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Home , Beryl, Topaz

Vol. 29 February 1983 No. 1

LARGE GEM DISCOVERY

Wm. F. Giannini and D. Allen Penick, Jr.

A large topaz crystal was found in Vir- and 0.38 mile along a woods road north of ginia, Septen-kr 14, 1982 (Figure 1). The State Route 716 (Figure 2). crystal, believed to be the largest gem The 8.9-pound crystal measures 10.9 quality topaz crystal found in North inches long by 3.5 inches thick and has a Amrica, was discovered by veteran virtually flawless, transparent, colorless collector, Peter McCrery of Richmmd, Vir- interior. It is terminated on one end and ginia. This magnificent mineral specimen broken along a basal plane on the was found in the dump of the Herbb No. 2 other. The crystal contains two small liquid mine in -tan County. The mine, lo- inclusions that are probably carbon dioxide cated on the Fine Creek Mills 7.5-minute based on previous studies of inclusions in quadrangle, is 23.95 miles by road west of topaz (Schlegel, 1957). Richmnd, 3.95 miles northeast of Flat Rock Subsequent finds at the Herbb No. 2 by

N HERBB N0.2 8 MINE

Figure 1. Gem quality topaz crystal weighing 8.9 pounds discovered Sept. 14, 1982, at the Herbb No. 2 Figure 2. Location map of the Herbb No. 2 mine; Pm- mica mine, Pahatan County, Virginia. hatan Cmty. VIRGINIA DIVISION OF M3CNERAL RESCUE3 Vol. 29

VERTICAL SECTION AA'

VERTICAL SECTION 00'

VERTICAL SECTION CC'

Pegmatite rich in coarse microcline; a concentration upper pattern for buff-colored, Injected biotite gneiss

Ifj rich in cleavelondite ..-:; - Contact, showing dip (partly kaolinized) Contact between pegmatite units I':.'.I Pegmatite rich in masslve albite and kaolin - Edge of pit Massive 4 Strike and dip Of foliation Scrap mica Concentration 0 50 Feel

Mapped 1944, revised August 1944 and March 1945 Figure 3. Geologic map and sections of the Herbb No. 2 mine, Pahatan County. Discovery site of 8.9-pound gem topaz is indicated by star. (Mified after Brawn, 1962).

Peter mery and an owner of the mine, long, strikes N. 20' E., dips steeply east- Donald Richardson, include three large pieces ward and plunges southward (Figure 3). of clear, gamy, colorless to pale blue Cuartz, beryl, topaz, cleavelandite albite, topaz crystal weighing up to one pound that -, , spessartite were broken from the 8.9-pound topaz and gamet, weathered to more than 60 small pieces of transparent, kaolin, blue-green (amazonitel and buff to colorless, gem quality topaz believed to be perthite and biotite have been reported parks derived frm the larger crystal. The from this pegmatite (Brown, 1962; Dietrich, original crystal probably weighed around 12 1970; Griffitts and others, 1953; also note pounds (Pettinger, 1982) . They have also news release at the end of this publica- collected numerous of min- tion) . While mining the pegmatite in 1944, erals from the dump and frm the undisturbed Carl Fleming recavered a broken beryl crys- pqmtite. Tbm major mining cc~npanies have tal about 5 feet long and 27 inches thick expressed an interest in the deposit because and part of another, weighing approximately of the presence of these . 300 pounds and measuring 14 inches by 20 The pgmatite body at the Herbb No. 2 mine inches (Brcwn, 1962). This specimen is was explored and briefly worked in 1944 by presently on display at the Virginia Divi- Carl Fleming of Colonial Hmss, Inc. , Rich- sion of Mineral Resources, Charlottesville, mond, Virginia. The deposit, very similar Virginia (Figure 4) . to the famxls Rutherford and Wrefield peg- The Fwhatan Land Company owns approxi- matite~near Amelia, Virginia, has a maxi- mately 170 acres containing the Herbb No. 2 nun thickness of 40 feet and is 240 feet mine. Donald Richardson, a ccanpany offi- COAL SEMINAR HELD

