DOCSLIB.ORG

Gold Mining in the Carolinas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Gold Mining in the Carolinas Gold Mining in the Carolinas A CONTEXT FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Report submitted to: Haile Gold Mine, Inc. • 7283 Haile Gold Mine Road • Kershaw, South Carolina 29067 Report prepared by: New South Associates • 6150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue • Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 Natalie Adams Pope – Principal Investigator Brad Botwick – Archaeologist and Author March 31, 2012 • Final Report New South Associates Technical Report 2053 i Gold Mining in the Carolinas Abstract Gold mining was a significant early industry in North This context was written as a part of mitigation of and South Carolina. The first commercial gold mines Archaeological Site 38LA383, the Stamp Mill at Haile in the United States were in North Carolina, and the Gold Mine. The purpose of this context is to provide development of the mining industry led to important guidance for archaeological studies of gold mining developments in the region’s economy, settlement, in the Carolinas, regardless of whether it is related to industry, and landscape. Although a moderate number compliance with Federal laws, heritage studies, or of cultural resources relating to the Carolina gold academic research. This context can be used to aid mining industry have been identified, there has been researchers in making National Register evaluations little archaeological research into it to date. Most of under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation the research has been completed for compliance or Act but does not dictate mitigation efforts or actions, heritage projects, and site identification and evaluation which are negotiated on a case by case basis for eligible has been hindered by the lack of a comprehensive properties. It should be noted that any mitigation efforts historic context. should be proportionate to the undertaking and provide sufficient flexibility to allow for a variety of creative This document comprises a first step towards mitigation options. providing such a context. It contains an overview of the Carolina gold mining industry that discusses its Since the discovery of gold on the Haile property, the historic development and significance. Also included mine has been opened and closed numerous times. is a description of the procedures used for mining and This has compromised the integrity of historic mining handling gold ore in the Carolinas from the nineteenth to features that may have otherwise contained research early twentieth centuries to help researchers understand potential. The Stamp Mill is the only known recorded the specific functions of individual cultural resources. mining feature that has been determined worthy of The document also provides descriptions of property further study. This context as well as an archaeological types expected at historic gold mines in the region. documentation report produced by New South A literature review describes the past gold mining in Associates satisfies a Memorandum of Agreement the Carolinas and explores how archaeologists have between the South Carolina State Historic Preservation approached the evaluation and study of gold mine sites Office and Haile Gold Mine. in the region thus far. Finally, the document presents recommendations for survey and documentation followed by specific guidelines for evaluating the National Register of Historic Places significance of gold mining sites in the Carolinas. iii Gold Mining in the Carolinas Table of Contents AbSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................................. i TAbLe OF CONTeNTS ............................................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF FIGUReS ..................................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF tabLeS ...................................................................................................................................................... vii I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................1 II. PHySICAL eNvIRONMeNT OF GOLD IN THe CAROLINAS ...............................................................................3 Description and Properties of Gold ....................................................................................................................3 Physiographic Context of Gold in the Carolinas .................................................................................................3 Geology of Gold in the Carolinas ........................................................................................................................5 Gold Deposits .....................................................................................................................................................7 III. HISTORIC CONTexT: GOLD MINING IN THe CAROLINAS ................................................................................9 Discovery and early Development .....................................................................................................................9 expansion and Climax of the Gold Mining Industry .........................................................................................11 Revival and Decline ..........................................................................................................................................18 Iv. MINING AND Metallurgy OF GOLD .............................................................................................................23 Prospecting .......................................................................................................................................................23 extraction ..........................................................................................................................................................24 beneficiation .....................................................................................................................................................28 Mechanical Methods ..................................................................................................................................29 Amalgamation ............................................................................................................................................31 breaking and Crushing ........................................................................................................................31 Stamp Mills...........................................................................................................................................33 Concentrating .............................................................................................................................................36 Hydrometallurgy ................................................................................................................................................39 Chlorination ................................................................................................................................................39 Roasting ...............................................................................................................................................39 