THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE anb SCOTIA.. BY EDWIN GILPIN, JR., A. M., F. G. S., INSPECTOR OF MISBS FOB THE PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA, MEMBER OF THE N. OF E. INSTITUTE OF M. AND M. E., ETC.. HALIFAX, K. S.: ROBERT T. MURRAY, QUEEN'S PRINTER. 1880. Geology Library TN 27 NSQ4- HALIFAX, N. S., March 31, 1880. The Hon. S. H. HOLMES, Provincial Secretary : SIR, I beg leave to submit the following report on the Mines and Mineral Lands of Nova Scotia. In it I have endeavored to give, with- out entering into inineralogical details, such information as will convey a correct idea of the Minerals found in the Province, their distribution^ etc., and have referred to the probability of their number being increased by future discoveries. I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant, EDWIN GILPIN, JR., Inspector of Mines. 814179 CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. GENERAL REMARKS. GEOLOGY OF NOVA SCOTIA. CHAPTER I. Page. Coal Shalts Petroleum 1 CHAPTER II. METALS AND THEIE ORES. Gold 30 Iron $1 Copper 74 Lead and Silver. 82 Antimony Molybdenum Nickel and Cobalt Zinc Tin 85 CHAPTER III. MINERALS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN CHEMICAL MANUFACTURES. Sulphur and Arsenic Ores Celestine Manganese , 89 CHAPTER IV. MINERAL MANURBS. Gypsum Phosphates 93 CHAPTER V. MINERAL PIGMENTS. Barytes Ochres 97 CHAPTER VI. Salt Mineral Waters 100 CHAPTER VII. MINERALS APPLICABLE TO BUILDING PURPOSES. Freestone Granite Flags and Slates Clay Limestones Marbles Cements... ..104 ri, CHAPTER VIII. REFRACTORY MINERALS. Page. Plumbago Fire Clay Soapstone Pottery Clay Kaolin Ill CHAPTER IX. MATERIALS FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING. Infusorial Earth Grindstones Millstones Whetstones 115 CHAPTER X. Precious Stones Trap Minerals 117 CHAPTER XL Minerals of the Laurentian Strata Tenure of Mineral Lands United States Tariff. 119 APPENDIX. Coal Sales in Nova Scotia, 1875 to 1879. Coal Exported to the United States. Coal Trade by Counties. Coal Produce year 1879. Colliery Labor Returns. Gold, General Annual Summary. Gold, District Summary. INTRODUCTION. In the following pages I have endeavored to describe, as concisely as possible, the mineral resources of Nova Scotia. It will be seen that this Province holds in juxtaposition coal, iron and gold a boon nature has conferred on few countries. The import- ance of this appears more fully when it is remembered that no other Province of the Dominion is similarly favored. The development of our iron ores and coal must form an important page in our future history. Indications of the presence of valuable ores of copper have been discovered, although as yet they are almost untested. Among the minerals that have been worked and present themselves over large tracts of country, permitting a greatly increased out-put, may be mentioned the ores of Manganese, Gypsum, and Barytes ; Ochres, Brine, Marble, etc. Our deposits of what may be termed domestic minerals, such as Gypsum, Limestone, Building-stones, Clays, etc., are of unlimited extent, and good quality. In the absence of geological surveys, embracing the whole of the Province, it would be premature to venture beyond a bare reference to the districts likely to contain valuable minerals. It may, however, be remarked that I am able to give, from authentic sources, the extent of our coal fields. The area of the gold districts has been estimated at about 3,000 square miles. The iron ores of the Province are as yet known only in isolated localities, the total extent of which can hardly be estimated. When, however, it is considered that the ore properties Till. of the only two companies who have turned their attention to the' subject cover 55 and 30 square miles, without monopolising their re- spective districts, the extent of the deposits will be understood. There being comparatively no demand for iron ores, but little search has beeu made ; should enquiries be raised, doubtless many new deposits would be found. The occurrence of " Laurentian " strata in the Province leads to the hope that the valuable minerals characterising them in Ontario and Quebec may be found here also. The information that I have been able to collect will show that we possess the materials required for building up large mining and manu- facturing industries. As this knowledge gains ground, capitalists and practical men will perceive the advantages offered to the miner by the Nova Scotia Government, and the natural assistance afforded by our position as the nearest of England's colonies and the future manu- facturing Province of the Dominion. In this Union the position to be assumed by Nova Scotia is ap- parently that of the workshop, in which our own and imported raw materials may be elaborated for the agricultural lands of the West, which will send us food in return for the products of our labor. GEOLOGY OF NOVA SCOTIA. I give the following outline of the Geology of Nova Scotia, as serving to- indicate, in a rough manner, the extent and ages of the strata, which at one point present to the farmer soils well adapted to recompense his labors, and at another hold the treasures which excite the cupidity of the miner. The valley of the Annapolis River and the north shore of the Basin of Minas are occupied by measures of the Triassic age. They are not known to contain any minerals of economic value, and are interesting chiefly in connection with the trap-dykes which form a prominent feature in the Bay of Fundy landscape, and contain many curious and beautiful minerals. The Carboniferous measures next claim attention. These strata are subdivided, by Dr. Dawson and others, into five groups. 