In 1980 mdsto 1.43 billion dollars worth of coal was produced in Virginia, rraking coal by far the mst valuable mineral resource produced in Virginia. Extensive coal reserves remain in the 75 or mre coal beds that either crop out in valleys or on hillsides or which are present in the sub- surface. A seminar was held on Novhr 10, 1982, dealing with developmnts in coal in Virginia during the past year. The met- ing was held on the Virginia Polytechnic In- stitute and State University (VPI&SU)campus Figure 4. Beryl crystal discovered by Carl Fleming at in Blacksburg, Virginia. One hundred nine- the Herbb No. 2 mine. The 300-pound speck is pres- teen people interested and/or involved in ently on display at the Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, (5arlottesville, Virginia. Virginia coal registered. Additionally, there were at least ten newspaper reporters cial, should be contacted by persons desir- and television crew nvrnbers on hand during ous of additional information concerning the much of the day. The seminar was sponsored gemny topaz crystal and the pegmatite, or by the Virginia Division of Mineral Resour- who wish to visit the Herbb No. 2 mine. His ces (VDMR) in Charlottesville and co-spon- mailing address is Route 5, Box 178, Pcwha- sored by the Virginia Center for Coal and tan, Virginia, 23139, and his phone n-r Energy Research (VCCER) in Blacksburg and is (804) 598-4031. The mention of the Herbb and the Virginia Coal Council (VCC) of Rich- No. 2 mine in this report does not give one lands, Virginia. permission to enter and collect without per- The seminar was called to order at 8: 30 mission of the cwner. It should be stressed a.m. in the Donaldson Brm Center for Con- that before attempting to collect any mate- tinuing Education at VPI&SU by D.P. Roselle, rials on private property, an individual Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. He should make himself knm to the owner and listed the several institutes that are in- obtain permission. Entering private proper- volved in coal-related studies and which ty without permission violates trespass laws support the Virginia Center for Coal and and is punishable under law. Energy Research. These include the Mining We wish to ackncwledge the follawing per- and Mineral Resources Research Institute, sons for their assistance prior to and dur- the Coal Institute, the Energy Institute, ing preparation of this article: Haward and the Extension and Information Institute. Freeland (photographs) , Peter McCrery , and R. e. Milici, State Geologist for Vir- Donald Richardson. ginia, reviewed coal research projects being carried on by the Virginia Division of Min- eral Resources (VDMR). These include a thorough sampling program of coal beds in Virginia, the mapping of 7.5-ininute quad- REFERENCES rangles in southwestern Virginia, drilling to study munts of mthane gas associated Brawn, W. R., 1962, Mica and feldspar depos- with coal beds, a survey of the nature and its of Virginia: Virginia Div. Mineral extent of southwestern Virginia coal resour- Resources, Mineral Resources Rept. 3. ces, and re-evaluation of the Valley coal fields in the Blacksburg area. Dietrich, R. V., 1970, Minerals of Virginia:, J. A. Henderson, geologist in charge of Virginia Polytech. Institute Research Di- the VDMR coal program, sumnarized recent vision Bull. 47. coal reserves and production figures in the southwestern part of Virginia. He described Pettinger, B., 1982, Spanning the Jams: areas of past production, namly the Valley Richnmnd Ths-Dispatch, Sunday, kt. 3, fields in Montgcmry County and the Triassic 1982, page H-4. basin in the Richmd area. He noted that all of Virginia production is now fmthe Schlegel, D. M., 1957, Gem stones of the Southwestem Virginia fields, including part : U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. or all of Buchanan, Tazewell, Dickenson, 1042-G. R~~ssell,Scott, Lee, and Wise counties. 4 VIRGINIA DMSION OF I!lDEmL RESouRCES Vol. 29

