VIEW OF THE TIN MINES ON BANKA, 
801 
suits. They assert that an opportunity remains for opening 1 a new 
mine a few miles to the eastward of their village. 
The present annual produce of Belinyu, rarely exceeds 600 In¬ 
gots : what may reasonably he expected from about 30 miners that 
are now unemployed will be enumerated in the general table. 
In the district of Lumut, three large mines are worked, namely 
Ildpsun, Lukuntouw and Keighivdd : they are of less extent than the 
large or Kolong mines of the other districts, and are undertaken by 
one chief miner, (Kongsy) who engages so many assistants as his 
works require. The mine of Hapsun employs at present 4 work¬ 
men ; that of Lakuntouw 7 and that of Keighwad 5. 
The remarks on the declining state of the mines of Belinyu ap¬ 
ply equally to this district, and several of the mines formerly work¬ 
ed have been exhausted. According to a statement which was made 
up from the books of the chief, the annual produce during the last 
20 years did on an average not much exceed 400 Ingots. 
Through the extensive district of Sungie-liat 20 mines are dis¬ 
persed of which 2 only are large mines: they will generally be enu¬ 
merated in the table. The mines of this district were first opened 
by the family of the Chinese Assing above mentioned. His son De- 
mang Dyaya Laxana obtained from the Sultan the privilege of work¬ 
ing them about 40 years ago. Since this period the most favour¬ 
able and productive situations have been successively exhausted and 
the produce has gradually decreased. The average number of In¬ 
gots which may be expected annually from these mines collectively 
at present is 2600 ; this calculation supposes that the district of Je- 
niang, which lias been less worked than other parts, is carefully ad¬ 
ministered, and that a large mine lately opened near the stockade will 
answer the expectations that have been formed of it. 
In the district of M&rdwdng 15 mines are worked, of which 2 are 
large mines. One employs 10 workmen and produces on an average 
300 Ingots annually, the other was formerly neglected in consequence 
of bad management. Thirty miners have lately united to work it 
again, and have made some progress: the investigations that have 
been made indicate a store of ore, and the increase of the annual 
produce of Marawang will depend, in a great measure, on this mine. 
Of the small mines 6 are in a favourable state and according to mo¬ 
derate calculation will yield annually 800 Ingots; the others are 
nearly exhausted or want the necessary supply of water. I have es¬ 
timated the annual produce of this district at 1500 Ingots. 
