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Reference :-
882
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Probable yearly yield
for tin in "Larnt.
Estimated yearly
average value of tin.
Extent of tin-bearing
land,
Tin washed down from the hills
Great abundanes of tin in Larut.
Process of tin mining.
Waterwheel.
Stratum containing
ors.
Water reached.
Chain pump for emptying the mine, ko., ka.
Water carried out o
the mire.
102
52. These ninety mines may be reasonably expected to produce, at the lowest average, 50 piculs per mensem, which will give a total of 4,500 piculs; this, added to the quantity produced monthly by the thirty old mines, at their above-mentioned average of 70 piculs each, viz., 2,100 piculs, gives a total of 6,600 per mensem from 120 mines.
Thu
30 mines at 70 piculs
90
at 50
Total
120
D
produce monthly
נון
Yearly amount from 120 mines
Value at 20 dollars per picul
•
=
Picula
2,100
4,500
6,600
12
79,200
20
1,584,000
53. This is a fair estimate of the average value of tin that will be produced yearly in Larut. (Vide Appendix J.)
54. The whole of the land lying along the base of the Larut ranges is more or less stanniferous. This strip is in length about fifty miles, with an average breadth of six.
55. Tin sand is also brought down to the plains by numerous mountain streams, showing beyond doubt (as also does that already alluded to, which is found in pockets in the hills) that this mineral lies in the mountain ranges in no inconsiderable quantities; yet up to the present, I regret to say that, with but one or two exceptions, no attempt has been made to trace the ore to its bed, and unveil the locality where the mineral lies hidden. Without romancing, it may fairly be said that the tin of Larut appears to be well nigh inexhaustible; at any rate, there is no prospect of its failing (were it to be much more extensively worked than it is at present) within the period of many generations yet to come. Prospecting parties, both of Malays and Chinese, have sunk pits and dug trenches at intervals not only along the base of the hills, but throughout the country in all direc- tions, and almost invariably have found the sand which contains the metal.
56. The process of tin-mining in Larut is very simple. The mine is simply an exca- vation made in the form of a square, averaging an acre in extent, and penetrating perpen- dicularly to the strata containing the tin.
This is generally found in the plains, at a depth of from 20 to 50 feet, though at the foot of the hills it lies within 6 feet of the surface.
57. With the exception of a simple but ingeniously contrived water-wheel, no machinery is used in the mine.
58. The reef or stratum containing the ore, "Kah Sab," runs always horizontally, and the mine is extended in the direction of the stratum until the ore is worked out. As soon as a spot is selected for a mine, the jungle is cleared and the mine traced out; a ditch is then dug from the nearest stream, partly to remove the superfluous soil, and partly to make a channel for the motive power by which the wheel is worked.
59. When the excavation bas reached the depth of about six feet, water begins to ooze up from the ground, and thus the workmen are retarded.
60. To remove this water, and also to render the water from the hills available for washing the tin, a chain pump, called "Chin Chia is made, which may be thus described :-
A long wooden trough composed of three planks, each 100 feet in length, is placed in an oblique position across the mine, one end resting on the edge of the bank, and the other at the lowest part of the mine.
A wooden chain with small oblong pieces of wood placed at right angles to the line, is fitted accurately into the above-named trough. The wooden chain is endless, and is passed round two wheels, a small one at the lower end of the trough, and a larger one at the upper end. This latter is a water-wheel, and is turned by a constant stream flowing over it. Round the axle of this wheel are cogs, each of which in turn, as the wheel revolves, draws up a joint of the endless chain through the trough, and as each joint fits accurately into the trough, they bring up in succession a quantity of water, which, on reaching the mouth of the trough, falls into the channel by which the water which turns the wheel is carried off, and is thus also taken away out of the mine and conducted to the next, where the process is repeated.
The small wheel at the lower end of the trough regulates the chain, and guides the wooden joints into the trough, causing each to take up in succession its quantum of water; and by this means the mine is emptied.
