26 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. [vol. vn. 
Some specimens which I obtained in the Raniganj field contain the following quantities 
of carbonate of lime:— 
Sanktoria ... ... ... — 66' 12 per cent. 
Ramnagar,,, ... ... ... 64‘98 „ 
Barmuri ... ... ... ... 61'00 „ 
Mr. Tween has not been able to make a full analysis as yet of all the samples that 
have been sent in for examination, and without such analysis, it is impossible to estimate 
what proportion theoretically the kunkur should bear to fuel and ore, in order to produce 
a suitable slag. 
Well fused slag and dean button. —I have, however, carried out some assays at the Mint; 
and the result is, that with equal quantities of kunkur and ore, and using wood charcoal or 
coke, I obtained a well fused slag and a moderately clean button of iron. I have not made 
the number and varieties of assays that I should like to, owing to the necessity of sending 
in a report at an early date ; but the possibility has been demonstrated of using kunkur as 
a flux on a small scale. 
The assays were performed in unlined plumbago crucibles. My first experiment was 
unsuccessful, as I could not get up heat enough in the small table gas furnace which Colonel 
Hyde placed at my disposal. My after attempts with the use of coke in a wind furnace 
were more fortunate. 
No. 1. Ore ... 
... 100 grains (Kulti ironstone containing by 
wet assay 42 per cent. iron). 
Kunkur 
... 100 „ (Ramnagar kunkur containing 
65 per cent, carbonate of lime). 
Charcoal 
,30 „ (Wood charcoal). 
Percentage of iron 45'0; slag perfectly fused, grey. Button of iron, dark-grey, crystalline. 
broke rather readily under hammer. 
Two or three sorts of metal embedded in the slag. 
From the appearance of the iron, the ore will probably reduce easily. 
No. 2. Ore ... 
... 150 grains. 
Kunkur 
150 „ 
Charcoal 
40 „ 
Percentage of iron 44'7; like all dry assays, the percentage of iron is shown to be greater 
than it actually is. Slag, greyish-green, a few beads of iron adhering to outer surface. But¬ 
ton, dark-grey on fractured face. Does not split at first blow, but flattens somewhat. 
No. 3 Ore 
... 100 grains. 
Kunkur 
100 „ 
Coke ... 
... 30 „ (coke from Calcutta gas works). 
This was put into a smith’s 
fire, and the slag was not perfectly fused. It had a light 
green colour.- Numberless shots of 
iron at bottom of slag. Fractured surface of button, white. 
No. 4. Ore 
... 100 grains. 
Kunkur 
100 „ 
Coke ... 
... 30 „ (coke from Calcutta gas works). 
Slag, light grey, semi-translucent. 
Button on fractured face, white, compact. 
No. 5. Ore ... 
... 150 grains. 
Kunkur 
150 „ 
Coke ... 
... 40 „ (coke from unwashed Sanktoria 
coal-dust). 
