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44 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
INCREASED DEMAND FOR MINING
MACHINERY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
The South African engineering correspondent of
the London Times, in a recent letter says:
"Now that the long lane of depression extending
throughout South Africa has been successfully
negotiated and an era of prosperity, probably
greater than any previously experienced, is practically
assured, a survey of the actual conditions
under which the British engineering industry is
carried on and the outlook will prove of interest.
The chief causes for the satisfactory improvement
in gold mining, which have at once been reflected
in the commercial section of the country
are, first, the restarting of the mines and the development,
of them, and second, the satisfactory
results of the experiment of importing Chinese
labor. Notwithstanding all the theoretical criticism,
mainly adverse, the practical proofs have
fully justified the step, for the increase of white
labor, due entirely to the addition of nearly 92,000
coolies, has represented 8.3 per cent, in about four
months. It is further estimated that the increase
will amount to 10 per cent, of the newly imported
unskilled labor.
"Nearly every mineral is found and worked in
various districts, but the principal are gold, coal,
copper and tin. Diamond mining has, of course,
always been a very valuable industry, and particularly
during the past year, when some extraordinarily
rich "finds" have been reported. The
gold output for 1904 amounted to £17.025,355
< $82,843,890), that of coal £883,891 ($4,301,456),
diamonds £1,185,083 ($5,767,206). The quantity
of explosives manufactured in South Africa represented
5.208 tons; that imported 1.514 tons, making
in all 6,722 tons. The amount spent by the
mines on stores and machinery was £9,000,000
($43,798,500). The output of one diamond mine,
viz.. the appropriately named Premier, was 749,-
653 1 /; carats, which produced a net gain of £607,-
738 ($2,975,570), or, roughly speaking, £1 ls. 6d.
($5.23) every minute of the past year.
"A prominent feature in mining gold. coal. tin.
etc., in South Africa has been the remarkable increase
in the demand for electrically-driven machinery.
Hauling, lifting, pumping and lighting
are fast being accomplished by its use. For lifting
purposes a motor of the 3-phase induction
type, working at a pressure of 500 volts, is a representative
one, and is capable of driving 125
horsepower. Where the depth is moderate 50horsepower
motors are frequently employed.
There is just now quite a craze among South
African mining engineers for the newest and best
electric plants for hauling and lifting purposes.
Pumping is gradually being performed by means
of electric power, the well known centrifugal
pumps being largely used. These are also driven
by steam, oil motors and turbines, and are a vital
necessity to many mines. For lighting purposes
a vast and ever-increasing supply of plant and
fittings are required.
"As a rule, this work is done nowadays by electricity,
on account of the handiness and con­
venience of the system, the motor being placed
wherever desired, as against the inconvenience and
loss of power occasioned by old-time methods.
Boring drills are an absolute necessity in every
class and description of mines, and afford a great
and remunerative field for the engineering section
chiefly devoted to their production. In addition
to power-driven drills, a large quantity of small
hand-power machines are in constant use, owing
to the fact that it frequently is an impossibility to
place in position one of the larger kind driven by
other than hand power. There are a good many
different types required, according to the geological
formation and conditions of working, and
manufacturers, in order to participate in this
trade, should be practically conversant with the
conditions governing each particular locality of
the great mining area.
"Although electricity has the principal share of
the burden to bear in connection with the working
of the mines, it must not be assumed that the older
and still very reliable and, one the whole, satisfactory
gas engine is played out. On the contrary,
quite a number of mine engineers and managers
favor the use—partial, at any rate—of such,
and only quite recently one of the leading mines
on the Rand ordered a complete gas-producing
plant for early shipment. The principal drawback
is. of course, the necessary supply of raw
material to produce the gas, which in certain districts
is somewhat scarce."
Testing Leasehold Tax Law.
At a special session of the West Virginia supreme
court of appeals on May 25, arguments were
made in the case brought to test the legality of the
recent law taxing leaseholds in that state. The
case, which is being pushed by coal interests, is
styled the Harvey Coal & Coke Co. vs C. W. Dillon.
state tax commissioner, and was brought in the
Fayette circuit court in which an injunction was
asked for to restrain the state tax commissioner
and his assessor from assessing leaseholds for
taxation. In the event the decision of the state
supreme court is against the appellants, it is
announced the case will be carried to the supreme
court of the United States.
The measure prepared by a committee of the
Illinois Coal Operators' Association, by request of
the association, and introduced into the legisla
ture authorizing the organization of a mutual
casualty insurance company, has passed both
houses of the general assembly.