Not required for students of EPS2

The Mogok Stone Tract - Myanmar (Burma)

An example of a region producing rubies: History

• possibly the oldest source of fine rubies
• earliest records of mining ~ 6th Century

Kun-Lung, son of the founder of the Chinese Shan Dynasty, sent about 7 lb of rubies to the central government each year.

• reports from 15th century from European travellers, who reported that the King's idols were covered in rubies
• Burmese monarchy took over in 1597 - stones over a certain size (value 2000 Rupees) were automatically the property of the King.
• 1780s: the King sent thousands of captives to work in the mines where conditions were terrible (unhealthy)- miners were worked to death.
• 1860s: workers were beset by gangs of fierce robbers, abuses of the miners continued.
• 1885: King appointed a Governor to collect about 16,000 pounds p.a.

Daily raids of villages, many travellers robbed and murdered

• King negotiated to lease mines to French. Mines were a factor in annexation of Burma by British in 1886.
  • Bond Street Jeweller obtained rights to mines and floated "Burma Ruby Mines Ltd".
• British Government was to receive ~ 300,000 pounds p.a. plus 30%
• native miners allowed to continue to mine using primative methods ... had to pay 30% of value of finds to Government.
• smuggling of actual finds destroyed the attempt of the British Government to regulate ruby prices

- Surveys revealed that most ruby-bearing gravels were under water-logged valleys and under the town of Mogok.

• the town was dismantled and moved.
• heavy mining equipment was imported with great difficulty
• earth removed from grass to bedrock... dirt trucked to washing mill

- 1908: Synthetic ruby appeared on the market:

• caused panic
• Depression(s) and Wars... the Mining company finally surrendered the lease in 1931.

- Post WW2: Mining reverted to native enterprises and recently, recommenced with modern mechanized equipment.