The Blue Ridge Mountains have a long and rich geologic history with rocks dating back over a billion years. As a result of multiple orogenies and continental rifting events, the rock units today feature a unique combination of highly metamorphosed schists, gneisses, and pegmatitic igneous deposits. The region is also a host to a plethora of precious gems, especially garnets and corundum, clays, and metals that formed in these geological settings and are commonly used in art. Listed below are several examples of local mines that tap into these reserves.
Ore Knob Mine (1850-1962) “The Ore Knob mine has been a major producer of copper in North Carolina, and was one of the largest producers of copper in the Eastern States during the 1870's” (Kinkel, 1967). Underground mining was the primary mining method used and large tailings piles were left on the surface which leached into surface water. The EPA listed the mine as a Superfund Site in 2009 due to continuous surface water, groundwater, sediment, and soil contamination.
Spruce Pine Mining District Spruce Pine is the source of the world’s highest purity quartz, located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. It also features large reserves of mica, kaolin, and feldspar. The Quartz Corporation began mining there in 1957 and continues large-scale surface mining operations today.
Crabtree Emerald Mine Crabtree Emerald Mine is a historic mine in Mitchell County. Underground shaft mining operations began in July 1894 by J.L. Rorison and D.A. Bowman and several other companies have commercially mined there since. The mine is currently open to the public for gem panning. Jewelry made of gems found at the site can be bought at the nearby shops in Little Switzerland. Gems cut from the quartz pegmatites were also typically shaped into cabochons known as “emerald matrices.”
Made by the Pet Rocks: Sam, Angie, Olivia, George, and Zach.