798 
VIEW OF THE TIN MINES ON BANKA. 
native of China, Assiftg : he was the first person who introduced a 
regular mode of mining on Banka, The first mines were worked 
in the vicinity of the present village in various directions near the 
southern coast of the Island ; as the ground was exhausted, the miners 
gradi ally retired towards the interior. Two mines are at present 
worked in this district namely Meng~ geldm and Pdit JDouldng. 
The former employs 25 miners and is in an improving state ; the lat¬ 
ter has lately been opened by 13 workmen. 
At Pdldngds 24 Chinese are employed in one considerable mine. 
The mines of Tdmpeldng are under no regular discipline at pre¬ 
sent: they were formerly worked by Chinese and the causes which 
produced their desertion have been mentioned in the Geographical 
account. Some Tin is annually manufactured by the mountain 
people ; sufficient store of ore is still remaining to encourage the re¬ 
gular mode of mining followed by the Chinese. At least 25 miners 
of this nation might here be profitably employed. 
In the annexed table I have estimated the aggregate annual pro¬ 
duce of the mines of Rangam, Relo, Palangas and Tampel&ng very 
moderately at 600 Ingots: and after the mines have been carefully 
administered some time an increase of this number may be reasona¬ 
bly looked for. 
2. Mines of the northern Division. 
A. In the ivestern peninsula the mines are dispersed through 
the districts of Sungie-Bulu, M&mpang, Tengd and Ivlabbet. The 
most productive mines in this peninsula are those of Jehus situated in 
the district of Tenga. They were formerly called the mines of An- 
ten, from the name of the settlement or stockade where the chief 
resided and whither the product was conveyed. In consequence of 
the more favourable situation for the intercourse with Plembdng the 
establishment has been removed to Jehus, where a more regular 
stockade has been constructed. 
The miners of Jehus are divided, according to their situation, into 
those of the Upper and those of the Lower furnace. Of the former 
that of Sungie Tango (of the Chinese, Sungie Mentangor of the 
Natives ) is the most important. It employs 42 miners and the 
ground is very productive. Duiing the last season of smelting ( ia 
April &c. 1813), above 2000 Ingots were produced from the ore 
which had been collected in 15 preceding months. 
The mine of Suntdy employs 25 miners and has produced in the 
period just mentioned nearly 1000 Ingots. The principal mine of 
