Record #:

22177

Author(s):

Mims, Bryan; Chaplin, Emily [Photographer]

Abstract:

Lying within Mitchell, Yancey, and Avery counties is an area known as Spruce Pine Mining District, \"a 25-mile-long swath of mineral-rich land\" containing emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnet, kaolin, quartz, mica, and feldspar. Mining in this Appalachian land dates back over 2,000 years to the time when Native Americans were tunneling up to one feet to get mica. Mims recounts the history of mining operations there.

Source:

Our State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 81 Issue 11, Apr 2014, p148-152, 154, 156, il Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Mines and mining--Spruce Pine--History