actually being done are about one hundred. The working hours of the miners are eight, sometimes six. The day is divided into three or four equal parts according to the class of work. The average amount of ore extracted by one miner (in eight hours) is from forty to fifty kwan. According to the nature of the rock, gunpowder or dynamite is used, while in case of a necessity for more rapid working, rock-drills are always employed. The length of the mining railway for conveying the ores and stones, etc., is 173,159 feet.
The ore is sent to the concentration mill, from whence the dressed ore is forwarded to the smelting department. The number of workpeople employed in February, 1901, was as follows:
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … |
|
|
3,047
|
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … |
|
|
227
|
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … |
|
|
2,161
|
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … |
|
|
560
|
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … |
|
|
344
|
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … |
|
|
6,339 |
hands.
|
The smelting department is situated within the mine precincts, and the monthly amount of copper turned out is about 920,000 catties. The number of hands employed in this department is 719.
The most modern and varied machines are employed in mining, dressing, and smelting the ore.
In the practical application of electricity, as a motor both in and out of the mine, Ashio was the pioneer. The work was begun in 1887 and completed in 1889. Since then the electric power has come to be utilized for various kinds of work in the mine. The working of the Ashio Mine being above the water-level of the mountains, comparatively less total power is needed, and, there being numerous streams in the mountains, facilities are provided for obtaining motive power by leading the streams to suitable places for the driving of electric turbines. Thus, the power necessary for the general working of the mine, as well as the electric lighting and railways, is all furnished by the streams of the Ashio Mountains. In winter, however, it is necessary to employ steam-power, as the streams are frozen.
For the health of the workers employed in the mine, as well as for their education and provision against cases of sickness and accident, the mining department has established various institutions. At the mine itself there are three hospitals for the miners and officials. There are also two common schools for the education of their children. Besides this, there is a sum of money set aside for the assistance of the sick and of the