Ms. M. D. Carter, mnager of the National liminary feasibility of coal-slurry pipe- Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS) and Coal lines in Virginia. Yucel concluded "that caarmoaity Geologist for the U. S. Geological there are no extraordinary technical or en- Survey, described the requirerents and uses viromental problems associated with the of NCRDS which "provides on-line access to a concerned Virginia coal slurry pipeline. camnon data base containing location, quan- other PWxS presented in the afternoon tity, and physical and chemical character- included one by G.P. Wilkes, geologist, VDMR istics of coal and coal-related rocks. on the geologic setting and coal resources Areal data files contain published coal re- of the Ricbnd Triassic basin. He went on source and chemical data on an areal basis, to note that recoverable mthane in the such as state, county, township, or coal Ricbnd basin may be as high as 350 billion . Point source data files (e.g., field cubic feet, enough to supply Richmndlsgas observations, drill-hole logs) include geo- needs for many years to came. WiUceslspa- detic location (latitude/longitude); bed per was follaed by one by Ms. s. Wingfield thickness; thickness of overburden; mis- of the U. S. Dept. of Cmmrce who empha- ture; ash; sulfur; major-, minor, and trace- sized "a side of coal not normally covered elanent content; heat valhe; and character- in traditional presentations on coal or its istics of overburden, roof, and floor rocks. marketing: The effects of chemistry of coal N(3RD5 graphics programs manipulate the point on boiler design and operation." source data to produce coal-resources maps Sarne papers dealt with research. D. S. and coal-developnent-potential maps. " Walia of the United Coal Ccanpany described Substituting for J. Medlin, Chief of the the UCC1s research on combustion of a coal- USGS Branch of Coal Resources, Carter refer- water mixture. red further to the NCPDS data base, as well J. Amans, of the Consolidation Coal Compa- as to cooperative programs with state geo- ny described the cclmpany 's new No. 1 mine logical surveys, as, for instance, the USGS- near Grundy, Virginia. He concluded that WNR joint funding of geologic mapping of "despite the depressed state of metallurgi- 7.5-minute quadrangles in the coal-bearing cal coal markets, Consol is confident that areas of southwestern Virginia. demand will improve in future years. The M. Bartholamew, VDMR geologist, reviewed lowvol~coal fran the No. 1 mine is the the geologic setting and coal resources of best in the mrld, and by beginning develop- the Valley coal fields which lie in the ment now, we expct to be in good position Blacksburg area, east of the major mining to participate in future market growth. " operations in southwestern Virginia. Fairly Walter R. Hibbard, Jr. , Director, Virginia extensive mining was carried on in the Val- Center for Coal and Ehergy Research (VCCER) ley fields area, but thicker beds of coal sumoarized mtallurgical coal production and exposed in valley walls, and mre favorable exports for Virginia by concluding that "the structure have combined to damgrade the metallurgical coal market is presently an Valley fields in regard to their £ompro- erratic buyers market with mre production minence as coal-producing areas. capacity than demand and a grcwing sensitiv- C. B. Stanley and A. P. Schultz, VWR ge- ity to prices resulting from the unstable ologists, evaluated the possible signifi- mrld econclmic situation. Our national coal .. cance of methane in the Valley coal field suppliers, because of rising mine, railroad, (Montgomery County). Three core holes were port and shipping costs, now charge the drilled by WMR in the Bl&ksbmg area to highest worldwide delivery prices which will depths ranging fran 1110 to 1462 feet. Gas make this country a residual supplier and samples were collected and studied. Final possibly vulnerable to mre foreign im- results will be made available by the VDl.IR ports. I' as soon as the study is cmpleted. C. E. Bagge, President, National Coal Council, spoke after lunch to the seminar registrants and presented a strong staterfat in behalf of coal-slurry pipelines. The afternoon program was presided over by J. R. Lucas , Chairman, VPI&SU Mining and Minerals Engineering Departmnt who also described projected uses for the one-million-dollar mining research grant recently received by VPI&SU. 0. Yucel of the Civil Engineering Depart- ' / COAL \ 0p ment, VPItSU, presented a study on the pre- STEEL HEATING No. 1 VIRL;INIA MINERALS 5

COMMERCIAL CAVERNS AND 7. Natural Bridge, Ibckbridge County, 3.5 miles south on U. S. Highway 11 fm In- RELATED FEATURES IN VIRGINIA terstate 81: interchange 50, or 1.5 r) miles north on U. S. Highway 11 frm in- Dave Hubbard terchange 49. Open all year. No group rates.

8. Natural Bridge Caverns, Rockbridge County 3 miles south on U. S. Highway 11 from INDEX FOR CAVERNS AND Interstate 81: interchange 50, or 2 RELATED FEATURES miles north on U. S. Highway 11 from in- terchange 49. Open March through N0ve.m- ber all week, December through February: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Group rates.