Chlorination Procedure ........................................................................................................................41 Cyanide ................................................................................................................................................43 Gold Mining Practice ........................................................................................................................................44 v. GOLD MINING PROPerty TyPeS......................................................................................................................47 Prospecting and extraction Property Types ............................................................................................................48 Placer Mining ...........................................................................................................................................................48 Hard Rock/Lode/vein Mining ......................................................................................................................50 iv Processing ........................................................................................................................................................53 Ancillary Mining Property Types .......................................................................................................................55 Structures ...................................................................................................................................................55 Transportation Features ..............................................................................................................................56 Water Conveyance Systems .......................................................................................................................57 Mining Community Property Types ...................................................................................................................57 Domestic Structure Remains ......................................................................................................................57
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mines An~ Mf 1Terals of Ulllasbf Ngton
    I I I I I t I t I I t I I I I l I l I I t I I I I I I t • I I I I I I f Mines an~ Mf1terals of Ulllasbf ngton . • A~AL REPORT or GEORGE A. BETHUNE, FIRST STATE GEOLOGIST. OT.Y~rT'lA, \V A!':IT.: O. C. WOITE, tiTAT.E .PRINT.ER, 1801. I I t I I I t I I I I I I ' I f I I f I I I t I I t I f I I I I I t I I Tacoma, Wash.) Jan. ..............................1 891. To ······-·····-·················································-·····························.··········· I take pleasure in presenting this, the first annual report upon the Mines and Minerals of Washington. Yours very truly, GEO. A... BETHUNE, ~ First State Geologist. Mines anb Minerals of Ulllasbington . • ANNUAL REPORT OF GEORGE A . BETHUNE, FIRST STATE GEOL OGIST. OLYMPIA, WASU.: O. C. WU I TE, STATE PRI NTER. 1891. • ANNUAL REPORT. 'l'o his Excellency, Ct1ARU:S E. LAUG HTON, Governor·, and tlie lion­ orable, the membm·s of the Seri ate and House of Rep1·esentatives of the State of Washington: G~NTLEMEN- Herewitb find my annual report, as the first ~tate geologist of the State of Washington. In submitting this report for your consideration, and possibly for dissemination throughout the state, I beg leave first to call your attention to the following facts: By act of the legislature, the first to convene in this state, the office of which I have the honor to be the possessor, was created in March, 1890, and my appointment as state geologist and con­ firmation by the senate followed shortly thereafter.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pharaohs' Gold: Ancient Egyptian Metallurgy
    THE PHARAOHS' GOLD: ANCIENT EGYPTIAN METALLURGY TI n an age when mining is conducted on an lode country increased in size and scale, the clam­ industrial scale through the use of explosives, or for more efficient means of processing ores huge draglines, and enormous ore-carriers, there grew ever more strident and in response to this is a tendency to forget that mining was, and is, an demand milling processes grew increasingly activity involving the concerted efforts of human sophisticated. Greever notes that California's beings. In his depiction of mining activities in hardrock miners first relied on arrastras and California's nineteenth-century gold fields, Chilean mills to reduce their ores. When these William S. Greever in The Bonanza West: The Story devices failed to provide satisfactory returns of the Western Mining Frontier, 1848-1900 calls to California's argonauts then began to employ mind the human factor involved in the extraction stamp mills to process their gold ores.3 of ore from beneath the earth's surface: The processes underlying the operation of a stamp mill had changed little in the centuries [T)he deepest shafts in California leading up to the California gold rush.4 Greever quartz mining went down ... about compares the basic function of a stamp to that of a three hundred feet; often a deposit was pharmacist's mortar and pestle. In its simplest worked by a tunnel into a hillside or application, a stamp was dropped repeatedly on a even an open cut. The men used hand piece of metallic ore until the ore was reduced to drills, sledges, and a little black pow­ powder.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Tailings1
    A HISTORY OF MINERAL CONCENTRATION: A HISTORY OF TAILINGS1 by Timothy c. Richmond2 Abstract: The extraction of mineral values from the earth for beneficial use has been a human activity- since long before recorded history. Methodologies were little changed until the late 19th century. The nearly simultaneous developments of a method to produce steel of a uniform carbon content and the means to generate electrical power gave man the ability to process huge volumes of ores of ever decreasing purity. The tailings or waste products of mineral processing were traditionally discharged into adjacent streams, lakes, the sea or in piles on dry land. Their confinement apparently began in the early 20th century as a means for possible future mineral recovery, for the recycling of water in arid regions and/or in response to growing concerns for water pollution control. Additional Key Words: Mineral Beneficiation " ... for since Nature usually creates metals in an impure state, mixed with earth, stones, and solidified juices, it is necessary to separate most of these impurities from the ores as far as can be, and therefore I will now describe the methods by which the ores are sorted, broken with hammers, burnt, crushed with stamps, ground into powder, sifted, washed ..•. " Agricola, 1550 Introduction identifying mining wastes. It is frequently used mistakenly The term "tailings" is to identify all mineral wastes often misapplied when including the piles of waste rock located at the mouth of 1Presented at the 1.991. National mine shafts and adi ts, over- American. Society for Surface burden materials removed in Mining and Reclamation Meeting surface mining, wastes from in Durango, co, May 1.4-17, 1.991 concentrating activities and sometimes the wastes from 2Timothy c.
