corundum, ruby, sapphire, Burma.12, India.12, gems, jade, fei cui, spinel

Heron surveys the mineral production of India during 1931, including Burma, through comparative accounts of output, valuation, foreign trade, mining activity, and mineral concessions. Commodities are divided into two groups according to the availability and reliability of annual statistics. The introduction explains that production by numerous independent small operators cannot be measured completely, although recurring returns may indicate broad industrial trends. It also cautions against treating changes in monetary value as direct measures of changes in physical output. The total recorded value of mineral production fell from approximately £19.76 million in 1930 to £17.74 million in 1931, reflecting widespread contraction during the economic depression. Major declines affected mica, manganese ore, zinc concentrates, silver, lead, tin, building materials, copper, iron ore, and coal, while petroleum, gold, and salt increased in recorded value. Mineral concessions granted during the year also declined, indicating reduced prospecting and private geological enterprise. Individual commodity sections combine statistical tables with descriptions of mines, operating conditions, and commercial developments. For gemological purposes, the principal accounts concern diamonds, Burmese fei cui, and the ruby, sapphire, and spinel industry of Mogok. Diamond production in Central India fell to 639 carats, with Panna State contributing the largest share and smaller quantities coming from Charkhari and Ajaigarh. Reported Burmese fei cui production increased substantially, from 1,499 to 2,765 hundredweight, accompanied by a marked rise in valuation. Heron nevertheless stresses the incompleteness of production returns and considers export statistics an alternative indication of the industry’s scale. The Mogok account reviews the prolonged deterioration of organized gemstone mining and attributes the sharp reduction recorded in 1931 to the cessation of operations by Burma Ruby Mines, Limited. Local miners continued working, but reliable statistics for their production were unavailable. Further sections cover agate, amber, beryl, corundum, garnet, and other ornamental and industrial minerals. Concluding regional tables document prospecting licences, mining leases, and quarry leases, connecting the production survey with the administration of mineral exploration and extraction.