The Daily Dispatch: December 21, 1865., [Electronic resource]

Few persons are aware of the mineral wealth of Great Britain, as it is disclosed by official statistics recently published. The annual production of coal has reached the enormous quantity of ninety-three millions of tons annually. The product of iron ore in England, in 1864, was 10,064,890 tons. This amount proving insufficient for home consumption, 75,194 tons of iron were imported that year. The number of blast furnaces is six hundred and twelve, producing 4,767,951 tons of pig iron. The pig iron exported was 465,951 tons; all the rest was converted into merchantable iron, at one hundred and twenty-seven iron works, where six thousand two hundred and sixty-two puddling furnaces were employed. The number of rolling mills in use last year was six hundred and twelve.

In 1864 there were raised from the mines of Corn wall and Devonshire 15,211 tons of tin ore, the largest quantity from very deep mines. This produced of metallic tin 10,108 tons. 204,604 tons of copper were obtained in 1864, producing more than 13,000 tons of metallic copper. In addition to this, the smelters imported 67,263 tons of ore, and 14,824 tons of copper, brass, &c., from the colonies and other countries. There was, in 1864, an increase in the production of lead--94,433 tons of lead ore, principally , were dressed, sold and smelted. This produced 91,283 tons of lead, and gave 641,088 ounces of silver. Of zinc ores, nearly all being the sulphide of zinc, 15,047 tons were mined, producing 4,040 tons of metal. Even gold, though in small quantities, was obtained last year from five mines in England. By an improvement in the process of amalgamation, it is expected that the production of British gold will be considerably in creased during the current year. Nearly $200,000,000 was the aggregate value of British mineral treasure in 1864.

Fifteen years ago the annual production of coal in Great Britain was estimated at thirty millions of tons; the production of iron in the same year was about a million of tons; and the production of tin about four thousand tons. The mineral wealth of Great Britain, combined with its manufacturing and mechanical capacities, makes that country the work-shop of the world. But all the treasures of her mines are a drop in the bucket compared to the mineral wealth of this country. Virginia alone, if her mines were thoroughly worked and her water power fully employed, would be in herself another England.