SOUTH AMERICAN COALS.
Coal exists at various localities along the Pacific coast, from Russian America to Patagonia, and is now mined to a limited extent in Vancouver's Island, Washington Territory, Oregon, California, at Panama, in New Granada, and at the towns of Lota, Lotilla, and Coronel, in Chili. But all these coals are of later date than the true Carboniferous, and appear to be the production of periods from the Jurassic to the Tertiary. They are of all grades of the bituminous class, from the mineral pitch, or asphaltum, to the natural coke. The veins or seams are generally thin and unreliable, and subject to the imperfections natural to all coals of recent formations. But, under present circumstances, these deposits of coal are invaluable to the commerce of the Pacific.
The coal-mines of Panama are worked by several English and American companies almost exclusively for the use of the ocean-steamers of the Pacific. The coal is of a soft, bituminous character, and is much inferior to the English and our Cumberland steam coals.
Though coal exists at intervals along the entire Pacific coast, it is only worked at two prominent points south of California, viz.; Panama and at the Chilian mines in the northern portion of Araucania. The mines in Chili are located at the towns or bays of Lota, Lotilla,.and Coronel, which lie about 200 miles north of Valdivia. The coal area is comparatively extensive, but the seams are generally thin and frequently terminate abruptly. Their dip is irregular or undulating, and mining operations are
conducted by both shaft and drift. A considerable coal trade is done here, and sailing-vessels are constantly being laden for various ports on the Pacific, and passing steamers generally supply themselves here. The coal is soft, and burns rapidly with great flame and smoke, but leaves only a moderate residuum and makes no clinker. This coal costs about six dollars per ton on board ; while anthracite is now (1865) worth twenty dollars per ton in this part of the world.
The mines of Lota, are the most extensive, and produce about 10,000 tons per month under the management of experienced English miners. This is exclusive of the production of the Lotilla and Coronel mines, of which we have no data.
Of the coal of Brazil and the Atlantic slopes of South America but little is known, though it is said to exist in numerous localities, and the configuration of the interior basins would lead us to expect the existence of coal if the geological conditions are favorable.
We may anticipate many valuable results from the present scientific expedition of Prof. Agassiz and his party to South America. They visited the rich and magnificent region of the Amazon, equal, perhaps, to the great valley of the Mississippi, but which has hitherto been as a sealed book to science and the world.