The following comparisons, which like all mine statistics must necessarily be accepted with reservation because of some dissimilarity of economic surroundings, are yet on sufficiently common ground to demonstrate the main issue,—that is, the bearing of inherent intelligence in the workmen and their consequent skill. Four groups of gold mines have been taken, from India, West Australia, South Africa, and Western America. All of those chosen are of the same stoping width, 4 to 5 feet. All are working in depth and with every labor-saving device available. All dip at about the same angle and are therefore in much the same position as to handling rock. The other conditions are against the white-manned mines and in favor of the colored. That is, the Indian mines have water-generated electric power and South Africa has cheaper fuel than either the American or Australian examples. In both the white-manned groups, the stopes are supported, while in the others no support is required.
| Group of Mines | Tons of Material Excavated over Period Compiled[5] | Average Number of Men Employed | Tons per Man per Annum | Cost per Ton of Material Broken | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colored | White | ||||
| Four Kolar mines[1] | 963,950 | 13,611 | 302 | 69.3 | $3.85 |
| Six Australian mines[2] | 1,027,718 | — | 1,534 | 669.9 | 2.47 |
| Three Witwatersrand mines[3] | 2,962,640 | 13,560 | 1,595 | 195.5 | 2.68 |
| Five American mines[4] | 1,089,500 | — | 1,524 | 713.3 | 1.92 |
[Footnote 1: Indian wages average about 20 cents per day.]
[Footnote 2: White men's wages average about $3 per day.]
[Footnote 3: About two-fifths of the colored workers were negroes, and three-fifths Chinamen. Negroes average about 60 cents, and Chinamen about 45 cents per day, including keep.]
[Footnote 4: Wages about $3.50. Tunnel entry in two mines.]
[Footnote 5: Includes rock broken in development work.
In the case of the specified African mines, the white labor is employed almost wholly in positions of actual or semi-superintendence, such as one white man in charge of two or three drills.
In the Indian case, in addition to the white men who are wholly in superintendence, there were of the natives enumerated some 1000 in positions of semi-superintendence, as contractors or headmen, working-gangers, etc.]
One issue arises out of these facts, and that is that no engineer or investor in valuing mines is justified in anticipating lower costs in regions where cheap labor exists.