Along the eastern exposure of the Andes

Along the eastern exposure of the Andes, occupying Mesozoic bordering on Cenozoic regions from Colombia southward, there is a little known, scarcely explored territory of vast extent where rumors of mineral wealth unknown reaches from time to time the outer world ; but on one side deep forests, and on the other towering mountains block the way to a country where there are indications that ore deposits as rich as any in the more accessible portions of this great range of mountains will be discovered. This range of lofty mountains with its intrusive masses, towering volcanoes and exposures of older sedimentary rocks, both the eastern and western slopes, and in fact all the Andean ranges occupy a country which should be watched and mining propositions from those regions should receive careful consideration; even the little known territory of Patagonia is worthy of attention, and some reports of truly remarkable mineral deposits have come from that far off and litte explored country. The plains of Argentine, and of the selvas of the Amazon offer little prospect for mineral, though coal and petroleum may be important, for there are indications worth exploring which are frequently reported, especip'oring which are frequently reported, especially in those portions of the plains and selvas nearer the Andean ranges.

In the great uplands of Brazil, of ancient formation, are the well-known diamond deposits with gold and rare minerals, offering an attractive field for exploration, and acquisition. These mountains are broken by intrusions of more recent development and often mineral bearing, but are most celebrated for their diamond deposits. North of these mountains come all the swamps of the Amazon, a vast stretch of country where no mining interests can be expected, but further north and bordering, one side on the swamp country and the other side on the Caribbean Sea, is a vast region of ancient mountains, in the Guiana, Venezuela and eastern Colombia; here among the ancient schists there are gold deposits, and in the gravels accumulated from them are placer mines, which have become celebrated. In these regions every mineral may be expected and there is good reason why one should keep watch of discoveries and offerings made from this section. Accessible it is, but there are many difficulties and slow development must be expected, especially in Venezuela where till the political conditions improve it is hardly safe even to own property. In Colombia the conditions are very different, and the universal testimony of those who own property in that country is that titles are safe, and property is protected even during revolutions; hence from Colombia one can watch with special interest for reports of mineral discoveries, and anything from that country in the form of mining propositions deserves careful consideration.

The Caribbean regions, the West India Islands, north of South America are mostly but poor in mineral deposits, though in Cuba there are some great mines; but also many smaller deposits which may be the cause of serious loss; yet Cuba presents some very attractive propositions, and offerings from that country should be investigated. Reports say that Hayti and the Dominican Republic are rich in minerals; these Republics are of apparently of the same formation as Cuba, intrusion hills, limestone accumulations and clay plains, with, it is reported, mineral developments among the mountains.

In this chapter the principal mining regions of the world have been given in brief outline, and among some of them indications are such that reports of mineral discoveries should be watched; but a' wise investor, knowing how great an opportunity may be had through investing in a mine, will investigate every proposition which may be presented to him from whatever region; and if he investigates with proper care he will in time obtain some acquisitions which will compensate for all the labor expended on the many propositions from all parts of the world which he must study and reject in order to obtain one good mining investment.