it ; but 

 on examination a small quantity was extracted from the sands of the 

 Boro and Eleegara by people deputed for the purpose. 



I believe gold is found in most parts of the Sooburno Bekha, 

 from the point where it quits the gneiss formation, till it falls into 

 the Bay of Bengal. I know certainly that it is found so low as 

 Kamerara, on the boundary of Dholbhoom and Mohrbunje.* 



Gold is found on the surface of the soil at Arabhanga and other 

 places among the wild jungles of Sarunda ; in Anundpore, at Badea 

 in Dholbhoom close to the old copper diggings, and probably in 

 other places. There is a tradition of a mine in the jungles of Pora- 

 hat, from whence large quantities are said to have been formerly 

 extracted. This mine is stated to have been driven horizontally from 

 the bed of a nulla into a hill, it is now said to be completely choked 

 with rubbish. I have seen specimens of the gold from the stream 

 close by, which would lead to the belief that the original source 

 was not far off, the gold being often in short wiry threads, or in 

 little rings. All I had from this source I made over to Mr. 

 Bobinson when in this quarter, more is not procurable in the rains. f 



* An account of the process of gold- washing at Heera Khund on the Muha- 

 nuddee is given by the late Major Ouseley. Journ. Vol. 8, p. 1057— Eds. 



f Mr. Robinson's own account of his operations in this country is given in a 

 letter of his dated Rauchee, 20th December, 1849. The following are extracts 

 from it. 



H I now want to call your attention to another subject. Gold Mines — real 

 genuine gold mines. I enclose you the copies of the Official Papers about them, 

 and proceed to add my testimony on the subject, as also some aspirations. When I 



came up here last year, I went on with M to see the mines, visiting every 



place where they existed, and a most extraordinary sight it was — they are real 

 mines with shafts sunk down to them varying from twenty to sixty feet in depth, 



