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CHAPTER III.
DISTPJBUTIOX OF GOLD MIXES IX XORTH CAROLIXA, WITH MIXING XOTES.1
The Xorth Carolina mines are distributed in three main belts the Eastern Carolina, the Carolina, and the South Mountain belts (see pp. 14, 15-18).
The distribution of gold deposits and geological formations in Xorth Carolina is indicated in a general way by the accompanying map (fig. 3, p. 44); but this is shown in greater detail and accuracy on the larger map which accompanies Bulletin 3 of the Survey reports.
The mining districts of Xorth Carolina have been more extensively developed than those in any other portion of the South; although to-day a comparatively small number of the mines are in operation. Of these, very few can be said to be steady producers, most of the work being prospecting and preliminary development, with irregular and spasmodic output. Petty mining, chiefly in the placer ground, is carried on by tributors in various parts of the State.
THE EASTERN CAROLINA BELT.
The principal mines are situated in Warren, Halifax, Franklin and Xash counties, in an area covering about 300 square miles, and extending in a southwesterly direction from a point near the Thomas mine, 1-J miles northeast of Ransoms bridge, to and across Tar river.
Among the mines in this belt are the Thomas, Kearney, Taylor, Mann, Davis, Xick-Arrington, Mann-Arrington, and Portis. Of these the two latter are, perhaps, of most importance.
The Maxx-Arkington mine is situated in the northwest corner of Xash county, at Argo P. O. The country-rock is chlorite-schist, in part porphyritic, striking X. 60° E. and dipping 40° S.E. The ore-body consists of quartz lenses from minute size up to 12 inches in thickness,
1 For fuller description of some of the mines, the reader is referred to :
Geological Report of Vie Midland Counties of North Carolina, by Ebenezer Emmons, NewYork, 1856.
"The Ores of North Carolina," by W. C. Kerr and George B. Hanna, North Carolina Geological Survey, 1887.
" The Gold Deposits of North Carolina," by H. B. C. Nitze and G. B. Hanna. North Carolina Geological Survey, 1896. Bull. No. 3.
Unless otherwise stated, the mines are not at present working. The values of the ores are not given on our authority ; the same is true of the dimensions of the ore bodies in abandoned mines and in such as could not be examined.