Large number of quartzite reefs

It is not so easy to form a judgment as to the alleged mineral wealth of Bulgaria. I am assured that the Balkan Mountains contain a large number of quartzite reefs; alluvial gold is also found in some of the mountain streams. There is ample evidence of the existence of gold, silver, copper, and other minerals in the country. But as the regions in which these minerals are supposed to be located have never been really prospected, it is impossible to say whether the metals in question are to be found in paying quantities or could be extracted at a price which would leave a profit.

It is certain, however, that both iron and coal are to be found in large quantities throughout the country. If these minerals could not be obtained else-where, Bulgaria could provide a more than sufficient supply of coal and iron for her own use out of her own soil. There are a few coal and iron mines already at work, which do fairly well, and would do much better with larger capital, better machinery, and improved facilities of transport. The coal from the State colliery of Pemik is sold in Sofia at about ten francs a ton.

Like slag than English coal

It is of inferior quality, and is more like slag than English coal; still it throws out great heat, and has completely driven out the use of wood fires in the Capital In those parts of the country, however, which are not close to a railway, the cost of coal, owing to the difficulty of transport, is so great that it is very little used. As the country is opened up by the various railroads now in course of construction, the freight for coal from the seaports must obviously become materially cheaper; and I am not quite certain whether the coal of Bulgaria is of sufficiently good quality to stand competition with English coals, which might easily be brought into the country if the rates of inland freight from the sea-coast did not virtually prohibit their importation.