9. Natural Chinmeys Regional Park, Augusta County, 1 mile north of Mt. Solon off State Road 731 and 10.5 miles west of Bridgewater Exit (interchange 61) Inter- state 81 via State Road 257, U. S. High- 1. Battlefield-Crystal Caverns, Shenandoah way 42, and State Road 747. Open mid County, 0.5 mile northeast of Strasburg, April through mid October, however gates on U. S. Highway 11, or Interstate 81: often left open off season for nonfee interchange 75, 1 mile southwest on U. S. viewhg of chimneys. Group rates. Highway 11. Tours by appointmnt only, phone Wayside Inn (703) 869-1797. Group 10.Natural Tunnel State Park, Scott County, rates. 12.5 miles west of Gate City on U. S. highways 58 and 23 and 1.3 miles north on 2. Cudjo's Cave, Cumberland Gap National State Road 871. No fees to view tunnel. Historical Park, Lee County, about 800 Cpened all year for viewing, park facil- I, feet frm the Virginia-Tennessee state ities closed December through April. line on U. S. Highway 25E, north of Cum- berland Gap, Tennessee. Caverns adminis- 1l.Shenandcah Caverns, Shenandoah County, tered by Lincoln &mrial University. Interstate 81: interchange 68, 1 mile Open all week March through October, northwest on State Road 730, or 4 miles weekends , December, and March, northwest of New Market on U. S. Highway closed January and February. Group rates. 11 and 1.5 miles northwest on State Road 730. Open allyear. Group rates. 3. Dixie Caverns, Roanoke County, Interstate 81: interchange 39 south, or 7 miles 12.Skyline Caverns, Warren County, 1 mile west of Salem on U. S. Highway 11. Open south of Front Royal on U. S. Highway 340 all year. Group rates. south frm Interstate 66. Open all year. Group rates. 4. Grand Caverns Regional Park, Augusta County, near Grottoes off U. S. Highway For information on noncarmercial caves and 340 or Interstate 81: interchange 60, 8 caving contact the National Speleological miles east on State Route 256. Open mid Society, Cave Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810. April through mid October. Group rates. Virginia Caves are protected by State Law 5. Luray Caverns, Page County, west Main St. (Code of Virginia 10-150.11 et seg.) . Uay, on U. S. Highway 211. Open all It is illegal to: year. Grcup rates. -write or mark on the walls -litter or dqspent carbide 6. Massanutten Caverns, Rockingham County, -break or rmve mineral formations 0.5 mile northeast of Keezletm and 6 -disturb bats or other living organisms miles southeast of Harrisonburg via U. S. -rmve or disturb historic or prehis- Highway 33 and State Road 620 frcan Inter- toric artifacts or bones state 81: interchange 64. Open -rial Copies of this law may be obtained frm: to Labor Day : 10 to 6 daily, fall and Virginia Cave Ccmmission spring: 11 to 5 daily, winter: 12 to 5 P. 0. Box 7017 Saturday and Sunday. Group rates. Richmnd, Virginia 23221 VIRGINIA DMSION OF MCNERAL FESXEEi Vol. 29

OLD KING COAL

S. 0.Bird C Coal is king of Virginia's natural re- sources. The history of its production and use is a history of the Industrial Revolu- tion, and coal's future role in world econ- any will be mre important than its past. Coal's share of the national energy product IIIIII Ill1 was about 19 percent in 1980; it is project- 1940 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 ed to be about 30 percent by 1990 (=gy YEAR Information Z!&bistration, 1981) . Virginia Figure 1. U. S. coal production 1940-1981. (After ranks fifth in the nation in bituminous coal Gluskoter, 1982). The 1958 sag in production reflects production (the order for 1980 was Kentucky, the econanic recession of that tk. Production through West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Vir- August of 1982 was running ahead of that of 1981, de- ginia) . Because the State still has large pite the econcmic slm-down of this period. quantities of minable coal in the ground beginning in the 1970's (Gluskoter, 1982), (mre than 3.4 billion short tons demn- and coal production continued the increase strated reserve base on January 1, 1980), it begun in the 1960 ' s (Figure 1) . is to be ashthat Virginia's coal pro- Coal geology tcday is a sophisticated duction will gmw in accordance with its business. Physical and chemical character- projected increase in use. U. S. production istics of coal, rank and ash content, as in 1980 was nearly 830 million short tons; well as thickness and distribution data, to- Virginia's share was about five percent. gether with ease of ramval, the ease of SXE eleven percent of the total was export- land reclamtion, and possible effects of ed. (Data sources were Energy Infom-ation mining operations on wa& quality are basic administration, 1982A and 1982B.) to all aspects of the work. In addition, Early reports of the Virginia Geologicdl geologists may need to predict floor and Survey, which began its mdern operation un- roof conditions that will affect drift or der Dr. Thomas L. Watson in 1908, indicate surface mining of the coal. Sulfur content, that the dollar value of coal and coke pro- the single mst detrimental factor limiting duction displaced that of and pig the possible uses of coal, is obviously im- iron production in Virginia as the ndxr portant in predicting values of minable coal one mineral resource in 1910, when the coal (Virginia's coal is relatively free from and coke value was about 8.5 million dol- sulfur, Henderson and others, 1981) . Other, lars. Since that time, coal has remained mre subtle, chemical characteristics are the nuher one mineral asset in Virginia. also important: smmtals affect the ac- The 1980 dollar value for Virginia coal pro- tivity of catalysts used in converting coal duction was about 1.4 billion dollars and to other products, and certain organic con- production was about 41 million short tons. stituents help to determine the coking qual- The Virginia Survey (which became the Vir- ity of coal. The coal geologist today needs r ginia Division of Mineral Resources in 1957) began publishing detailed reports on coal in 1914, when Charles Butts' excellent report entitled "The Coal Resources and General Geology of the Pound Quadrangle in Vir- ginia," was issued. In the years since 1914, 13 major map reports on the coal resaurces of Virginia have been published by the Division; a like n1mJ3er of reports on areas in the state have been published by the United States Geologi- cal Survey. A coal bibliography for Virginia will be published this year by the Division. The price of coal was only 4 to 5 dollars per ton frcan about1950 to 1970. After the oil embargo of 1973-74, the price of coal - --J YEAR rose frcan about $8 per ton to today's aver- 5 age price of about $39 per ton. Thus, the price of coal began to keep ahead of infla- Figure 2. Projected world coal damd, excluding can- tion for the first time in several decades mist Europe and Asia. (Fran ESocon Corporation, 1980). No. 1 VIRGINIA MINERALS

