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Not only are the silver and gold deposits of Bolivia abundant and rich, but in no part of the world, with the possible exception of California, do they find a wider distribution than here; and yet present conditions are not favorable to their cheap exploitation. The time is not far distant, however, when all this will be changed, and from the Bolivian cordillera, will be secured an enormous increase of the world's annual production of the precious metals.

It is apparent to the most casual observer that the country is slowly but certainly awakening to the great possibilities of its mines, and that the investment of foreign capital in this field is steadily increasing, while vastly better facilities for mining the ores and extracting the metal are being supplied in certain of its mining centers.

Mr. Arthur F. Wendte, of New York, as constructing engineer of the Real Socavon de Potosi, an English company, recently completed the construction of a large amalgamation plant for that company, and is now building a 100-stamp mill and smelter at Antofagasta for the Huanchaca Company, while important improvements are projected in a few other districts.

The matters of first consideration, however, in the problem of