The Mahd Al Thahab gold mine in Hejaz

[Saudi Arabia]. Mahd ahd Dhahab Gold Mine Saudi-Arabia.

Mahd adh Dhahab, ca. 1940s-1950s.

Oblong 4to (240 x 168 mm). Photo album with 9 original black-and-white silver gelatin prints, mostly 125 x 180 mm. With English captions mounted on verso of the photographs as well as on the opposite pages. 8 blank ff. Contemporary half cloth over cardboard with title label mounted to front cover.

 9,500.00

Notable collection of historic images of the Mahd Al Thahab gold mine in the province of Al-Madinah, in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. Photographs show the mining complex including the crushing plants, mills and storage tanks, as well as the camp with warehouses, shops, schools, hospital buildings, a mosque, and the living quarters of the Emir of Mahad. The last picture depicts the staff and office buildings at Jeddah.

Mining activities in the area date back to 961 BC, and the Mahd adh Dhahab deposit was rediscovered in 1932 by K. S. Twitchell. The Saudi Arabian Mining Syndicate (SAMS), a joint venture between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the American Smelting and Refining Company, started production in 1939, treating at first mainly the ancient tailings. SAMS produced 22 tonnes of gold and 28 tonnes of silver up to 1954.

Extremities slightly rubbed.