    [Show full text]
  • An Archaeological Inventory of Alamance County, North Carolina
    AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY OF ALAMANCE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA Alamance County Historic Properties Commission August, 2019 AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY OF ALAMANCE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA A SPECIAL PROJECT OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY HISTORIC PROPERTIES COMMISSION August 5, 2019 This inventory is an update of the Alamance County Archaeological Survey Project, published by the Research Laboratories of Anthropology, UNC-Chapel Hill in 1986 (McManus and Long 1986). The survey project collected information on 65 archaeological sites. A total of 177 archaeological sites had been recorded prior to the 1986 project making a total of 242 sites on file at the end of the survey work. Since that time, other archaeological sites have been added to the North Carolina site files at the Office of State Archaeology, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Raleigh. The updated inventory presented here includes 410 sites across the county and serves to make the information current. Most of the information in this document is from the original survey and site forms on file at the Office of State Archaeology and may not reflect the current conditions of some of the sites. This updated inventory was undertaken as a Special Project by members of the Alamance County Historic Properties Commission (HPC) and published in-house by the Alamance County Planning Department. The goals of this project are three-fold and include: 1) to make the archaeological and cultural heritage of the county more accessible to its citizens; 2) to serve as a planning tool for the Alamance County Planning Department and provide aid in preservation and conservation efforts by the county planners; and 3) to serve as a research tool for scholars studying the prehistory and history of Alamance County.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho
    History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho Victoria E. Mitchell Idaho Geological Survey Morrill Hall, Third Floor Staff Report 08-3 University of Idaho July 2008 Moscow, Idaho 83844-3014 History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho Victoria E. Mitchell Staff Reports present timely information for public distribution. This publication may not conform to the agency's standards. Idaho Geological Survey Morrill Hall, Third Floor Staff Report 08-3 University of Idaho July 2008 Moscow, Idaho 83844-3014 CONTENTS Introductory Note.. vii History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho. 1 Introduction. 1 Geology. 1 Ore Characteristics.. 16 History of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho. 18 Belshazzar Mine.. 18 Mountain Chief Mine.. 25 References. 51 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1. Location of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief mines, Boise County, Idaho.. 2 Figure 2. Boise Basin and area surrounding the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief mines. 3 Figure 3. Location of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief Mines, Boise County, Idaho.. 4 Figure 4. Geology of the Belshazzar and Mountain Chief mines and vicinity, Boise County, Idaho.. 5 Figure 5. Sketch showing the underground features of the ore vein at the Belshazzar Mine.. 7 iii Figure 6. Sketch showing relationship of geologic features to the workings at the Mountain Chief Mine.. 8 Figure 7. Geologic map of the workings of the Belshazzar Mine in 1930. 10 Figure 8. Geologic map of the Quartzburg area, Boise Basin, Idaho.. 11 Figure 9. Geologic map of the workings of the Belshazzar Mine in 1932 or 1933.
    [Show full text]
  • NCGS Information Circular 21
    Information Circular GOLD RESOURCES OF NORTH CAROLINA by P. A. Carpenter, D oc ms C % Raleigh 1972 M : * L Revised 1978 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION The Geological Survey Section shall, by law "...make such examination, survey, and mapping of the geology, mineralogy, and topography of the state, including their industrial and economic utilization as it may consider necessary." In carrying out its duties under this law, the section promotes the wise conservation and use of mineral resources by industry, commerce, agriculture, and other governmental agencies for the general welfare of the citizens of North Carolina. The section conducts a number of basic and applied research projects in environmental resource planning, mineral resource exploration, mineral statistics, and systematic geologic mapping. Services constitute a major portion of the Section's activities and include identifying rock and mineral samples submitted by the citizens of the state and providing consulting services and specially prepared reports to other agencies that require geological information. The Geological Survey Section publishes results of research in a series of Bulletins, Economic Papers, Information Circulars, Education Series, Geologic Maps, and Special Publications. For a more complete list of publications or more information about the Section please write: Geological Survey Section, P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 26711. Jeffrey C. Reid Chief Geologist Cover Design — Gay Brantley CONTENTS Page Abstract 1 Introduction 1 Acknowledgements 1 Mineralogy
