Belgian Congo 87 MINERALS along the Nile - Congo watershed . A range of hills of almost pure hematite exists between the Ituri and Bomokandi rivers. The Welle region is specially rich in iron. Rich iron ores are also to be found in the neighbourhood of the Western Rift, in Katanga, and along the Zambezi -Congo watershed.

Kaolin is found in the coastal region, and is re ported to occur also near the junction of the Kwango and Kwilu (Juma ) rivers.

Lead . — Lead ore (galena ) has been found in several places - for example, near Matadi— occurring in quartz veins , though in small quantities.

Lime is known to exist in several regions, notably in Katanga, where it is needed chiefly for the manu facture of cement and for smelting purposes. Lime stone of fair quality appears in the rock formations near the River Luezi (Léopoldville) , and it has also been recorded in the cataract region, and in the district between the upper Kasai and Sankuru rivers .

Mica exists in the Ituri district, but the largest plates hitherto found are no more than 8 inches square.

Petroleum.–Mineral oil has not yet been discovered in paying quantities in the Congo.

Platinum associated with gold has been discovered . Salt. — Hot salt springs exist at several spots along the Western Rift and Tanganyika. Some of these are worked by the natives for salt.

Silver occurs in the Mayumbe district, and in Katanga.

Tin . - Katanga is also rich in tin. The metal was being successfully mined before the war, and the first shipments had been dispatched to Europe. The richest mine is the Muika mine at Kiambi on the Luvua river.

Uranium compounds have been found in the Kasai and other regions in conditions which are said to suggest the existence of veins of radio-active minerals.