1st. The Upper Coal Measures, composed of red and gray sand- stones, marls, and shales. In this series coal seams are frequently met. as at Merigomish, Pictou, Wallace, etc., not however, large enough to allow profitable workings to be carried on. The Upper Coal Measures are met in the centre of the Cumberland coal field, in Colchester and in Pictou Counties. 2nd. The True Coal Measures. These strata contain all the workable seams at present known in this Province, and have been care- fully surveyed by the officers of the Dominion Geological Survey. They are met in Cumberland, Pictou, Antigonish, Cape Breton, Richmond, Victoria and Inverness Counties. Outliers of those strata are believed to exist in Kings, Digby and Hants Counties, but their age has not yet been settled. The thickness of this formation has been considered by Dr. Dawson* to average 4,000 feet. 3rd. The Millstone Grit occurs at the base of the coal measures, and is particularly developed in Cumberland and Cape Breton Counties. It yields in the foi-mer county valuable beds of grindstones, etc., but no- where, so far as I am aware, does it contain any seams of coal. 4th. The Lower Carboniferous Marine Formation. This is one of the most valuable of the rocks series found in the Province. Its detrition furnishes an excellent soil, and the beds of limestone and gypsum which abound in it provide unlimited supplies of two indispensible minerals. It occupies large tracts in Hants and Colchester Counties, and is extensively developed in Cumberland, Pictou, Antigonish and Kings Counties, and in all parts of Cape Breton. The greater portion of the best farming land of the Province is underlaid by this set of rocks. 5th. The Lower Coal Measures. These strata are met at Horton, and in Hants and Cape Breton Counties. They are distinguished by an abundance of black bituminous and carbonaceous shales, so that they are often considered to be coal-bearing. As yet, however, no workable coal beds have been found in them. The extent of the carboniferous measures in Nova Scotia may be estimated at 5,000 square miles. As yet the various subdivisions have not all been mapped out, attention having hitherto been directed to the coal-producing districts. Devonian. The iron ore bearing strata, of the south side of the Annapolis Valley, have been described by Dr. Dawson as Devonian, but his conclusions arc disputed by Dr. Honeyman, the Provincial Geologist, who is inclined to consider them of much greater age. The labors of the Geological Survey have indicated extensive areas in Rich- mond and Cape Breton Counties, as being probably Devonian, but this opinion may be modified on more extended surveys. These strata, as met in Annapolis County, contain very valuable beds of magnetic and hematite iron ores, which are kiio - "M to extend over a considerable range of country. Upper Silurian. Our knowledge of the extent of these measures is not yet complete. In this connection Dr. Honeyman has rendered valuable service by his labors at Arisaig. From this point, which may be considered the key of the Silurian geology of Nova Scotia, he has traced them through Pictou, Cumberland and Kings Counties. These strata hold valuable deposits of bedded iron ores, and are in this respect typically developed in Pictou County. Lower Silurian. These measures occupy large districts at several points in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia, but no systematic surveys have as yet denned their limits. Succeeding these strata come a vast area E* strata considered to embrace all the older measures typically de rcloped in Canada proper. The labors of Dr. Honeyman, and of Mr. H. Fletcher, of the Geological Survey, have shown large areas of Laurentian strata, with limestones and iron ores similar to those characterising the Laurentian of Ontario and Quebec. The age of the strata holding the gold-bearing lodes of the Atlantic c-oast has riot yet been settled. Including their associated granites, they are estimated to cover 7,500 square miles of the Province. The re- maining 6,000 square miles are considered as occupied by Silurian and Devonian and Triassic Strata. Dr. Dawson's classical work on Acadian Geology gives full details of the distribution of the various rock systems. The proceedings of the Nova Scotia Institute of Natural Science contain many valuable papers by Dr. Honeyman, illustrating the extent and divisions of the Silurian system. The reports of the Canadian Geological Survey since the year 1869 contain valuable reports on our coal and iron fields, as well as on the structural geology of Cape Breton. From the above works a correct idea can be gathered of Nova Scotia geology, as worked out up to the present date chiefly by the labors of unaided individuals. When it is considered how little really is known of the ages, distribution and economic values of our pre-carboniferous strata, the importance and even necessity of a complete survey of the Province becomes apparent. Further allusions to this will be found in this report, but it may be remarked that the direct benefits accruing from such a survey would many times outweigh the expense of its execution. THE MINES AND MINERAL LANDS OF 3STCTV-&. CHAPTER I. v COAL. SHALES. PETROLEUM. The Coal Fields of Nova Scotia. The history of our coal trade is so admirably treated by Mr. Richard Brown, that I need not recapitulate facts within the memory of most people ; but may proceed at once to lay before you all the information that I have been able to collect bearing on the extent of our coal deposits, the nature of the seams, and the uses to which they are applicable. Xova