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works completely destroyed. The Pengaron coal mine, 
also in the neighbourhood of Martapura, was commenced 
in 1848, but did not average a larger annual output 
than about 6000 tons, and was abandoned in 1884, as 
was also the neighbouring Asahan mine, which had been 
working fourteen years with much the same results. A 
mine was also worked in Koti, abandoned, and once 
more reopened in 1886. In Sarawak the Baja opened 
a mine on a tributary of the Sadong river in 1880, the 
prospects of which are promising, nearly 50,000 tons 
having been raised in 1886. He also purchased, two 
years later, a concession for the working of the seams at 
the mouth of the Brunei river. On the island of Labuan 
is a mine, till lately abandoned, which has caused the 
failure of three or more companies, but is now being 
successfully worked; while in Pulo Laut, the large island 
at the south-east point of Borneo, about 5000 tons are 
yearly raised by the natives and supplied to Dutch 
steamers. There is little doubt that petroleum, which 
has been found in many places, will eventually become a 
workable and most valuable product. 
Antimony is known both from South and West Borneo, 
but it is only worked in Sarawak territory, chiefly near 
Bidi. The average amount of ore raised is about 1500 
tons annually, but the output seems of late to have 
fallen off. Mercury, too, occurs in the upper basin of 
the Sarawak river, existing as cinnabar, and it is mined 
to an annual value of from £30,000 to £100,000. 
Platinum occurs, and is obtained in small quantities as a 
by-product in gold-washing. Lead, tin, zinc, arsenic, 
copper, and iron have been found in various parts of the 
island, but none are worked, with the exception of iron, 
from which the natives make excellent krisses and 
parangs. A rich vein of silver was discovered in Sarawak 
