The quality of Sarawak gold varies with the locality in which it is found. Thus Marup gold at $32 to $34 per bongkal according to the supply, Sadong gold at $26, whilst Paku gold is quoted at $28 per bongkal, the difference being estimate by the whiteness of the metal which is dependent on the amount of silver existing in natural alloy with it. No scientific analysis has been made of Sarawak gold so far as I am aware, but it would doubtless be very similar in result to the analysis of Bornean gold given by Crawfurd, which I have taken the liberty of transcribing below, as bis valuable work has long been out of print.
| Name of gold taken from the district which produces it. |
Country where situated. | In 100 parts of gold dust. | Gold. | Silver. | copper | Silver and copper | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dross. | Metal. | ||||||
| Gold of Ombak ... | Borneo. | 3.75 | 96.25 | 88.10 | 8.51 | 3.80 | 11.81 |
| Gold of„ Sanga ... | Borneo.ditto. | 4.96 | 93.04 | 90.97 | 3.65 | 3.38 | 9.03 |
| Gold of„ Lara ... | Borneo.ditto. | 3.83 | 96.17 | 86.11 | 5.90 | 7.99 | 13.89 |
| Gold of„ Banjar Laut ... | Borneo.ditto. | 2.66 | 97.34 | 90.45 | 4.34 | 5.21 | 9.33 |
| Gold of„ Pontianak ... | Borneo.ditto. | 14.05 | 85.95 | 82.99 | 16.14 | 0.87 | 17.01 |
| Gold of„ Jambi ... | Sumatra. | 5.47 | 94.53 | 91.84 | 8.16 | ||
| Gold of„ Sambas ... | Borneo. | 9.00 | 91.00 | 83.68 | 16.32 | ||
| Gold of„ Palembang ... | Sumatra. | 2.11 | 97.89 | 98.75 | 6.25 | ||
| Gold of„ Montradok ... | Borneo. | 12.02 | 87.98 | 84.09 | 15.91 | ||
The dust brought to market in Kuching is generally unadulterated, as the mysteries of galvanic gilding are as yet unknown there. There is little risk in purchasing if ordinary care be exercised.
With regard to the annual produce of gold in the Territory, there are no reliable data for even approximating the total amount produced. Mr. Low of Labuan—whose work, in spite of its being somewhat out of date, is the most trustworthy yet written on Sarawak—places the yearly export of gold from the Territory at 7000 ounces. Although nominally all gold carried out of the country must be declared, it is beyond doubt that quite as much leaves Sarawak in a private way as is declared to the Export Office in Kuching, while a still more considerable portion of the annual out port is bought up and remains in the country, without in any way showing in the trade returns. The same remark will apply to the produce of diamonds; and in the "Summary of Exports" given below it must be borne in mind that the figures are purely nominal, and represent amounts certainly far below the minimum value of even the annual export of these two minerals—much more so of the net annual produce.