Scotia Coal belongs entirely to the bituminous division of Dana, 110 anthracite having been met as yet. It may be subdivided into coking, cherry or free-burning, and cannel coal. In the following description the various coal-producing districts will be arranged in order from the eastern extremity of the Province the thickness of the beds, their composition, names of chief mines, and other information being submitted. It may be premised that the productive coal measures of Nova Scotia belong to the same horizon in the Geological sequence as those of England and the United States, and present many points of intimate connection in fossil remains, and in the associated strata. Dr. Dawson's "Acadian Geology" gives very full accounts of the mode of formation, and of the flora of our coal measures, any notice of which would, although very interesting, be foreign to the scope of this report. 2 XOYA SCOTIA MIXES CAPE BRETON Sydney Coal Field. This district occupies the north-east comer of Cape Breton, and a small portion of Victoria, Counties. Mr. Robb, in his reports (Geo. Sur. 1872-3), estimates the extent of the coal district at 200 square miles, its dimensions being about 32 miles from the north- west to south-east, and 6 in width. This coal iielcl forms the area of an extensive basin, the greater part of which is hidden beneath the Atlantic. Fortunately, however, nearly all of the seams can be followed in their subaqueous extension, and rights have been taken out covering about 100 square miles of the sub-marine coal. Mr. Poole, in his report to the Commissioner of Mines for the vear 1877, says: ' ' Assuming for the present a contour line three miles from shore to be the boundary of profitable Avorking, and four thousand feet the available depth, and that no seam under three feet will be worked, then taking into consideration the minimum cover of solid measures required by our present law, the reduction to be made on account of known anticlinals, and the average thickness of the seams along their shore crops, the sub-marine Jfcoal field of Cape Breton, from Mira Bay to Cape Dauphin, .will yield 1,866,000,000 tons. This estimate assumes that after allowing one fourteenth for unavoid- able loss and waste in working, 1,400 tons may be obtained from each foot acre, as was assumed in the 'enquiry by the Royal Commission to ascertain the quantity of coal remaining unwrought in Great Britain. 1 ' The estimates of Mr. Brown and others make the total of available coal rather larger ; but enough has been said to show that the sub-marine areas form an important addition to the visible coal field.* The seams appear on the shore, sweep inland, and again enter the ocean, forming segments of irregular ellipses, whose centres are miles out at sea. This peculiar formation is repeated at Cqw Bay, Glace Bay, Lingan, Sydney, and Campbelltown, and presents a number of almost independent basins. the correlation of whose seams was long a puzzle to those engaged in developing the districts. x After a careful survey, extending over a number of years, Mi-. H. Fletcher, of the Geo. Sur., has demonstrated the equivalence of several of the seams of this district formerly regarded as distinct. The following table shows, in a condensed form, the views he arrived at, which, although differing from the arrangements proposed by other Geologists , may be regarded as correct. * For further information, see " Sub-marine Coal of Cape Breton." bv E. (iilpin. Tin- of England Institute, 1875. AND MINERAL LANDS. Vim- of Seams of Sydney Coal Field. COW BAY. GLACE BAY. LING AN. SYDNEY MINES. BOULARD- ERIE. SEAM. SEAM. iStrata&Coal SEAM - j ft. in. SEAM. SEAM. Seam A 3.0 Point Acorn, 306.0 Carr 6.5 Lloyd's Cove.. Bonar. 190.0 Hub IBarrasois 12.1 Seam B Stubbart. 379.3 j Block House H-bour { & } ^ | Sydney Main 'Seam C. 3.0 Seam D Bouthilier : Seam 78.0 Bryant iMill Pond. 4.0 Seam E Back Pit 'North- Head.. 75.0 'Edward Black Rock. 8.0 McAulay Phelan.... Lingan Main . . 95.0 Seam F Seam F. South Head, M ( Ross, \ Spencer, 1 | ( Emery ) Seam G mo {' Collins ' SeamG. Long Beach 1 Lorway, \ \ Gardener f Seam H 4.9 ] The exceptional freedom from faults which characterises this coal field has been strongly dwelt upon by all who have been engaged in exploring it. Prof. Lesley, in reporting on the Little Glace Bay district, says : " The water level lines of the beds are now seen to be parallel, and the whole country wonderfully level, and free from faults." This remark applies equally to the other districts, and adds materially to the confidence with which mining operations are begun. I have not given the thickness of the seams and associated strata in each district, as the dimensions of the Lingan section answer fairly for the rest. There are other seams^found underlying these, and varying in thickness from two to eight feet ; but I will not notice them further than to say that the fossils associated with some of the beds would indicate an extension of the productive or true coal measures much further to the westward than was generally believed to be the case. Taking the seams as given in the table in descending order, we have first to notice seam A, which has not yet been worked. Although the land area of this seam is small, it is believed that it will be found accessible under the sea for a long distance. The Lloyd's Cove seam was opened by the General Mining Association in their Sydney area, some years ago, and workings were extended over about 18 acres, but it being found that the Main seam could meet all demands, it was abandoned. The Hub seam was opened and extensively worked by the Little Glace Bay Co. some years ago. The land area of