Coal, following nitrates, is of the first importance among ordinary minerals, a source of large wealth though the production, about 1,700,000 tons yearly, is insufficient for the needs of the country. Little is therefore exported and a good deal is normally imported from Great Britain and Australia; until recently a little only from the United States. Most of the mines in operation, owned by ten companies, are near the ports of Talcahuano, Coronel, and Lota. The coal is not equal in quality to the British, but it has been used by steamships, railways, and mines with fair results. Coronel or Lota, five miles apart on Arauco Bay, one or the other, is a regular port of call for steamships. The Cousiño property at Lota was purchased in 1852 and later was conducted by the son’s widow, under her administration the greatest financial enterprise carried on by a Chilian. At her death she was called the richest woman in the world, leaving a property of $70,000,000. The capital of the company is $20,000,000. The mines are one-fourth of a mile deep and extend under the sea, where there is good rock and no drip. Here are streets, restaurants, offices, stalls for horses, blacksmith shops, etc.
A British Company, the Arauco, in addition to coal properties operates its own railway with 62 miles of main line and branches, besides mining spurs. It has four daily trains from Concepción to Lota, Coronel, and beyond, passing over the Bio-Bio River by a bridge of 1¹⁄₄ miles, the longest in South America. Of coal about 1¹⁄₂ million tons are produced and as much more is imported.
Petroleum is believed by Chilians to exist in large quantities, but the present development is infantile. It has been found in southern Chile, on the Island of Chiloé and in the Patagonas district, as well as in the north near the Bolivian frontier. Large quantities are imported principally from Peru, normally about 400,000 tons a year. Oil recently found in the Magallanes Territory is stated by experts to be equal in quality to that found in Argentina. The extent of the deposits seems to rival that of the famous fields of Comodoro Rivadavia. Legislation to regulate the well drilling is proposed to prevent inundation of deposits by subterranean streams, to restrict the ownership to native Chilians or foreigners with Chilian families, and to secure to the Government a 10 per cent royalty. A strong flow of petroleum of great purity from a well about 300 feet deep has recently been reported from Chiloé.
Sulphur comes from a largely producing mine at the foot of Mt. Ollague, and from one of growing importance at Tacora on the Arica-La Paz Railway. The deposits of Tacora are believed to contain 10 to 45 million tons of sulphur. In 1915 about 10,000 tons were produced in Chile.
Salt. From various salt deposits, the salinas of Punta de Lobos and several mountain lagoons, about $300,000 worth of salt was produced, supplying the domestic market.
Borax is important, Chile furnishing about half of the world supply.
Agriculture
Of large importance and value are the agricultural interests including fruit, although the imports of such products are nearly double the exports in value. About one eighth of the area of Chile consists of arable land. The production should be greatly increased. Twenty million acres are still available, and with better methods excellent results might be secured. In 1914-15 about 25,000,000 bushels of wheat were raised, half as many potatoes, and more than half as much hay; besides barley, oats, beans, corn, etc. Considerable wheat is exported with some barley, oats, rye, and legumes. Of 15,000,000 acres suitable for wheat, only one fifth is in cultivation. It grows well from Aconcagua to Cautín inclusive, but farther south the crops are uncertain. They average 15-20 bushels an acre. Six hundred thousand acres are devoted to alfalfa, which in favorable places gives three crops a year and has roots ten feet long, a distinctive variety being formed here. In irrigated valleys from Coquimbo north, corn gives two fine crops annually. Potatoes flourish from Concepción south, in Chiloé yielding 250-350 bushels to the acre. Flax and sugar beets might be raised. Some agricultural machines are now employed, in the neighborhood of 30,000.
Fruit. Delicious fruits of all temperate zone varieties and some of the subtropical are raised, chiefly for home consumption, but with export possibilities. Drying and canning of these is practised to some extent, but might be done on a much larger and more profitable scale. Excellent table grapes are raised; many vineyards devote their product to wine making, the industry being especially developed in the Provinces of Santiago, O’Higgins, and Colchagua. In the north, wine is made of the port and sherry classes; in the central section light wines of excellent quality, some of which are exported to the neighboring countries. More wine however is imported of expensive varieties. The vineyards are in general owned by natives, and according to location are worth $200-$1000 an acre. Raisins are produced in quantity.