    [Show full text]
  • 150 Geologic Facts About California
    California Geological Survey - 150th Anniversary 150 Geologic Facts about California California’s geology is varied and complex. The high mountains and broad valleys we see today were created over long periods of time by geologic processes such as fault movement, volcanism, sea level change, erosion and sedimentation. Below are 150 facts about the geology of California and the California Geological Survey (CGS). General Geology and Landforms 1 California has more than 800 different geologic units that provide a variety of rock types, mineral resources, geologic structures and spectacular scenery. 2 Both the highest and lowest elevations in the 48 contiguous states are in California, only 80 miles apart. The tallest mountain peak is Mt. Whitney at 14,496 feet; the lowest elevation in California and North America is in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level. 3 California’s state mineral is gold. The Gold Rush of 1849 caused an influx of settlers and led to California becoming the 31st state in 1850. 4 California’s state rock is serpentine. It is apple-green to black in color and is often mottled with light and dark colors, similar to a snake. It is a metamorphic rock typically derived from iron- and magnesium-rich igneous rocks from the Earth’s mantle (the layer below the Earth’s crust). It is sometimes associated with fault zones and often has a greasy or silky luster and a soapy feel. 5 California’s state fossil is the saber-toothed cat. In California, the most abundant fossils of the saber-toothed cat are found at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
    [Show full text]
  • Promise Beheld and the Limits of Place
    Promise Beheld and the Limits of Place A Historic Resource Study of Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks and the Surrounding Areas By Hal K. Rothman Daniel Holder, Research Associate National Park Service, Southwest Regional Office Series Number Acknowledgments This book would not be possible without the full cooperation of the men and women working for the National Park Service, starting with the superintendents of the two parks, Frank Deckert at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Larry Henderson at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. One of the true joys of writing about the park system is meeting the professionals who interpret, protect and preserve the nation’s treasures. Just as important are the librarians, archivists and researchers who assisted us at libraries in several states. There are too many to mention individuals, so all we can say is thank you to all those people who guided us through the catalogs, pulled books and documents for us, and filed them back away after we left. One individual who deserves special mention is Jed Howard of Carlsbad, who provided local insight into the area’s national parks. Through his position with the Southeastern New Mexico Historical Society, he supplied many of the photographs in this book. We sincerely appreciate all of his help. And finally, this book is the product of many sacrifices on the part of our families. This book is dedicated to LauraLee and Lucille, who gave us the time to write it, and Talia, Brent, and Megan, who provide the reasons for writing. Hal Rothman Dan Holder September 1998 i Executive Summary Located on the great Permian Uplift, the Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns national parks area is rich in prehistory and history.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina by W
    .'.' .., Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie RUTILE GUMMITE IN GARNET RUBY CORUNDUM GOLD TORBERNITE GARNET IN MICA ANATASE RUTILE AJTUNITE AND TORBERNITE THULITE AND PYRITE MONAZITE EMERALD CUPRITE SMOKY QUARTZ ZIRCON TORBERNITE ~/ UBRAR'l USE ONLV ,~O NOT REMOVE. fROM LIBRARY N. C. GEOLOGICAL SUHVEY Information Circular 24 Mineral Collecting Sites in North Carolina By W. F. Wilson and B. J. McKenzie Raleigh 1978 Second Printing 1980. Additional copies of this publication may be obtained from: North CarOlina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Geological Survey Section P. O. Box 27687 ~ Raleigh. N. C. 27611 1823 --~- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION The Geological Survey Section shall, by law"...make such exami­ nation, survey, and mapping of the geology, mineralogy, and topo­ graphy of the state, including their industrial and economic utilization as it may consider necessary." In carrying out its duties under this law, the section promotes the wise conservation and use of mineral resources by industry, commerce, agriculture, and other governmental agencies for the general welfare of the citizens of North Carolina. The Section conducts a number of basic and applied research projects in environmental resource planning, mineral resource explora­ tion, mineral statistics, and systematic geologic mapping. Services constitute a major portion ofthe Sections's activities and include identi­ fying rock and mineral samples submitted by the citizens of the state and providing consulting services and specially prepared reports to other agencies that require geological information. The Geological Survey Section publishes results of research in a series of Bulletins, Economic Papers, Information Circulars, Educa­ tional Series, Geologic Maps, and Special Publications.