this seam is about 150 4 NOVA SCOTIA MIKES acres, 60 of which have been partly worked out, leaving a large amount of good coal ; but all operations are now abandoned. The accessible sea area of this seam is estimated at 2,500 acres, yielding 35 millions of tons of coal. The coal from this seam is well adapted for gas making, the quantity per ton varying from 9,500 to 10,000 cubic feet of 15 candle power. The residual coke is of excellent quality. From an official report on the coal from this seam and the underlying or Harbor bed worked by the same Company, made to the Admiralty, it appears that the former contains 80'9, and the latter 83-5 per cent, of Carbon, and are theoretically equal to Welsh coal, which is borne out by practical tests. Both of the coals were found to light quickly, make steam fast, and to give a moderate amount of clinker and ash, the only drawback that was mentioned being the fact that they yielded a considerable amount of smoke. From trials that have been made since, in England and the United States, it has been shewn that, with proper draft and furnace arrangements, the bituminous coals of the class under consideration can readily be burnt, not only Avithout producing smoke, but with a correspondingly increased evaporative power. The slack coal from the Hub seam was made into coke to a small extent some years ago. The quality was said to be excellent, and to have but little Sulphur : but I am not aware of any analysis having been made. The next seam on the list has been extensively worked by the Block House, Little Glace Bay, International, Victoria, and Sydney Collieries. The coal from the Block House Mine has yielded at the New York and Boston gas-works 10,316 cubic feet of 16J candle gas, and 1,460 Ibs. of coke ; and large quantities of it have been sold for that purpose in these markets. It has also proved a capital steam coal, and when tried on board H. M. S. Gannet, was found to raise steam fifteen minutes quicker than any other coal that had been supplied to the ship. When mixed with twice its weight of Tillery Elled Welsh Coal, a saving of 12 per cent, over the Welsh coal alone, was reported. The per-centage of ash and clinker was very small. At the works of the Little Glace Bay Co. this seam has recently been opened at a lower level, and the quality of the coal found to AND MINERAL LANDS. 5 improve. The following are the Gas values of the coal, as determined during the past year : Montreal Xw City Gas Co. i Halifax Gas Co. Gas, cubic ft., per ton 9,268 Candle Power 15 Coke (good) bus 40 Gas, cubic ft., per ton 9,700 Candle Power 14-75 Coke (very good) bus 39 I have already spoken of the fitness of this coal for use in the English Navy, and remark here that the results would be found higher from the coal at present mined. At the International Mine, on the South side of Lingan Bay, this seam differs little from its characteristics observable in the Glace Bay Stirling Pit. The quality of the coal is very good, being compact and free from shale. It has been used chiefly for gas in New York ; and has been successfully introduced for the same purpose into the Montreal and Ottawa markets. It has yielded 10,000 cubic feet of gas of 16 candle power, and 1,470 ft>s. of good coke to the ton. It has also been satisfactorily used for a steam coal, and certified equal to best West Hartley, the only drawback being a clinker apt to adhere to the furnace bars. From trials made during 1879, and noticed in speaking of the Pictou coals, it appears that this coal is well adapted for locomotive work, and is highly recommended by those in charge of the tests. At the Victoria Mine the seam is more compact, and loses to some extent the bright, pitchy appearance it presents to the South. The coal is not recommended for gas making, but is found to be a capital steam and house fuel, and has never been known to heat in cargo. It has not been tried for coke ; but the slack finds sale for steam and blacksmiths' work. At the Sydney Mines of the General Mining Association, this seam has proved of excellent quality for steam and domestic use. The estimation it is held in for the latter purpose may be judged of by the fact that it retails in Halifax at a price 30 to 80 cts. higher per chaldron than any other Cape Breton coal. The following are the average results of four trials of its gas values at Halifax : Gas, cubic ft., per ton 8,200 Candle Power 8 Coke (good)Ibs 1,295 NOVA SCOTIA MI> 7 ES It has been pronounced by the Engineers of the French Navy equal to the best Newcastle, for steam-raising, and has been extensively used by mail and other vessels for a number of years. The following is the result of a trial of this coal made by the American Government in 1841, and is, as far as I am aware, the only practical trial that has been made of the evaporative power of any of the Cape Breton coals : Moisture 3-13 Volatile Comb: Matter 23-81 Fixed Carbon. .. ..67 -57 Ash. . 5-49 Lbs. of water to one of coal, from 212 7'90 Ash and Clinker, per cent. . .6*00 Theoretical Evap. Power.. . .9-25* The following analyses show the composition of this seam, as worked at the Collieries noticed above : COMPOSITION, t BLOCK HOUSE. HARBOR. VICTORIA. SYDNET. 