80'00'

Valley coal fields oreo (Missisrippion ape cool)

R~chrnond Mesozoic borin

I Hydrologic study ore.

1 Division geologic mapping project within I

Land Manogemen1 Iv Volley cool fields methane test wells Letters represent county names - see caption

/-.-., .,-' ,I' 1, \ 7 .. .. \ r" - - - .-! z--Y' .. TENNESSEE 1--> __ 8 ~~00' < NORTH CAROLINA Figure 3. Areas of ongoing coal research by Division geologists. &bstcoal in the Valley lies at depth because the beds are folded. Abbreviations used for counties follm: Bu, Buchanan; B1, Bland; Bo, Botetourt; C, Chesterfield; D, Dickenson; G, Goochland; H, Henrico; L, Lee; M, bbntgnery; P, F~whatan; R, bamke; Ru, Russell; S, Scott; Sm, Smyth; T, Tazeell; W, Washington; Wi, Wise; Wy, Wythe. a wealth of data in evaluating and predict- coal field =thane resource near Blacksburg, ing coal reserves. Virginia under contract with the U. S. Being aware of the current demand for coal Departroent of Energy (Figure 3, IV) ; (5) and anticipating a growing need for the re- evaluation of the Valley coal resources of source (Figure 2) , the Virginia Division of Pulaski and Mcmtga~~rycounties; (6) prep- Mineral Resources has accelerated its re- aration of a map report of the Richmnd search on Virginia coals. Recent publi- Mesozoic basin, including evaluation of the cations on coal by the Division are those by rethane resource associated with coal in Henderson (1979), Henderson and others the basin .(Figure 3) ; (7) study of plant (1981), Wilkes (1982), Milici and others spores in various Ivksozoic basins in (1982), and Mitchell and others (1982). In Virginia in an attempt to correlate coal Noventer of 1982, the Division sponsored its beds in the basins (being carried out by Di- first Coal Seminar. The meeting was held vision and U.S.G.S. geologists); (8) collec- at Blacksburg and included invited presenta- tion of samples and canpilation of physical tions from the Division, V.P.I. and S. U., and chemical data on coal samples throughout the United States Geological Survey, and the State in cooperation with the U.S.G.S.;

private- agencies. (See "Coal. Seminar Held" and (9) maintaining and enlarging data on in this issue of Virginia Minerals for de- Virginia coals in the National Coal Re- tails on the meetins.) sources Data System stored on a canputer at Among other recenf and ongoing actibities the U.S.G.S. in Reston, Virginia. The data of the Division on Virginia's coal resources from (9) will be used in evaluating cdal re- not previously mentioned are the follawing. sources in the State and will be used in (1) Preparation of two 7.5-minute quadrangle other ways, including preparation of reports maps and maps of lineament systems in south- on coal quality as in Henderson and others western Virginia as part of a coal and water (1981). resource study being conducted by the Divi- REFERENCES sion and the United States Geological Survey (Figure 3, I, 1) and preparation of other Butts, Charles, 1914, The coal resources quadrangle maps (Figure 3, 11) ; (2) prepara- and general geology of the Pound quadran- tion of coal resources maps under contract gle in Virginia: Virginia Geol. Survey with the U. S . Bweau of Land Management for Bull. 9, 61 p. twenty-four 7.5-minute quadrangles in Pla- teau and Valley coal fields (Figure 3, 111) ; Ehergy Information Agency, (U. S. Dept. of (3) preparation of a canpilation geologic mgy), 1981, 1980 Annual Report to Con- r, mp including distribution of coal beds, of gress, vol. 3: Washington, U. s. Govern- Wise County; (4) evaluation of the Valley ment Printing Office, 348 p. VIRGINIA DIVISION OF MTNERAL RESOIJRCES Vol. 29

