GETTING GOLD.

GRIFFIN’S STANDARD PUBLICATIONS.

Fourth Edition, Revised. Fully Illustrated. 21s.

THE METALLURGY OF GOLD. By T. KIRKE ROSE, D.Sc. Lond., Assoc. R.S.M., Chemist and Assayer to the Royal Mint.

“Adapted for all who are interested in the Gold Mining Industry, being free from technicalities as far as possible, but is more particularly of value to those engaged in the industry.”—Cape Times.

“A comprehensive practical treatise on this important subject.”—The Times.

Medium 8vo. With numerous Plates, Maps, and Illustrations. 21s. net.

CYANIDING GOLD AND SILVER ORES: A Practical Treatise on the Cyanide Process. By H. FORBES JULIAN, and EDGAR SMART, A.M.I.C.E.

“A handsome volume of 400 pages which will be a valuable book of reference for all associated with the process.”—Mining Journal.

Large Crown 8vo. Third English Edition. Fully Illustrated, 7s. 6d.

THE CYANIDE PROCESS OF GOLD EXTRACTION. By Professor JAMES PARK, F.G.S., M.Inst.M.M.

“We can confidently recommend this book as a thoroughly practical work, and congratulate the author at its continued success.”—Chemical News.

In Crown 8vo. Illustrated. Fancy Cloth Boards. Price 4s. 6d.

GOLD SEEKING IN SOUTH AFRICA; A Handbook of Hints for intending Explorers, Prospectors, and Settlers. By THEO. KASSNER, Mine Manager.

“The Prospector ought to include this book in his library of reference, and the stay-at-home reader will be interested and informed by its contents.”—Mining World.

Third Edition, Revised. With Illustrations. Handsome cloth, 5s.

PROSPECTING FOR MINERALS. By S. HERBERT COX, Assoc. R.S.M., M.Inst.M.M., F.G.S., &c.

“This EXCELLENT HANDBOOK will prove a perfect vade-mecum to those engaged in the practical work of Mining and Metallurgy.”—Times of Africa.

Large 8vo. Cloth. Fully Illustrated. 12s. 6d. net.

METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS AND ASSAYING: A THREE YEARS’ COURSE FOR STUDENTS OF SCHOOLS OF MINES. By W. A. MACLEOD, B.A., B.Sc., A.O.S.M., and CHAS. WALKER, F.C.S.

“The publication of this volume tends to prove that the teaching of metallurgical analysis and assaying in Australia rests in competent hands.”—Nature.

In Large 4to. Library Style. Beautifully Illustrated with 20 Plates, many in Colours, and 94 Figures in the Text. £2, 2s. net.

PRECIOUS STONES: THEIR PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCES, AND USES. By Dr. MAX BAUER. Translated by L. J. SPENCER, M.A. (Cantab.), F.G.S.

“The plates are remarkable for their beauty, delicacy, and truthfulness. A glance at them alone is a lesson on precious stones.”—Athenæum.

London: CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO., Limited, Exeter St., Strand.

The Prospector.—Dishwashing or Panning
Frontispiece

GETTING GOLD:

A PRACTICAL TREATISE

FOR

PROSPECTORS, MINERS, AND STUDENTS.

BY

J. C. F. JOHNSON, F.G.S.,

MEMBER OF THE AUST. INST. OF MINING ENGINEERS;

AUTHOR OF “PRACTICAL MINING,” “THE GENESIOLOGY OF GOLD,” ETC.

THIRD EDITION.

WITH 50 ILLUSTRATIONS AND 8 PLATES.

LONDON:

CHARLES GRIFFIN AND COMPANY, Limited;

EXETER STREET, STRAND.

1904.

[All rights reserved.]

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

Some years ago the author published a small book entitled “Practical Mining,” designed specially for the use of those engaged in the always fascinating, though not as invariably profitable, pursuit of “Getting Gold.” Of this ten thousand copies were sold, nearly all in Australasia, and the work is now out of print. The London Mining Journal of September 9th, 1891, said of it: “We have seldom seen a book in which so much interesting matter combined with useful information is given in so small a space.”

The gold-mining industry has grown considerably since 1891, and it appeared to the writer that the present would be a propitious time to bring out a similar work, but with a considerably enlarged scope. What has been aimed at is to make “Getting Gold” a compendium, in specially concrete form, of useful information respecting the processes of winning from the soil and the after-treatment of gold and gold ores, including some original practical discoveries by the author. Practical information, original and selected, is given to mining company directors, mine managers, quartz mill operators, and prospectors. In “Rules of Thumb,” chapters XI. and XII., will be found a large number of useful hints on subjects directly and indirectly connected with gold-mining.

The author’s mining experience extends back thirty years and he therefore ventures to believe with some degree of confidence that the information, original or compiled, which the book contains, will be found both useful and profitable to those who are in any capacity interested in the gold-mining industry.

J. C. F. J.

London, November 1896.

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE TO THE THIRD EDITION

The reviewer in Nature remarked on the First Edition of this book, “It has often been said that the practical man does not write books, but THERE IS HERE A COMPLETE REFUTATION OF THE CALUMNY.” The sale of two large editions has justified the opinion of the reviewer, and shows that the book from the practical man is valued. The Third Edition has been revised throughout and several new figures in the text and eight full-page plates have been added. It is confidently hoped that this new Edition will meet with the same kindly reception as the earlier ones.

November 1904.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I