215 FERMOR: GEOLOGY AND COAL RESOURCES OF KOREA, C. P. 
This series of seams (horizon 4) appears to thin out rapidly in 
all directions, but, even so, there is j^ossibly 1 to 1| square miles, 
or even 2 square miles, over which the coal is at least 10 feet 
thick ; this thickness corresponds to 10-9 million tons coal per 
square mile. It is considered extremely probable that at least 7 
million tons of good coal are available, with the possibility of 20 to 
30 million tons. In this field dips are very low — practically 
horizontal as a rule. There is also a possibility of workable coal 
in horizon 5 in Bartunga Hill. 
In both fields small faults (probably not very numerous) will 
probably be discovered, whilst the seams will at times be found 
to vary greatly in thickness in a short distance. The seams 
usually have a sandstone roof, which is massive, and, though 
rather friable, will piobably be found to be fairly sound. But 
it is possible that the master-joints already referred to (p. 178) may 
cause a tendency to subsidences. Water is likely to be abundant 
in many places, and a considerable expenditure on pumping will 
doubtless be necessary. 
As for labour, it should be good, for the inhabitants are largely 
aboriginals — Gonds, Rajwars, etc. — and accustomed to hard work 
in the shape of carrying heavy loads slung across their shoulders 
by means of hhangis. The population is small — only 62,107 in 
1911, or 38 persons per square mile, according to the Gazetteer. 
But the State affords them at present very little occupation, 
cultivation being scanty, and it is likely that sufficient labour will 
be obtainable for any moderate enterprise. 
At present Korea State is in a primitive condition, on account 
of its isolation from more civilised parts, and the old-fashioned 
scale of prices still prevails. Foodstuffs are very cheap, rice being 
(February 1913) 25 seers and milk 20 seers to the rupee, for 
instance, against prices of 10 seers of rice and 8 seers of milk 
to the rupee, even such a short way off as Pendra Road Railway 
Station. The consequence is that labour is exceedingly cheap, 
1 anna a day being the nominal coolie wage. 
But once coal-mining operations begin, higher rates will prevail. 
For without a railway the coal cannot be profitably worked, and 
a railway will speedily put Korea into market communication 
with the rest of India. Coolie wages will probably begin at 2 
annas a day, and as the prices of foodstuffs adjust themselves 
to those of more accessible parts, wages will rise to 3 annas, and 
