CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTORY. GETTING GOLD

Gold--Poetical and historical references--Its wide distribution--Remains of ancient works--Old appliances--Modern appliances anticipated--Labours of alchemists--Deposition similar to common minerals--How first obtained--The Pactolian annual miracle--Mode of working auriferous sand and lodes--Principal sources of gold supply--Transvaal production--Californian production--Real date of discovery in Australia--State encouragement for new discoveries--Obstacles in early Australian production--Australasian production to date--The world’s wealth--Nuggets--Modern methods--Hydraulicing cheapest--Definition of “lode”--Igneous and aqueous theories contrasted--Difference between reef and alluvial gold--Mining terms explained--Usual exploitation and treatment--Operations--Stamp battery--Its advantages as crusher--Usual milling operations pp. 1-12