, 1982A, Dermnstrated reserve Keystone Coal Industry Manual, 1981: New base of coal in the United States on Jan- uary.1, 1980: Washington, U. S. Govern- qtPrinting Office, 39 p. Milici, R. C., Gathright, T. M., Miller, B. , 1982B, Weekly coal production W., and Gwin, M. R., 1982, Geologic fac- for week ended Nav. 6, 1982: Washinston, tors related to coal mine roof falls in U. S. ~ovenrment pri;lting Office, 62 Wise County, Virginia: Report to Pgpa- lachian Regional Comnission, CO-7232-80-1- Exxon Corporation, 1980, World energy out- 302-0206: Charlottesville, Virginia, Vir- look; public affairs deparhnsnt: New York. ginia Div. Mineral Resources, 101 p. Gluskoter, H. J., 1982, Coal geology - who needs it?, in Perspectives in geology: Mitchell, J. L., Mrris, M.S., Polzin, J.K., Illinois stag Geol. Survey Circ. 525, p. Nolde, J. E., and Grantham, J. H., 1982, 7-11. Stratigraphic cross sections for the Upper Mississippian-Middle Pennsylvanian units Henderson, J.A.,Jr., 1979, Sum~lryof coal of Buchanan and Dickenson counties, South- resources in Virginia: Virginia Div. west Virginia: Virginia Div. Mineral Re- Mineral Resources, Virginia Minerals, vol. sources publication 42, 4 sheets. 25, no. 1, p. 1-7.

Herderson, J. A., Jr., and Wilkes, G. P., Watson, T. L, 1911, Biennial report on the Virginia coal bibliography: Virginia Div. mineral production of Virginia (1909 and Mineral Resources Publication (in prepara- 1910) : Virginia Geol. Survey Bull. 6, 123 tion) . P Henderson, J. A., Jr., OMn, C. S., and Wilkes, G. P., 1982, Geology and mineral re- Coleman, S. L., 1981, Analyses of coal sources of the Fannville Triassic basin, samples collected 1975-1977: Virginia Virginia: Virginia Div. Mineral Resources Div. Mineral Resources Publication 33, 135 Virginia Minerals, vol. 28, no. 3, p. P* 25-32.

LARGE QUARTZ CRYSTALS FROM ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

James L. Beaver, Jr. and Barry W. Miller

In April 1979, a nuher of large (up to 24 by 40 centhters) , milky, and corrmonly singly-terminated quartz crystals were found associated with the -town dolcknite east of Brocks Gap in western Rockingham County (Figure 1) within the Shenandoah Val- ley. Although small quartz crystals are cammnly associated with rocks in the Shenandoah Valley, these were of excep- tional size. Large crystals were first no- COUNTY ticed in rock piles in a steep, wooded ra- vine adjacent to the Shenandoah River;across i the river fran State Highway 259. The large ', HARRISONBURG crystals were not found in situ or associ- ated with matrix material. One float speci- men containing mderate-sized quartz crys- tals (5.2 centime'ters across) found north- west of the discovery area was composed of highly brecciated, saccharoidal dolcanite Figure 1. Index nlap showing location of the study area. No. 1 VIRGINIA MINERALS 9

Figure 2. White quartz crystals in gray dolanite matrix. Figure 4. Vugs on side of crystal. fragments certmted by veins of white, crys- since weathered away (Figure 4 ) . Rhmbohe- talline dolcxnite. These milky quartz crys- dral inpressions on this specimen are not as tals were on small, gray, rh-hedral commn nor distinct as those on the larger crystals within a cavity (Figure spec*. 2). Dolarite is the only mineral that is One large quartz crystal is offset sub- conmonly associated with the large quartz parallel to its long axis (Figure 5). It crystals. measures in cross section 9 by 13 centi- The large quartz crystals found east of meters and is 22.5 centhters long. The Brocks Gap are milky white and singly termi- crystal, which is terminated, appears to nated; many have impressions of large, have been sheared after it was fully devel- rhcanbohedral crystals on their surfaces. oped. The is filled with quartz. These rhcrhhedral forms are evidently c*s- A doubly-teminated milky quartz crystal tals of dolarite overgrm by the quartz was found approximately 0.85 miles southeast crystals. The largest crystal found at this of the original discovery site and measures locality measures 24 centimeters across and 8.5 centimeters in length, and 4.5 centi- 40 centimeters long. This specinen has sev- meters by 2.6 centimeters across. The crys- eral areas covered by rhcmbhedral impres- tal shws crude rhcsnbic impressions on one sions (Figure 3). The next largest crystal side, suggesting that it grew in the same measures 17 centh~tersacross and 29 centi- environment as did the larger crystals. As meters long and tapers toward the termina- with all large crystals found in this area, tion. This spech shws numerous cavities this crystal was found as float material and which may represent areas where the crystals may have been transported a considerable grew around breccia fragments; which have distance.

