816 
SKETCH OF THE PROCESS OF MINING 
is elevated by the blast of the furnace and lost, hence the ore is al¬ 
ways moistened before smelting : if the particles are coarse they are 
fused with greater difficulty. The quality of the coals likewise influen¬ 
ces the process : this depends in a great degree on the wood from which 
they are prepared ; the best kinds will be pointed out in another place. 
The quantity of ore for one night’s operation is determined by a 
Chinese measure called sap. One of these contains 44 catties 
or 58^ lbs. Troy: ninety measures are generally smelted in one. 
night and yield, on an average, 44 or 45 Ingots. About 7 o’clock in 
the morning the work is generally finished. 
This process answers at once the purpose of roasting and of fus¬ 
ing the ore : in many parts of Banka, especially at the large mines 
of Jehus and Kl&bbet, it is conducted with much method and regu¬ 
larity, and the frequent repetition has given a facility to the work¬ 
men : both the furnaces and ventilators appear, in my opinion, well 
adapted to the purpose ; while the large timbers can be obtained the 
ventilator described will probably remain in use; its construction is 
expensive and difficult, but it is durable in proportion, and little ex¬ 
posed to accident 
All the operations hitherto described, connected with the process 
of mining and the refining of the metal, are performed almost ex¬ 
clusively by Chinese. The miners, in general, live dispersed through 
mining districts in the vicinity of the mines, at a greater or less dis¬ 
tance from the fixed establishments or dwellings of the superinten- 
dants or Kongsies. Besides those persons who are engaged in col¬ 
lecting the ore, various others are connected with the business of 
the mines, or gain a living from the miners. These live together in 
a separate village near the chief. Besides Gardeners, Fishermen, 
Tradesmen, Shopkeepers &c., various artificers are here met with 
who are indispensable in the process, such as Carpenters, Black¬ 
smiths, Coalburners, and smelters &e. These, during the former 
administration were supported on a footing somewhat similar to 
the miners; they took advances in money and necessaries and incur¬ 
red a debt, the amount of which was deducted from their pay or from 
the articles they furnished. 
Each village also contains a privileged Gambling house, which af¬ 
forded some revenue to the chief who administered the mine. Gambling 
being almost the only amusement followed by the miners during the 
intervals of their labour, it was perhaps too much encouraged by the 
former administration. 
