In more recent times (mid to late 1970s) than saw the peak of production at the Cranberry Iron mine, a handful of ASU Geology Dept students gained employment exploring for mineral deposits, primarily base and precious metals and uranium, throughout Ashe, Avery, Watauga, and Caldwell counties. I personally explored the Elk Knob prospect and some nearby copper and gold showings, the Ore Knob area near Laurel Springs, and explored for diamonds down in the South Mountains. We had classmates exploring and involved in operating mine geology at and around Austinville and the Great Gossan Lead in VA and at Ducktown, TN. As I type this, an ASU Geology alum is part of the senior exploration and mine planning team at the large future lithium mine near Kings Mountain, NC. Thanks for the very well done videos. Subscribed and enjoying going through them.
Very interesting history of a mining industry I never knew about. Please do a video on gold mining in North Carolina. One of the first Federal Mints was in Charlotte.
Very fascinating show! I’ve long been intrigued by the mining history of that area, and the railroads that served the industry. I wish that the mica processing facility would have been preserved and open for tours, but I guess it hasn’t been. Thanks for a great vid!
In more recent times (mid to late 1970s) than saw the peak of production at the Cranberry Iron mine, a handful of ASU Geology Dept students gained employment exploring for mineral deposits, primarily base and precious metals and uranium, throughout Ashe, Avery, Watauga, and Caldwell counties. I personally explored the Elk Knob prospect and some nearby copper and gold showings, the Ore Knob area near Laurel Springs, and explored for diamonds down in the South Mountains. We had classmates exploring and involved in operating mine geology at and around Austinville and the Great Gossan Lead in VA and at Ducktown, TN. As I type this, an ASU Geology alum is part of the senior exploration and mine planning team at the large future lithium mine near Kings Mountain, NC.
Thanks for the very well done videos. Subscribed and enjoying going through them.
Thanks for watching! We appreciate it.
I was born in Avery County and my great grandpa worked at Cranberry Forge.
Very interesting history of a mining industry I never knew about. Please do a video on gold mining in North Carolina. One of the first Federal Mints was in Charlotte.
The first mint in NC was out in Rutherford county.
Very fascinating show! I’ve long been intrigued by the mining history of that area, and the railroads that served the industry. I wish that the mica processing facility would have been preserved and open for tours, but I guess it hasn’t been. Thanks for a great vid!
Glad you enjoyed it
Tar heel mica has been acquired by asheville mica company
Teach!