So far as is known, none of the Virginia mines are at present working on an actively producing scale, although considerable prospecting is in progress and apparent preparations for mining are being made.
The mines of Fauquier, Stafford, Culpeper, Orange and Spottsylvania counties are grouped around the junction of the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers in a belt some 15 miles wide.
MINES IN FAUQUIER COUNTY.
The Franklin, AVycoff and Leopold mines are situated in the southern part of the county near Morrisville.
MINES IN STAFFORD COUNTY.
The principal localities are in the western part of the county near the Rappahannock river. The Eagle mine, situated 12 miles northwest of Fredericksburg, was worked by the Rappahannock Gold Mining Company in 1894; greatest depth, 250 feet; length of workings, 600 feet.
The Monroe mine adjoins the Eagle on the northwest, and the Lee mine is situated in the same vicinity.
The Rattlesnake mine adjoins the Eagle on the northwest. It was worked as a gulch placer; large amounts of nuggets are reported, weighing from -J to 5 dwts.; some as high as 125 dwts.
MINES IN CULPEPER COUNTY.
The Culpepee mine is situated 18 miles west of Fredericksburg on the Rapidan river. Prof. Silliman (in a report made in 1836) stated the average value of this ore to be $25 per ton, and the mining and milling expenses at $7 per ton. Other mines in the district are the Richardville and the Ellis.
The Powhatan Land and Mining Company operated a mine in this county in 1894, treating the ore in Crawford mills and a ten-stamp mill (Eraser and Chalmers' make) in connection with Frue vanners.
MINES IN SPOTTSYLVANIA COUNTY".
The oldest mines worked in this county were those operated by the United States Mining Company near the Rappahannock river in the extreme northwest corner of the county. A description of the method of milling at these mines in 1835 is given on p. 33. At that time a 2-foot vein was operated by adits and several shafts, the deepest of which was 80 feet. The value of the ore is given in this early report at $25 per ton, and the cost of milling at 80 cents per ton. Other old mines near this property are the Marshall and the Gardiner.
