(Morning Herald—March 21, 1838)

These mines are situated at Cobre, near Santiago de Cuba, in the Island of Cuba, and were denounced under the scientific assistance of an experienced Cornish mining captain ; each mine being 200 Spanish varas (or yards) in length, and 100 in breadth.

The contributors to the present capital are :—Mr. Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, Mr. Alexander Robertson, Mr. William Thompson, Mr. Michael Williams and Mr. Fletcher Wilson, and Mr. Augustin Ardoin, of Paris. The sanction of the authorities in the Island of Cuba and of the Queen’s Government in Spain, was in the first instance obtained. The undertaking was entered upon with the determination to advance a certain amount with the view to work these mines on a limited scale if it was found they could be so worked to advantage. The proprietors have made an outlay of £25,000 in sending out experienced persons, in opening works, in erecting dwellings, stores, dressing house, and workshops ; and in the purchase of cattle, materials, and other effects. The workings in some of the mines have been partially commenced, and carried on only to the extent requisite to acquire the legal right, and ascertain the course of the lodes. The proprietors have lately concentrated the greater part of their force upon the Mine La Descubierta, the vein considered to be a continuation of that of the White Mine.

The result of their working has been to bring 383 tons of copper ore to Swansea ; 200 tons more will be ready for shipment by the end of the present month, and will be brought home by a vessel sent out for it. The produce of the ore which has arrived and been sold, and the estimated produce of that unsold, will be as follows :—

• Per Cobrero—218 mining tons of 21cwt., producing 20¾ to 34 per cent. of copper….£4,590
• Per Mary Ann and Arabella—165 tons, producing 20⅞ to 29⅜ per cent. of copper, not yet sold, but estimated at….£3,100
• Per Naiad—200 tons, ready for shipment by the end of the present month ; estimated produce….£3,800

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