600 80 28 1-260 Vol: Comb: Matter, Fast Coking Fixed Carbon " " Vol: Comb: Matter, Slow " Fixed Carbon, " " Ash Sulphur 31-580 63-465 29-480 65-565 4-355 2-630 29-40 65-50 27-85 67-05 4-30 2-32 33-30 62-92 28-61 67.61 3-50 2-84 35-514 59111 33-840 60-785 4-115 1-705 Specific Gravity 1-292 1-29 1-29 1-312 Theo: Evap: Power, Fast Coking " Slow " 8-99 8-97 8-98 9-19 8-63 9-27 8-14 8-33 The two following seams, known as the Bouthilier and Back Pit of Glace Bay, and the Mill Pond and Black Rock of Boularderie, vary in thickness from 3 to 6 feet, and have been traced from end to end of the coal field. Although of good quality, they have hitherto been neglected in the presence of the larger seams, and may at this date be considered an important reserve. I regret that I am not in possession of any analyses or-other positive information relating to these seams in the Southern part of the district, beyond the records of sinking pits and exploratory slopes', which agree in describing them as being suitable for steam and domestic use. The only opening in them is that made by Mr. Campbell, at Cape Dauphin, where the equivalent of the Black Rock seam has been worked. At this point the seam is 4 ft. 6 in. thick, and finds a market in Halifax and other Provincial ports as being adapted for house use. All the evaporative powers, as given in this report, are calculated from Renault's formula, t Unless otherwise specified, the coal and ash analyses are by the writer, and taken from a paper on "Canadian Coals, their Composition and Use?," communicated by him to the North of England Mining Institute, 1878. AM) MIXBRAL LANDS. 7 The next seam on the list is known as the McAulay, Phelan, and Lingan, and is worked by the Gowrie, Ontario, Caledonia, Reserve, and Lingan Collieries. This valuable bed has furnished a large amount of coal, and may be considered the typical seam of the district. At the Gowrie Colliery the seam is 5 ft. 2 in. thick. The product is used for steam and domestic purposes, and has been found adapted for iron working. From certificates given by engineers and masters of steamers, the coal is considered superior to all English coals, except the Welsh, for evaporative power. Its freedom from clinker, and low per- centage of ash, and the consequent absence of injury to fire bars, are specially dwelt upon. In the retorts of the New York Gas Co., it yielded 9,000 cubic ft. of gas of 15 candle power, and 1,230 ft>s. of good coke to the ton, and 2.100 cubic ft. were purified by one bushel of lime. At the Ontario and Caledonia Mines, this seam varies its character slightly, and becomes, although still a good gas coal, rather more free burning, and holds slightly above the ordinary per-centage of ash found in the Cape Breton coals. The Caledonia coal has been largely exported to the New England States for steam and gas purposes, and also for lime burning and domestic use. In 1878 it yielded, at the Montreal Gas-works, per ton of 2,000 Ibs., 8,900 cubic ft. of 14 - 25 candle power, and 36 bushels of fair coke. At the Reserve Mine it forms one of the handsomest of the Cape Breton coals, and is used chiefly for steam purposes. A considerable amount is sent to Newfoundland, where it is in demand for sealing steamers, which require a coal capable of raising steam rapidly. it has yielded, as a gas coal, 9,950 cubic ft. of 13' 17 candle gas, and 1,500 Ibs. of coke per ton. 2,380 cubic ft. are purified by one bushel of lime. At Lingan this seam laid the foundation of the gas reputation of the Cape Breton coals in the United States. Large quantities were exported to New York and Boston for this purpose, but it shares the late depression. It is said to yield from 9,000 to 10,000 cubic ft. of 15| candle power gas per ton. It has also been used to a considerable extent for house use, and should prove an excellent steam coal. The coal was carefully tried on the steam dredge " St. Lawrence, employed last summer in deepening the approaches to the wharf ; and the engineer, after referring in flattering terms to its steady and good NOVA SCOTIA MIXES steaming qualities, and small amount of ash, winds up by saying that he preferred it to any coal he had used. The following table shows the composition of this sea"m at the various collieries now working : COMPOSITION. GOWRIK. CALEDONIA. RESERVE. LlSOAN. Moisture 50 921 52 75 Vol: Com 1 Matter Fast Cokin 31-41 30-312 37-60 37-26 Fixed Carbon, " Vol: Com: Matter, Slow " Fixed Carbon, " " Ash ... 6273 28-13 66-01 5-36 62-334 28-625 64-021 56-34 34-21 59-73 5-54 58-74 34-61 61-39 3-25 Sulphur Specific Gravity Theo. Evap. Power, Fast Coking " Slow " 271 1-31 8-62 9-05 1-105 8-62 8-78 1-25 1-28 7-86 819 1-35 1-29 8-00 8-42 The next seam on the list has been opened at all points in the district ; but owing to several causes, operations are at present suspended. The coal from the South Head Colliery should, from its appearance, prove a good steam coal, and has yielded 8,000 cubic ft. of 16 candle gas from a sample cargo. The coal from the openings at the Schooner Pond, Emery, and Collins' Collieries is also reported to be adapted for gas purposes, but I am not in possession of any detailed experiments. The lowest seam that has been developed is known as the Lorway or Gardener, and has been worked at these two mines. It has been found a good steam coal, well adapted for ships' use, as it is not smoky, nor does it form a clinker in any way injuring the fire liars. The following table shows the" composition of these seams : COMPOSITION. SOVfllHKAI) EMEKY. COLLINS. GARDENBR. Moisture 1-767 28-833 61-430 28-000 62-263 7-970 2-641 1-382 8-42 8-53 65 34-80 (>0-!)0 32-21 63-49 3-65 2-41 1-287 8-25 870 1-983 30-896 61-742 26-156 66-482 5-397 2-248 1-311 8-43 9-10 31-96 65-22 2-82 MS Vol: Comb: Matter, Fixed Carbon, Vol: Comb: Matter, Fixed Carbon, Ash Fast Coking Slow Coking et u Sulphur Specific Gravity Theo: Evap: Power, Fast Coking... Slow " But little can be said at present of the seams underlying the Gardener, as they are known only by pits and natural exposures. They include several beds of good quality, as shown by the following analyses from ' Geo. Sur. Rep. 1872-3. AND MINERAL LANDS. the G. S. R. 1874-5, and as a demand arises will doubtless receive more attention. The Tracey seam was worked some years ago, and is said to be equal in quality to any previously noticed. The Fraser seam is a Canneloid coal, giving an intense heat ; and the Carroll seam is described as suited for coke and blacksmiths' use. TRACKY SEAM. 4 ft. 2 in. Moisture 2-23 Vol: Comb: Matter.... 