There Would Not Be Much Difficulty In Working The Coal.
The Lofubu Is About 60 Yards Broad; It Flows Perennially,
And At Its Very Lowest Period, Which Is After September,
There Is Water About 18 Inches Deep, Which Could Be Navigated
In Flat-Bottomed Boats.
At the time of my visit it was full,
and the current was very strong.
If the small cataract referred to
were to be avoided, the land-carriage beyond would only be about two miles.
The other seams farther up the river may, after passing the cataract,
be approached more easily than that in the Muatize; as the seam, however,
dips down into the stream, no drainage of the mine would be required,
for if water were come to it would run into the stream.
I did not visit the others, but I was informed that there are seams
in the independent native territory as well as in that of the Portuguese.
That in the Nake is in the Banyai country, and, indeed,
I have no doubt but that the whole country between Zumbo and Lupata
is a coal-field of at least 2-1/2 Deg. of latitude in breadth,
having many faults, made during the time of the igneous action.
The gray sandstone rock having silicified trees lying on it
is of these dimensions. The plantation in which the seam of coal exists
would be valued among the Portuguese at about 60 dollars or 12 Pounds,
but much more would probably be asked if a wealthy purchaser appeared.
They could not, however, raise the price very much higher,
because estates containing coal might be had from the native owners
at a much cheaper rate.
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