Figure 5. Quartz crystal offset along c-axis. View Figure 3. Largest quartz czystal found in study area. along c-axis. 10 VIRGINIA DMSION OF MlNFZAL Vol. 29

There are several possible sources of silica for forming the quartz crystals. One possibility is chert beds and chert strina- REFERENCES ers lccal~y abundant in the l%ehm&. Chert and massive quartz and quartz crystals Brent, William B., 1960, Geology and mineral are found together in rock dumps in the resources of Rcckingham County: Virginia area, which may be evidence that these mat- Division of Mineral Resources Bulletin 76, erials are fram the same stratiara~hic in- 174 p. terval. The chert therefore repksents a possible source of Rader, Eugene K., 1967, Geology of the silica for the quartz Staunton, Churchville, Greenville, and crystals. Tbthin beds of light brownish- yellcw, extremly capact, quartz-rich silt- Stuarts Draft quadrangles, Virginia: Vir- stone in the Beelmantown Formation are an- ginia Division of Mineral Resources Report other possible source of the silica for the of Investigations 12, 43 p. quartz- crystals. &&r, Eugene K., and Perry, William J., Insoluble residue analyses of 1976, Reinterpretation of the geology of samples taken frcan within the l%ehmtcwn at the Brocks Gap area show varying amounts of Brocks Gap, Rockingham County, Virginia: silica in different stratigraphic intervals; Virginia Division of Mineral Resources this is another possible silica source for Virginia Minerals, vol. 22, no. 4, 12 p. the quartz crystals. The quartz may represent a primary depos- Herbert, Paul, Jr., and Young, Fbbert S., it fonred in association with and 1956, mineralization in the of the area. Brent (1960) states that Shenandoah Valley of Virginia: Virginia the conrmon mineral association in the Division of Geology Bulletin 70, 58 p. Timberville Mining District, which includes the area of Brocks Gap, is dolcanite, quartz, , , and . It is pos- sible that the large quartz crystals from near Brocks Gap and the sulfide-bearing breccias of the area font& in a similar en- viroment. The Brock Gap area would repre- sent a zone deficient in zinc, lead, iron, and sulfur. Another possibility is that dolclmite and quartz formed in the earlier stages of the paragenetic sequence, while COAL MINE TOTALS pyrite, galena, and sphalerite form at later stages. As of December 2nd, 1981, the Division of It is probable that the quartz developed Mines and Quarries reported 801 active coal- after partial solution of the Beelumntm mine pennits in Virginia. There were 471 Formation. Rader (1967, p. 23) in reference pennits for truck mines. Buchanan County to collapse breccia deposits found in car- has the mst permits at 312. The following bonates in the Shenandoah Valley, states table shows the pernut statistics by mining that a possible sequence of events leading typeand-ty. to the developznt of the collapse breccia is (1) fault movemnt, (2) dissolution of adjacent carbonate rock with the resultant devel-t of solution caverns followed by, Tipple Auger Strip Truck Total (3) collapse of the supported cavern roof and finally, (4) cemntation of the frag- Buchanan 20 17 40 ments and blocks by dolomite. Herbert and Dickenson 10 2 33 Young (1956, p. 1-3) state that collapse Lee 1 9 30 breccias in the Shenandoah Valley post-date 2 6 12 a period of thrust faulting and that the g "E" 0 0 0 breccias are related to the North kbuntain 8 Pulaski 0 0 1 fault. It is likely that the fomtion of Tazewell 3 1 3 the quartz is related to mineralization Wise 11 21 108 cemmting breccias in the area. 'Ibtal 47 56 227 No. 1 VIRGINIA MINERATS 11

