Ch. 3: Precious Gem stones in 1905

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	1330 MINERAL RESOURCES. Mr. Burnet Adams, acting chief inspector of mines, tolls of stonily increase in the diamond output of the colony and describes the condition of the producing mines, besides the Vaal River alluvial diggings, and of more than fifty prospects and partially developed undertakings. In regard to these latter, many have proved disappointing, but some have yielded good diamonds and may prove to be valuable properties. The seven mines that have actually yielded more or less successfully are (1) the Xew Jagersfontein (the old celebrated mine reorganized under the new government) ; (2) the Koffyfontein: (3) the Ehenhaezer: (4) the Lace Diamond Company; (5) the Monastery; (6) the Kaalvallei: (7) the Xew Driekopjes. Of these, the last is now closed and for sale, and two or three of the others are partially suspended and either engaged in testing or in awaiting improved appliances. The Jagersfontein is much the most important and has been steadily advancing, both in equipment and in production. Heretofore it has been carried on as an open working, but steps are now being taken to change to the underground system, as was done with such success in the De Beers and Kitn-berley mines. The diamond output of the colony for the year covered by the report is given in a tabular form by months, from July. 1904. to June. 1905, inclusive. These show some variations, but maintain a fairly uniform average. The product is given as a whole, without distinguishing the mines, but the Jagersfontein far exceeds all the rest together.



	On comparing these figures with those of the De Beers group of mines at Kimberley for the same period, it is seen that the blue ground is comparatively very low in its diamond content, but that the average value of the stones per carat is considerably higher than for those of the richest of the other group— the De Beers and Kimberley. The total number of loads washed is nearly two-thirds that of nil the De Beers group together: while the total diamond product is less than one-sixth, but its value exceeds one-fifth. The average number of men employed in the diamond mines of the colony, mouth by month during 1905, was 326, whiles and 4,639 natives. With some fluctuations there has been a general increase of (he total number during the year, from 4.458 in July. 1904. to 3,496 in July 1905. The average monthly wages paid for mining and prospecting in the Orange River Colony are given in a recent article as £20 7s. 7d to white men and £20 1s. 6d to natives.^a BRAZIL Diamonds and carbonado in Bahia.—Considerable space has been given in recent reports of this Bureau to the diamond and carbonado industry of Brazil. An important article has appeared within the last year on the geology of the "Jewelers' Circular Weekly, October 11, 1905

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