The territory of the Republic contains numberless riches not worked out yet, in precious metals, in copper, iron, lead, etc., in agate stone, rock, crystal, slate, calcareous stone, marble of all colors, which could advantageously rival with the marbles of Italy and Pyrenean mountains.
Rich marble quarries exist in the department of Minas, which could not have been worked before on account of the difficulties for the transport, made easier and cheaper now days when the railway reaches to Minas 123 kilom. distant from the capital.
The Cunapiru gold region is now worked by the following societies:
Zapucay gold mines, with 20 crushing machines.
Uruguay gold fields, with 60 crushing machines.
Hermanos gold minings, with 20 crushing machines.
The French Uruguay gold mine company, the working of which is stopped for the present, has spent in the region mentioned more than three millions of dollars, and has established milldams in the rivers Cunapiru and Corrales so as to employ, for the grinding, a powerful hydraulic strength.
The working of the mines on a great scale is just beginning now without interruption.
During the last two years over 72,000 tons of quartz have been extracted and crushed, giving a result of over 420 kilog. of fine gold.
Mines of lead and copper and marble quarries are now worked in the departments of Minas and Maldonado.