Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received information upon the number of African mine-owners in the Gold Coast and Nigeria, and those who hold mining prospecting rights and licences?
Mr. M. MacDonaldYes, Sir. With the exception of one case where a mine-owner has installed a portable diamond-washing plant, there are no African mine-owners in the Gold Coast who carry on mining by the use of modern machinery and modern methods. There are, however, a number of chiefs who exploit crude surface diggings on their own land, or permit other Africans to do1216W so on tribute, in accordance with native custom. Up to 10th August, 1939, prospecting licences had been issued to 36 Africans in the Gold Coast. In Nigeria six prospecting rights and seven mining leases were held by Africans or African-owned syndicates on the 14th July, 1939. No mining rights or exclusive prospecting licences were then so held. These are the latest dates up to which full information is available.