30-09 Fixed Carbon 66-61 Ash. . . -98 FRASER SEAM. CARROLL SEAM. 6 ft. 4 in. 7 ft. 2 in. 99-91 31-4 62-4 6-2 100-0 32-8 61-4 5-8 100-0 The following ultimate analyses have been made of coals from this district : COMPOSITION. BLOCK HOVSE. RESERVE, t SCIIOOSER POND. V Carbon 82-60 77-41 78-10 Hydrogen 4-79 5-47 ^ 5-48 Nitrogen Oxygen 1-20 4-10 [ 9-30 J ;,, Sulphur 2-51 J-47 2-49 Ash 4-80 4 -.35 3-45 Water 1-00 2-67 100-00 100-00 100-00 The nature of the ash of the Cape Breton coals may be gathered from the following analyses, by the writer : COMPOSITION. BLOCK HOUSE. CALEDONIA. VICTORIA. EMERY. Iron peroxide 45-621 11-853 56-543 38*764 Alumina , 3-250 4-200 6-456 I'33fr Insoluble Silicious residue Manganese 35-110 65-734 950 27-500 1-930 50-673 trace. Magnesia I'lOO 1-260 035 1-015 5'425 7*151 2'598 4-200 Sulphuric Acid Phosphoric Acid 6750 1-900 4-283 2-725 3-790 691 4-030 012 Alkalies trace 2-150 150 trace. Chlorine trace .... 99-156 100-306 99-693 100-030 Made for the Admiralty ,- at Halifax. Royal School of Mines." 10 NOVA SCOTIA MINES From the preceeding remarks and analyses, it will be seen that this district furnishes coal particularly suited for gas making. It is, also, as appears from the notices of certificates, equal to the coal furnished to the English Mercantile Navy, being considered as almost equal to AYelsh steam coal, which may be ranked as the standard for comparison. The enormous amount of available coal it contains may be estimated from the Geological Survey Report, which states that the seams now opened contain, in the areas leased for the purpose of working them, over 212,000,000 tons. This estimate does not include the coal in the seams which are unopened in the land areas, in operation, nor the values of the seams on the leases which are at present awaiting a favorable opportunity for development, which items would swell the total quantity of coal in the Sydney district to a volume which assures very many years supply at rates far exceeding the present annual out-put. The coal available, will long form an important and increasing source of revenue to the Government, and give to manufacturing industries the assurance of an abundant supply, at uniform prices, which is always an important consideration. These coals are also well adapted for house use, and are extensively used in Halifax and the neighboring colonies for that purpose ; moreover, they furnish coke, which has been made to a small extent at Little Glace Bay and Sydney, and proved of good quality. In the event of any demand arising for this article, large quantities could be furnished at a low price. There are a number of seams of cannel coal scattered through the t^oal measures, varying in thickness up to 2 feet. They are in some instances considered valuable, but as yet no openings have been made on them. The measures enclosing the Cape Breton coals are largely composed of argillaceous shales and sandstones, frequently occurring in thick bed. c , the latter sometimes intercalated with girdles and bands of ironstone. A few beds of limestone and conglomerates are met, but they do not form an important per-centage. This solidity and coherence of the strata, always an essential item in mining, becomes specially valuable in view of the present and future extent of sub-marine operations in the district I have been considering. The systems of mining adopted in this coal field vary, from the extensive and well planned establishment of the General Mining AND MINERAL LANDS. 11 Association at North Sydney, with its large underground and winding engines, massive pumps and ventilating fans, all contributing to effect an output of 900 or 1000 tons a day, down to a small colliery raising some 150 tons a day with a little portable engine, and dependent on the caprices of the atmosphere for its ventilation. Artificial harbours and breakwaters have been made at Glace and Cow Bays, by several of the companies, while others ship at Sydney Harbour. The Cape Breton Coal Company have commenced shipments at Louisburg, and it is to be hoped that this fine harbour will soon be extensively used as an all winter shipping place, not only for the proprietors of the Cape Breton Company's Mines, but also for other companies. The cost of the coal, mined and put into cars, varies at the different colfleries from 60 cents to $1.25 ; the transport and shipping, and interest on capital being different in each case. Surface labourers receive from 85cts. to$1.00, mechanics $1.10 to $1.50 a day. The wages of the coal cutters, who are paid by contract, vary from $1.25 to $1.75 per working day. Provisions, lumber, land, etc., are easily and cheaply procured, and few countries offer better facilities for opening Coal mines. INVERNESS. Inverness Coal /'/W.--From Cheticamp to Judique, on the -Western shore of Cape Breton, there extends a narrow and broken line of productive measures, forming the edges of great basins of coal, which have long ago disappeared beneath the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At Chimney Corner, Prof. Hynd reported two groups of seams, nothing lie-ing known of the lower. The upper gave the following section : ft. in. Thin Seams 1 6 Strata 300 Coal 3 Strata 88 Coal f> Strata 200 Coal 3" 6 The measures here form a sharp synclinal, about three quarters of a mile wide, giving an estimated land area of about 5 square miles; however, but little is yet known of the extent of the seams of the lower group. 