}
103
native mode of
61. The great drawback to this primitive method of working the mines is that the Drawback to the miners are wholly dependent on the rivers or streams of the country for their water supply, working the mines. and in a dry season a certain number of the miners would inevitably be thrown out of employ; whereas, were steam pumps used by which the water taken out of the mines could itself be applied for the purpose of washing the tin, there would be always an unfailing and sufficient supply.
62. Were this system to be adopted, as many mines as were desired could be opened, Essam pumpe and the revenue of Larut would be very considerably increased; whereas, I regret to say, required. that, owing to the present want of water, I have been obliged to refuse numerous applica- tions for opening mines.
63. If European capitalists could be induced to send steam pumps into the country, Profliable investmendes the speculation would without doubt meet with an ample return for their outlay.
for Europeana.
64. The tools which the Chinese use for the manual labour of the mines, are, in Chine tools. comparison with those of the English labourers, inefficient in the extreme. Instead of the English navvy's pick, shovel, and barrow, a commou hoe, and small flat cane basket not holding above 4 lbs. of earth, are the only implements known to the Chinese coolie.
65. The coolies at work in the mines are divided into two gangs, one of which use the Division of inbour. hoes to scratch up the soil and shovel it into the baskets, the other men take up the baskets and fling away the earth; this is done in regular order. On a pair of baskets being filled, they are placed one at each end of a stout stick, called a Kandar, prepared with grooves for the purpose, which is balanced on a man's shoulder, and the baskets having been carried away and emptied, they are brought back and refilled.
66. The stratum which contains the tin ore is a whitish clay, called Te Kang. When Clay containing tin
this is reached, it is brought up in baskets in the manner above described, and piled in heaps near the water-race.
mad.
67. As soon as a sufficient quantity is obtained, the ore is separated from the clay by Mode of washing tim being washed in an open trough, two feet broad, about thirty long, and one high. This is placed on an incline of about 25°.
*
Small bars of wood, about three inches in height, are nailed to the bottom of the trough from side to side: water is then allowed to run down the trough, and the ore sand is flung in at the upper end.
The sand is then raked, and this being lighter than the ore, is carried away by the water; but the ore, which is heavy, lodges at each of the divisional bars, and is thus preserved. As soon as the ore equals the height of the bars, the water is shut off, and the ore removed.
68. The next process is that of smelting. The ore, on being carried into the furnace- Balting. shed, is placed in large tubs.
The furnace is generally 7 feet high and 4 to 5 feet square. A large hollow in the Fam centre acts as the crucible, and is of the shape of an inverted cone, in depth 2 feet, with the breadth at the top about 18 inches. A small passage connects the bottom of the crucible with the grate in front.
69. A peculiar but ingenious description of bellows is used. These are made from Ballews. the trunk of a tree hollowed out, but closed at each end, and are about 18 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. A long pole with a circular piece of wood at one end, fitting exactly into the bore of the tube, acts as a piston. In order to secure the tube being perfectly air-tight, the end of the piston is well padded with feathers. Valves are placed at each end to allow the air to enter, and in the centre the nozzle of the bellows communicates with the furnace by means of a small air passage.
On the piston being drawn out, the air in the higher portion of the tube is forced down the nozzle, and on being drawn back the air in the further part of the tube is similarly driven in towards the furnace; thus a continual blast of air is kept up on the charcoal, which is placed in layers, alternately with the tin ore, until the crucible is full The fire is applied from below, and the whole mass is soon in a white heat.
70. As soon as the tin in the bottom of the crucible begins to melt it runs in drops Crucis. into the grate, where a hollow is prepared to receive it; as it leaves the crucible it is replaced by fresh layers of tin, and thus a constant supply is kept up during the whole time of smelting. About 10 feet from the hollow in the ground which receives the melted tin, moulds are placed into which it is immediately ladled.
71. These moulds are in the shape of large ingots, and the slabs of tin made in them Baking. weigh on an average 50 catties, each equal to 66 lbs. The form is oblong 14 inches in length, 4 inches in breadth, and 6 inches in depth.
72. It has been asserted that specimens of copper ore have been found in the Copper, silver. land- mountain ranges of Larut, and also bromide, and sulphide of silver. The natives also
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