Just two random and unconnected thoughts.
I have a wonderful 19th century print (unknown source - but possibly something like Harper's) entitled 'Chinese Miners - Upper Yang-tze Highlands' - believed to be gold miners. I am quite happy to send copies for P&P if anyone is interested.
There is a detailed chapter on Chinese mine workers in South Africa in Richard Dawe's book 'Cornish Pioneers in South Africa' entitled 'The Chinese Episode 1900-10' with 64,000 coming between 1904-8. All this created problems for continued Cornish employment, and considerable resentment. By implication, it seems that these were not normally experienced miners, but unskilled workers attracted by short term contracts. This reminds me of the indentured labourers brought from SE Asia (mostly Indian sub-continent, but a few from China) into Trinidad to work on the plantations once slavery was abolished 1834 onwards. A considerable proportion never returned at the end of the contract, usually findng new opportunities in the commercial sector.
Lynne Mayers
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