12 NOVA SCOTIA MINES At Broad Cove, about 10 miles to the south-west, the following- section of seams, contained in about 2000 feet of strata, is said to exist. and is given on Mr. A.Wright's authority. First Seam 2 feet. Second ' . .2 McKinnon Brook. Seam now worked. Big River. Third ' 3 Fourth ' 4 Fifth ' 12 Sixth ' 7 Seventh ' 4 Eighth ' 3 Operations have been confined to the 7 foot seam, from which a few tons have been shipped to Moncton and Prince Edward Island. The extent of productive measures here is not yet positively known, but areas embracing about twenty square miles, believed to hold workable coal, have been secured by various parties. In the Geo. Sur. Rep. 1874, p. 183, it is stated: "Judging from appearance, the coal, which is of the bituminous kind, seems to be of excellent quality. From the manner in which it burns in a common fire, I should judge it to be peculiarly free from liability to produce dense black smoke." The coal has been satisfactorily burnt for house and steam purposes. The district at present labors under the disad- vantage of having no proper shipping ground. It is proposed to remedy this by opening Mclsaac's Pond, about one mile distant, which operation, if successful, would provide good loading facilities, and a harbor of refuge for this section of the Island. Another of these small, but valuable, coal fields occurs at Mabou : here the outcrops of the following beds are reported, namely, a 4 foot bed, a 13 foot bed, about 20 feet above the first, a 7 foot seam 120 (?) feet higher, and a 5 foot seam. There are also several other seams, the size and extent of which are unknown. The usual basin shape is presented here with an area somewhat smaller than at Broad Cove. At Port Hood one seam only has been definitely tested, although the presence of several others has been proved. Here the strata run more nearly parallel with the shore, and extend along it about 2 miles. The seam opened has a thickness of 6 feet. Workings were pushed a short distance under the sea, but are discontinued at present. The outcrop of another 6 feet seam is known at low water. Coal occurs again at Little Judique, in close proximity to gypsum and limestone. AND MINERAL LANDS. 13 The following analyses will show the character of these coals : CHIMNEY BROAD COVE. COM POSITION. CORNER.* -foot seara.t 5 foot seam.J HOOD. I Water - 819 4'02 7'24 25-35 Vl: Com: Matter, Fast Coking 26'39 25-39 32-43 316-52 Fixed Carbon, " Vpl: Oomb: Matter, Slow Coking Fixed Carbon, " 5770 6519 2017 70-41 50-18 2575 56*86 600-86 29815 619-23 Ash 772 5-40 10-15 57-27 Sulphur 1-41 55-4 Theo: Evap: Power, Fast Coking " Slow " 7-89 6-81 7-61 82-3 84-9 From these analyses it will be seen that the seams, although holding more than the normal per-ceiitages of water, are of good quality, and would command a fair share of the Canadian markets, if a proper outlet were provided. At present there is no harbor where they can be shipped, and it is to be hoped that attempts will be made to provide suitable facilities, as the opening of mines along this shore would prove a great benefit to the district generally, which is almost entirely cut off from a market. Mr. Richard Brown, in. his " Coal Fields of Cape Breton," very properly remarks : " Immediate steps should be taken by the Government to ascertain the exact position of the coal seams of Inverness ; because, owing to the rapid wearing away of the shore, all traces of these seams will soon become obliterated." In proof of this, Seal Island may be cited, which, composed of Carboniferous strata, and once, beyond all doubt, connected with the mainland, is now separated by a channel two miles 1 >road . It is evident, therefore, that a belt of coast, at least two miles wide, has disappeared, effacing the outcrops of many valuable seams. Port Hood is another instance of the wasting powers of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If correct plans are now made, showing the position of every seam, at a future date, when their outcrops have disappeared, they may be won by sub-marine tunnels, started from the shore. RICHMOND. Little River Coal Field. In Richmond County a number of years ago, extensive explorations were carried on, and a few hundred tons of coal extracted from seams, which have since been neglected. Dr. II. How. t Geo. Sur. Rep. 1874. J E. Gilpin. 14 NOVA SCOTIA MINES This district is considered to extend from a point ^ miles above tin new bridge on the River Inhabitants to Little River and Sea Coal Bay. on the west, and Coal Brook on the east side of River Inhabitants basin. This district has recently been carefully surveyed by Mi-. H. Fletcher, of the Geological Survey, and doubtless his report and map will accurately define the value and extent of the coal-bearing strata. The seams opened on the Sea Coal Cove include one 11 feet thick. inclusive of several bands of shale, and two, 4 and 5 feet in thickness, tin- latter having a band of fire clay in the centre. At Richmond, on the Little River, 2i miles north-east of Sea Coal Cove, two steams, four feet thick, and 150 feet apart, have been opened. About seven miles above the River Inhabitants' new bridge a bed of coal 1 ft. 8 in. thick, underlaid by 2 ft. 3 in. of coaly shale, is exposed. The crops of other seams are reported on the River Inhabitants. Coal Brook, etc. ; but there is not much known about them. The position of the gypsum and limestones of this district, relative to the coal beds, raises a doubt whether the coal of this county should be considered as belonging to the productive or to the lower measures of the carboniferous series. The following analyses of these coals were made a number of years ago by Dr. Dawson : 11 foot Seam, . . . R , Seal Coal Cove. Volatile Matter 25-2 :\Q-2:> Fixed Carbon 44-7 :>6'40 Ash.. 30-1 13-35 JOO-0 . 