Nigeria and its tin fieldsCalvert, Albert Frederick
History
Nigeria and its tin fields
Calvert, Albert Frederick
Tin mines and mining -- Nigeria
The Anglo-Continental Mines Company is largely interested in what are
undoubtedly the best gold mines in the Tarkwa and Prestea, districts
of West Africa, but it has also a substantial slice of the Nigerian
“cake.” It has already had one profitable “deal” in the successful
flotation of the Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, Ltd.—a company
holding prospecting licences over a compact block of 50 square miles in
the Bauchi Province, and mining licences over three blocks of about 12½
acres each. Portions of the property have been worked sufficiently by the
Niger Company to prove their exceptional value as tin-bearing areas. Mr.
C. G. Lush, reporting in February last, stated: “From surface pannings
I should estimate the over-burden, or rather stanniferous gravelly
deposit overlying the wash, to go 2 lbs. per cubic yard.... Provided
sufficient power is obtained, there is room here for at least four big
plants capable of treating 10,000 cubic yards of gravel each per week.
40,000 yards at 2 lbs. equals 80,000 lbs. of tin oxide, equal to 35 tons
per week, which, at £80, means £2,800; less cost of treatment at 6d.
per yard £1,000, carriage on 35 tons of tin (at £15) £525, Government
royalty at 10 per cent. £127, leaving a net weekly profit of £1,148.” The
Anglo-Continental Mines Company has a large interest in this company, and
is looking for big dividends therefrom in the not very distant future.
But this is not by any means the full extent of its interest in Northern
Nigeria, for it has acquired an adjoining area of 50 square miles, which
are stated to afford equally satisfactory prospects.
Apart from the indirect interest the Nigerian Tin Corporation has in the
Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, through the Anglo-Continental Mines
Company already referred to, it has a large holding on its own account.
The original intention, when the Nigerian Tin Corporation was formed, was
that it should confine itself entirely to taking participation in deals
and promotions, but feeling persuaded that this is the most important
virgin tin field the world has yet seen, the directors decided to extend
the scope of the corporation’s operations, and, as already stated, four
areas have been acquired of eight, three, two, and one square miles
respectively.
Mr. H. O. Crighton, late manager of the Pusing Lama Mine, in the Straits
Settlements, has been appointed the company’s manager in Northern Nigeria
in January last, and has already taken up three areas on behalf of this
company.
NORTHERN NIGERIA (BAUCHI) TIN MINES, LTD.
_Capital._—£200,000 in £1 shares, of which 169,000 are issued
and fully paid, including 100,000 given in part payment of the
property.
_Directors._—Sir Robert A. Hampson, J.P. (Chairman), Mr. Hugh
C. Godfray, Mr. George T. Harris, Mr. Oliver Wethered, and Mr.
Hetherington White.
_Secretary._—Mr. E. Price.
_Offices._—19 St. Swithin’s Lane, E.C.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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