panattox County and as far northeast as MINERAL RESOURCES Culpeper County. In Orange County, Walnut Creek Mining Ccsnpany ' s -mining venture has opened up a quartz vein near Rhoades- Marline Corporation, a wholly ville along Walnut Run and also a carmrercial mned subsidiary of Marline Oil Corporation, panning pation at Wilderness, about 10 announced on July 21, 1982, the discovery of miles to the northeast. Around the old Mel- a significant concentration of uraniy ville gold mine, Callahan Mining Corporation mineralization in Pittsylvania County in has praposed to drill several core holes be- southern Virginia. According to the an- low the workings £ran the 1930 's. nouncement, a reserve report prepared by Chevron Resources capany has essentially Pincock, Allen and Holt, an independent ccmpleted their exploration prcqram for mining engineering firm, indicated higher base-mtal in Carroll, Floyd, grade geological reserves totalling ap- and Patrick counties of southvest Virginia. proximately 30 million pounds of uranium plbre than 40 core holes were drilled, many (U 0 ) with an average grade in excess in Carroll County; samples were not as of four &&ds per ton of ore. In addition, premising as surface tests indicated. larger quantities of lwr-grade geological reserves were also identified. Marline P.C.S. Uranium Corporation vacated their leases on property in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Orange counties in September of 1982. In early December, Union Carbide Corporation NEW COAL TERMINAL OPENED announced it had taken options on the Pittsylvania properties and would begin an ~assey Coal Terminal Corporation began 18 mnth evaluation. loading coal at its new terminal at Newport Presently there is a State mratorium on News in mid December. The new terminal is uranium mining, which will expire on July 1, designed to handle twelve million tons of 1983. The uranium s-ttee of the Vir- coal per year, Built at a cost of 122 ginia Coal and Energy Comnission is studying million dollars, the terminal is scheduled (. the issues and will receive reconn-endations for capletion in April of 1983. Con- frm private consulting fim on December struction is continuing on a 135-million- 15th and then is expected to make a recom- dollar terminal next to the Massey facility mdation on uranium mining and milling to by Dominion Terminal Associates. The Do- the 1983 Virginia legislative session. minion pier is scheduled for capletion in Luck Stone Corporation of Richmnd, Vir- 1984. ginia, has been issued an air pollution per- mit for a stone quarry in granitic rock just RimTin~s Dispatch north of Standardsville in Greene County. A 17 Dec '82 special use permit had been approved in March, 1982. The quarry has been limited to production of 800,000 tons of crushed rock per year. SCHEDULED MEETINGS In the fall of 1982, the Augusta County Board of Zoning Appals issued a special use March 16-18, Southeastern Section, Geo- pennit to Jams River Lirestone CQnpany of logical Society of America, Talla- Buchanan, Virginia, to mine the kaolin dumps hassee, Florida. (JesF. Tull, Dept. at the old Cold Springs mine. The mine, of Geology, Florida State University, which closed in 1951, is in the Big Ievels Tallahassee, F'L 32306) . area of southeastern Augusta County. Mining May 13-20, Paleozoic stratigraphy and of the material will probably be used for mlachian Basin, field seminar, various filler and extender applications. Arlington, Virginia (John Dennison, Removal of the dumps followed by reclamtion Dept. of Geology, University of North will eliminate an "eyesore" seen miles away Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514). frm Interstate 81. May 17-20, Virginia Academy of Science, Interest continues in and along the Gold George Mason University, Fairfax, Vir- pyrite belt in the central Virginia Piecbmnt ginia (S. 0. Bird, Division of Min- province. Companies continue to explore for eral Resources, P. 0. Box 3667, Char- Irn base-mtal sulfides as far southwest as Ap- lottesville, VA 22903) . Virginia Division of Mineral Resources Virginia Minerals Box 3667 Second-class postaqe paid at Charlottesville, VA 22903 Charlottesville , vGginia ISSN 0042-6652 Return Postage Guaranteed *-

Shell Oil Ccknpany will drill in the Balti- OIL AND GAS NEWS mre Canyon 100 miles off the Maryland- Joseph Arnold Delaware coast in over 6000' of water. There have been no cannercia1 discoveries in the Outer Continental Shelf after 26 Because of surplus gas at present and the wells. Success could lead to mre drilling lack of a market, there has been intensified in the South Atlantic region. Virginia has interest in oil in southwestern Vir- one tract under lease on the continental ginia. At present there are two small oil shelf about 70 miles east of the Eastern fields in the State. These are the Rose Shore Peninsula. Hill field and Ben Hur field named for the toms where they are located in Lee County. Oil is primarily found in the Ordovician Trenton Formation and is extracted for the mst part fram fracture type reservoirs. The FIRST U. S. OCCURRENCE majority of wells drilled are shallow and relatively inexpensive. Depths usually OF WODGlNlTE range frm 2500' to 3000'. Wodginite, a -rich tantalum oxide There has been increased use of air mineral, has been discovered in the Herbb drilling in Virginia and Appalachian Basin No. 2 pegmatite in Powhatan County, Vir- as opposed to the conventional fluid ginia, by Michael A. Wise of the University drilling. Air drilling is faster and of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Wodginite is cheaper in hard formations resulting in mre knm to occur in various localities productivity and better rig utilization. throughout the world, but this is the first Penetration rates can be three or four tks reported occurrence of this mineral in the aver mud drilling and will use one-half to United States. Wodginite occurs as black one-fourth the nmker of drill bits. anhedralmasses up to two inches in length and is associated with mganocolurbite and . The mineral, which was first described by and others in 1963, is Virginia Minerals, Vol. 29 No. 1, February 1983 an important ore mineral of tantalum.