100-00 ANTIGONISH. A few miles north of Antigonish a small coal field was found some years ago. Enough work was done to show the presence of five seams, varying in thickness from 3 to 6 feet, accompanied by beds of oil shale. The coal is said to be of fair quality ; but I have not heard of any analyses or practical tests which would serve to show what position it may be expected to assume among the other coals. At present, there is not demand enough to render its extraction advisable, in the presence of the Halifax and Cape Breton Railway which, starting from New Glasgow. carries the Pictou coal through, the centre of Antigonish County. In the event of industries being started requiring any large quantity of coal. AND MINERAL LANDS. 15 such as copper smelting, etc. , it may be expected to add another to our list of productive districts. Its area is variously estimated at from 5 to 10 square miles ; but as so little work has been done, no positive information can be given on this point. THE PICTOU COAL FIELD. This district lies immediately south of the town of New Glasgow, in Pictou County. The area of the field may be estimated at about 35 square miles, and it extends from a point near Sutherland's River to the Middle River of Pictou. This area, although comparatively limited, contains a large amount of coal, owing to the unusual size of the beds, and the good exposures of their crops. The district may be roughly described as forming a main east and west synclinal, disturbed and shifted by minor north and south undulations, which expose the outcrops of the seams in irregular curves and basins. The forces producing our gold field anticlinals would seem to have extended into this district, as well as into the Cumberland coal field, and produce irregularities which, before they were understood, caused much confusion in the tracing and correllation of the seams. The former extent of this coal field must have been very coiisidei'ably larger. It now forms an irregular basin, let down on all sides among rocks of older age. When we consider that, in the Albion Mines' district, there is a section of measures 2,450 feet in vertical thickness, holding 100 feet of coal, lying at an angle of 18, denuded to- a horizontal plane, it is evident that this great mass of sediments, when lying undisturbed, must have stretched a considerable distance over what are now the boundary rocks. From the information at present available, the seams of this district may be divided into an upper and lower group, all included in 5,567 feet of measures, according to Sir W. Logan.* The upper group contains the following beds : STRATA. COAL. v ft. in. ft. in. Captain Seam 4-0 , Intermediate 108-0 Millrace . 4;0 do 53-0 Geo. McKay 4-10 * For further information, see Geo. Sur. Rep. 1869 ; Papers by the writer, in the transactions of the Nova Scotia Institute of Natural Science, in the grouping of the Pictou Coal Seams, etc. Also, a paper on the Pictou Coal Field ; North of England Institute of Mining Engineers, 1873 ; Coal " " s of Nova Scotia ; J. Rutherford, ibid ; Acadian Geology, etc. 16 HOVA SCOTIA MINES STRATA. ft. in. Intermediate Seam 600-0 (?) do McBean 800.0 do Pottery do. 80.0 . . 760-0 Stewart ... ( . . . ; McLennan ( COAL. ft. in. 6.0 '8-0 2-9 4-0 The three first-mentioned seams occur as a small basin, in the eastern part of the district, and they are also believed to occur again as a small basin immediately in the rear of New Glasgow, while it is not yet settled whether the six and eight foot seams crop in the interval between the two basins or re-appear only near New Glasgow. This uncertainty is owing to the fact that. little exploratory work has been done in this part of the coal field. These upper seams are best proved on the property of the Vale Coal Co. ; and by the kindness of J. B. Moore, Esq., Vice-President of that Company, I am enabled to present the following analyses of them, made by me for him two years ago, from samples procured on that area : COMPOSITION. North Crop, South Crop, G. McKay. G. McKay. Greener, or 6 ft. Seam. MelJcan. Pottery or Moore. ' Moisture 1 -G2 -9ft 1-22 86 7 Vol: Comb: Mat:, Fast Coking 29-89 30-36 25-87 25-87 26.65 Fixed Carbon, 61.15 57-42 62-70 60-03 65-35 Vol: Comb: Mat:, Slow " 22-86 22-50 22-96 20-95 19-24 Fixed Carbon, " " 68-18 65-28 65-61 64-95 72-76 Ash 7-34 11-32 10-21 13-24 7-43 Sulphur - 53 1-72 trace. 85 65 Theo :Evan : Pow : . Fast Coking 8-39 7-87 8-59 8.23 8-98 " " Slow " 9-35 8-97 8-99 8-90 9-97 From the above analyses, it will be seen that all these coals are of excellent quality, the Geo. McKay and Moore seams being apparently suitable for gas and coke making ; while all of them have small per- centages of Sulphur, and a very high evaporative power. The McBean seam has been extensively worked at the Vale Colliery, and has proved well adapted for steam raising in marine and stationary, as well as locomotive, engines. The President of the Moisie Iron Works writes, that it is admirably adapted fo* iron making, as the grates require cleaning only once a day. AND MINERAL LANDS. 17 The Manager of the Richelieu and Ontario Navigation Co. states that, " the coal makes no clinker, and is easy on the grates ; and lasts longer than Scotch. I consider it equal to Scotch coal in its results." The Q. M. O.