Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 09.djvu/17

* GOLD. i Dr. Karl Peters ha.s described recently extensive mines in the interior of 8outh Africa, not far fi-oni the gold-fields of Kliodesia — a locality be- lieved by Dr. Peters to be the Ophir of the Israelites, The Romans oiierated mines in Hun- gary, Spain, and Great Britain at various periods. During the Middle Ages the mining in- dustry seems to have made little progress. It is estimated that the total stock of gold in Europe when America was discovered did not exceed $225,000,000. From this time on, however, there has been a gradual though not uninterrupted in- crease in production, as may be seen from the following table: WOBLD'S PROnnCTION OF Gold Since 1492 PEEIOD Annual averag-e Total tor period 1493-1620 . . $3,855,000 4,759,000 6.656,000 4,.-)46,000 4,905.000 6,662,000 6,616,000 6,828.000 6,1.54.000 7,1,54,000 8,520,000 12,681,000 16,356,000 13,761,000 11,823,000 9,711,000 11.466,000 84,845,000 120,691,000 158,140,000 $107,931,000 1521-1544 1545-1560 90,492.000 1561-1580 1581-1600 98 095 000 1601-1620 1621-1640 110 324 000 1641-1660 1661-16S0 123 084 000 1681-1 7(X) 1701-1720 170 403 000 1721-1740.. .; 1741-1760 327 116 000 1761-1780 1781-1800 1801-1820 236,464,000 194,215 000 1821-1840 229 320 000 1841-1860 1,696,909,000 2,413,829,000 1861-1880 1881-1900 3,162,800,000 Total $10,067,833,000 These statistics have been compiled by the late Adolf ,'^oetbeer and liy the United States Mint from the most authoritative sources. The total output for the entire period of 408 years is equivalent at the coinage value of $20.67 per ounce to 487.031,000 troy ounces, or approxi- mately to 16.200 short tons. The production since 1850 has exceeded that of the preceding three and a half centuries. Along with the dis- covery of new gold-fields have come improved processes for treating low-grade and rebellious ores, such as the cyaride and chlorination proc- esses, and a more systematic adaptation of mining and metallurgical establishments to the varying natural conditions. The important gold-producing countries at the present time are the United States, the Trans- vaal Colony. Australia, Canada, and Russia. In 1898 their combined output was about 87 per cent, of the world's total, and the proportion would now be even larger had not the Boer War given a gi-eat check to mining operations in South Africa, bringing about a decrease in the total production of the world from ,$.307,168,800 in 1809 to $25.>.6.'?4,500 in 1000. The distribution of the production in 1900 by countries is shown in the table following, compiled by the United States Mint. United States. The gold-fields of the United States are widely distributed both geographically and geologically, but, as elsewhere, the occur- rence of gold is limited to areas of crusta! and volcanic disturbances, these apparently being the prime factors that govern the formation of ore bodies the world over. There are thus two distinct regions in which gold is produced, the eastern region along the Appalachian Jlountains, ' GOLD. and the western or C!ordilleran region. Gold has been found at numerous localities on the eastern slo])e of tlk" Appalachians, and the mountain system might be said to be gold-bearing World's Prodoction of Gold in 1900 North .ineriea: rnitcd .States.. Canada Mexico Central America . .South America: Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guiana (Britisli). (Juiana (Dutch)... (Juiana (French).. Peru TTrugua.v Venezuela Euroiie : .ustria-Hungary.. Gernian.v Great Britain Italy Portugal Russia .Spain Sweden Turliey .ia : China East Indies (British).. East Indies (Dutch).... India (British) Japan Korea Africa Australasia.. Total .. Troy ounces 3,829,897 1,348,720 435,376 2.112 16,075 161,104 78,735 67,804 6,208 98,487 27,882 76.468 62.498 1,492 28,710 103,615 3,192 13,360 1,704 227 974,537 418 2,845 675 269,662 27,643 21,041 456,444 63,421 217,687 419,603 3,555,506 Value $79,171,000 27,880,500 9,000,000 43,700 332,300 3,330,:i0 1,627,600 1,194,9(K) 107,700 2,o:55,9(H) 676,400 I,,580,7IHI 1,085,200 30.800 693,500 2,141, 90(( 66,0(M 276,200 35,200 4,700 20,145,500 8, OIK) 68,800 14,000 6,.574,40O .771.400 4.36,000 9,435,500 1,104,300 4,600,000 8,671,900 73,498,900 $256,632,800 throughout its extent from Maine to Alabama, although workable deposits occur only in the southern section. The auriferous belt, varying from a few miles to 75 miles in width, extends from Virginia in a southwesterly direction through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, into Alabama. Both quartz and surface deposits are worked, but the former are the most important at present. The veins cut through slates and schists, and carry iron and capper i)rite.s. with which the gold is usually associated. Dahlonega, Ga.. and Haile Gohi-- mine. S. C. are the chief mining centres. The Western gold-fields, to which this country owes its prominent place as a jiroduccr of gold, are scattered over the whole region between the east- ern foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges. Only those of special importance will be mentioned here, as a general description of the gold resources of the West may be found under the titles of the different States (qq.v.). The auriferous belt of California extends through the northern and central parts of the State, and from the summits of the Sierras to the San .Joaquin and Sacramento valleys. Its wonderful, almost unparalleled richness has fur- nished the incentive for the exploration and rapid development of the whole Far West. From the first discovery in 1848 to 1900 the output has