    [Show full text]
  • CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH PREOPENING California Gold Rush
    CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH PREOPENING California Gold Rush OCTOBER 1999 CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH PREOPENING DEN PACK ACTIVITIES PACK GOLD RUSH DAY Have each den adopt a mining town name. Many towns and mining camps in California’s Gold Country had colorful names. There were places called Sorefinger, Flea Valley, Poverty Flat (which was near Rich Gulch), Skunk Gulch, and Rattlesnake Diggings. Boys in each den can come up with an outrageous name for their den! They can make up a story behind the name. Have a competition between mining camps. Give gold nuggets (gold-painted rocks) as prizes. Carry prize in a nugget pouch (see Crafts section). For possible games, please see the Games section. Sing some Gold Rush songs (see Songs section). As a treat serve Cheese Puff “gold nuggets” or try some of the recipes in the Cubs in the Kitchen section. For more suggestions see “Gold Rush” in the Cub Scout Leader How-to Book , pp. 9- 21 to 9-23. FIELD TRIPS--Please see the Theme Related section in July. GOLD RUSH AND HALLOWEEN How about combining these two as a part of a den meeting? Spin a tale about a haunted mine or a ghost town. CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH James Marshall worked for John Augustus Sutter on building a sawmill on the South Fork of the American River near the area which is now the town of Coloma. On January 24, 1848, he was inspecting a millrace or canal for the sawmill. There he spotted a glittering yellow pebble, no bigger than his thumbnail. Gold, thought Marshall, or maybe iron pyrite, which looks like gold but is more brittle.
    [Show full text]
  • Class G Tables of Geographic Cutter Numbers: Maps -- by Region Or
    G3862 SOUTHERN STATES. REGIONS, NATURAL G3862 FEATURES, ETC. .C55 Clayton Aquifer .C6 Coasts .E8 Eutaw Aquifer .G8 Gulf Intracoastal Waterway .L6 Louisville and Nashville Railroad 525 G3867 SOUTHEASTERN STATES. REGIONS, NATURAL G3867 FEATURES, ETC. .C5 Chattahoochee River .C8 Cumberland Gap National Historical Park .C85 Cumberland Mountains .F55 Floridan Aquifer .G8 Gulf Islands National Seashore .H5 Hiwassee River .J4 Jefferson National Forest .L5 Little Tennessee River .O8 Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail 526 G3872 SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC STATES. REGIONS, G3872 NATURAL FEATURES, ETC. .B6 Blue Ridge Mountains .C5 Chattooga River .C52 Chattooga River [wild & scenic river] .C6 Coasts .E4 Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area .N4 New River .S3 Sandhills 527 G3882 VIRGINIA. REGIONS, NATURAL FEATURES, ETC. G3882 .A3 Accotink, Lake .A43 Alexanders Island .A44 Alexandria Canal .A46 Amelia Wildlife Management Area .A5 Anna, Lake .A62 Appomattox River .A64 Arlington Boulevard .A66 Arlington Estate .A68 Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial .A7 Arlington National Cemetery .A8 Ash-Lawn Highland .A85 Assawoman Island .A89 Asylum Creek .B3 Back Bay [VA & NC] .B33 Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge .B35 Baker Island .B37 Barbours Creek Wilderness .B38 Barboursville Basin [geologic basin] .B39 Barcroft, Lake .B395 Battery Cove .B4 Beach Creek .B43 Bear Creek Lake State Park .B44 Beech Forest .B454 Belle Isle [Lancaster County] .B455 Belle Isle [Richmond] .B458 Berkeley Island .B46 Berkeley Plantation .B53 Big Bethel Reservoir .B542 Big Island [Amherst County] .B543 Big Island [Bedford County] .B544 Big Island [Fluvanna County] .B545 Big Island [Gloucester County] .B547 Big Island [New Kent County] .B548 Big Island [Virginia Beach] .B55 Blackwater River .B56 Bluestone River [VA & WV] .B57 Bolling Island .B6 Booker T.
    [Show full text]
  • The Gold Rush of 1849 and the Consequences - Homework
    The Gold Rush of 1849 and the Consequences - Homework Give two inferences you can make from this illustration about the Gold Rush in California in 1849. The Gold Rush of 1849 and the Consequences - Homework Another group to go west were the ‘forty-niners’ – gold miners seeking wealth after the discovery of gold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Prior to the discovery of gold, only 5,000 people had used the trail to head west. From 1849 onwards, tens of thousands used the trail in the hope of finding gold. Thousands more came by ship, especially from China. A rebellion and a famine there were push factors in making people leave. The population of California rocketed to nearly 250,000 by 1852. Date Population Feb 1849 54 Jan 1850 791 Dec 1850 4,000 Dec 1851 6,500 Dec 1852 25,000 Estimated Chinese Population figures for California Gold Ingots this size and weight was what every Panning for Gold in the streams of California prospector wanted to find! could yield much smaller sized pieces. Soon all the surface gold had gone and proper mining companies moved in to mine much deeper below ground to find gold. This meant individuals were very Some people only found small Most found nothing at all…. unlikely to ‘strike it flecks of gold. lucky’ after the early 1850s. The Gold Rush of 1849 and the Consequences - Homework The early mining settlements were just camps, they later developed into towns. They were often full of disappointed miners who had failed to make their fortunes.
    [Show full text]