DISTRIBUTION OF GOLD MINES IN THE SOUTH APPALACHIAN REGION. 89
have yet been developed. Arsenical pyrite is of common occurrence in the district.
MINES IN CLAY COUNTY.
The more important mining operations have been carried on in the Idaho district, which embraces an area of about 3 miles square. The country-rocks are graphitic mica- and hornblende-schists, often garnetiferous. The principal properties are the Idaho, Hobbs, Laurel, Chincapina, California, and Horns Peak.
The Idaho (or Franklin) mine is situated in Sec. 3, T. 20, E. 7 E., on the northwestern side of Shinbone ridge. The main ore-body consists of a large mass of the country schists interlaminated with quartzseams and largely stained with manganese oxide. The schistosity stands almost vertical. This ore-body, which has a thickness of 50 feet, is opened by cuts which extend for over 300 feet along the line of strike and to a maximum depth of 60 feet.
The second ore-body is about 150 feet northwest of the above. It is locally called the " Little Sampson vein." But little work has been done here.
The Idaho ore is stated to carry $2 per ton in free gold. The milling plant, which was in operation in the winter of 1896, consists of a 5-stamp mill (crushing capacity 10 tons in 24 hours), and a 5-foot Huntington mill (crushing capacity 20 tons in 24 hours), the former crushing through round punched 2 mm. screens, and the latter through 1 mm. slotted screens. The pulp from both mills goes over shaking coppers and thence over stationary coppers, which are barred with riffles. From here it flows over blanket sluices 8 feet wide at the Huntington and 4 feet wide at the stamp-mill. The cost of mining and milling is stated to be 50 cents per ton, and the cost of delivering from mine to mill 15 cents per ton.
The following rates of wages are paid: Miners, 75 cents per day (10 hours); foremen, millmen, and engineers, $1 per day; millwright, $1.25 per day. The cost of fuel is $2 per day.
The Laurel mine is supposed to be an extension of the Little Sampson ore-body, and the character of the ores is very similar.
The Chincapina mine is situated on a ridge to the north of the Laurel and Idaho mines. The character of the ore-body is similar to that of the Idaho, though the dip is more inclined, about 30° southeast. ISTo work of consequence has been done.
At the California mine a 10-stamp mill was erected and operated several years ago.
The Horns Peak mine is situated about 1 mile west of the Idaho. The ore-body, which resembles the others in this district, has been
