PART 1.] 
Hughes . On raw materials. 
25 
There is no sulphuric acid, but there is an appreciable quantity of phosphoric acid. 
Ore hcematite. —I was rather surprised at the absence of carbonic acid, being under the 
impression that the above specimen was a carbonate of iron. It appears, however, to be a 
sesquioxide. The amount of iron it contains is 42 per cent., which makes it a valuable ore. 
The ironstones occur over an area of several square miles in thin beds varying in 
thickness from 2 to 8 inches, through a mass of carbonaceous shales, known geologically 
as the ironstone shale group. Mr. Blanford* estimates that they form about T yth of the 
whole group; and Mr. David Smithf considers that 6,400,000 tons per square mile will be 
the yield. My own measurements showed that the ironstones occurred in the proportion 
of 1 foot to 10 or 12 of shale, and taking the group as 1,000 feet (it is more than 
this), we have, roughly speaking, 200 millions of tons in every square mile. Assuming 
5 feet only as workable, I think the figures will be assuring enough to set at rest all mis¬ 
givings about quantity. 
Small dip. —The dip of the strata with which the ironstones are associated is every¬ 
where small in the neighbourhood of the Barakar; and the contour of the surface is such 
that the conditions for mining by open work are all highly favourable. No difficulty can be 
experienced in winning the ore at a reasonable price. 
Magnetic iron. —The advantage to be derived from mixing different varieties of ore is 
well known. Some very rich deposits of magnetic iron-ore are described by Mr. BlanfordJ 
as associated with metamorphic quartzites just beyond the boundary of the field near the 
village of Tituri, about two miles west of Beharinath hill. The ore occurs interlaminated 
with the quartzite aud gneiss in bands varying in thickness from 3 inches to 2 feet. They 
are very pure, and contain from 60 to 70 per cent, of iron. Research may bring to light 
other similar deposits; but there is little probability of such a thing happening, as the natives 
are usually aware of the iron-ores that occur in their own district, and if any had existed, 
information about them could hardly have escaped the frequent inquiries that have been made. 
The main dependence of any iron works must be upon the iron-ores of the coal 
measures. 
Flux. —As I have not been called upon to compile a treatise upon the manufacture of 
iron, I need not explain why the necessity for a flux exists. Many minerals might be used 
as fluxes, but in practice we are limited to a few, namely, limestone, clay, and silica. For 
such ores as occur in the Raniganj field, limestone is most required; and limestone that is 
nearly pure has hitherto been considered as indispensable. 
Impure limestone sometimes preferable. —In some instances, however, as in the case 
of the Kulti ore, the analysis of which has been given above, a limestone containing some 
clay would be preferable. Impure limestone indeed is often advantageous, but its applica¬ 
bility depends upon the suitability of its own impurities to combine with those of the 
iron-ore. 
In kunkur we have an impure limestone, containing from 70 per cent, downwards of 
carbonate of lime, and a varying proportion of free silica, clay, magnesia, iron and water. 
It would make in some instauoes a most economical flux if the amount of carbonate of 
lime in it were somewhat greater than it is. Kunkur, as a rule, however, rarely contains 
more than 60 to 65 per cent, of carbonate of lime, which leaves a large amount of impurity, 
out of which some is probably not required, and therefore it subtracts from the working value 
of the kunkur. 
* Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, 1861, Vol. Ill, Art. 1, page 70. 
t Mr. David Smith’s report on the coal and iron districts of Bengal, 1856, page 6. 
t Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, 1861, Vol. Ill, Art. 1, page 193. 
