Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-11-11
GOLD MINING.

districts of North Carolina, and obtained lew
e,ateu ens concerning the results OF his Observa-
tons and inquiries, that we might AID pofuoh
of the public in forming correct general opinions
on branch of speculation which Is pro'erp'a''y
tempting and dangerous.
The mines of North Carolina are chiehy
wrought in the three ranges OF counties between
Frederick and Charlotte, which lie IN a directioh
about Northeast and Southwest, corresponding
with the general line Of the coast. me nrst
discoveries we're made near the South carolina
boundary: but as il was soon discovered that
the veins all ran in a very straight course be-
tween the points of the compass abovement'oheu'
works were established at numerous places above
The most profitable business has been done IN the
counties Of Mecklenburg and Gabarras. The most
labor has been bestowed in Mecklenberg and Ia
wilson counties. The surface mines, which are
of very inferior importance. require 20 other Ia
Dor than that necessary in washing the earth IN
rockers, or large inclined troughs. with mercury,
| by which process thcmetais are brought into con-
tact, and and afterwards found amalgamated at
the bottom. Heating the amalgam In retort
separates them.
The vein mines which are generally the most
important. are the most uncertain and hazard.
Gus to the worker. They in some cases afford
a supply of ore upon or near the surface; Out
|
depth before any thing valuable is obtained. One
or two mines were mentioned by our informant,
which had been worked to about the depth OF 80
feet, and he thought none had as vet been eXca-
waited beyond 100 feet The quartz rock IS al
ways an indication Of gold in that region, and the
metal is always found in it. The veins ofquartZ
are generally thin. frequently connected with
iron ore, pyrites, &c. and sometimes mterposed
between slate rocks They run nearly from
Northeast to Southwest, as before remarked, with
such precision. that the veins may often be ira
ced with compass.
The whole mass of quartz rock dug from the
mine, sometimes containing quantity of other
rock, is taken to the mill, pounded, and ground
extremely fine. The mills are OF different de-
scriptions: some with rollers workingin trough.
very closely, round a perpendicular axis; some
with large wheel rolling and revolving in ii
large circle, much like the old-fashioned cider
mill. These are all supplied with quicksilver.
in contact with which the rocky and metallic mat
ter is brought, as intimately as possible, for the
ore being reduced to an almost impalpablc pow
der is suspended in the water which gradually
slowly out. Much of the gold is dispersed in the
ore IN such minute grains as to be visible only by
the aid of a magnifier; but most of it may be ex
tracted by this process, if skilfully performed,
for the quicksilver seizes every particle of the
precious metal it touches, and by amalgamating
with it retains it in the trough. To separate the
analgam from the unama gamated quicksilver,
the whole is pressed in wet deer-skin, and thus
the latter is forced through the pores. The ANAL
gam is then placed in retort, and exposed to
heat. by which means the quicksilver is distilled,
and the gold is left pure, retaining the form and
size which the amalgam had in the retOrt. but
rendered porous by the process. The gold is in
some cases cast into bars or ingots before it is
sold.
Now. these details appear very Ineligible.
and the road to wealth through North Carolina
sand field may seem to the inexperienced a very
direct and plain one. 1t is fact, however, that
many who have been tempted to walk in it, have
changed their course. Some of the reasons on
which they have founded this change, we are in
formed, are the following:
1t is very seldom that rich ore is to be found
on the surface, and of course some digging is to
be done; this is often continued from day to day,
hope being sometimes delayed even for weeks,
but the enterprising are not to be dsheartened at
paying few more days works, while they think
thew are soon to draw on an inexhaustible bank
OF gold. That bank has as vet been seldom hit
upon. In short, out of the counties of Davidson,
Mecklenburg, and Gabarras. most of the VEINS
arc worked at loss In Burke county, one
company, after spending about $50, 600, rcnounc-
Ell gold mining. Other mpanies have also Civ
en- 1t up; and numerous individuals who are met
with IN that part of the country. are described as
having rot through very long and marked attacks
OF the gold-h,mting -feUer, and turvived the cri-
sis with little left but life. 1t is generally consid
cred, however, that such individuals are least ex-
posed to it for the future
1t is generally understood that gold, obtained
at the expense Of from 50 to 95 or "a cents per
dwt. costs as mach as it is worth In the county
OF Burke it is said about ten mines are wrought
without any loss. The chief part of the diggers,
however, on an estimate, pay not less than 81,
% tor every dwt. of gold they obtain. In the
hearing of our informant, it was asserted that
none in that county made money; but this was
contradicted by another person, who stated as a
fact within his own knowledge, that one man had
actually wor ked a mine at gain-ha,ing accumu-
lated, when he ceased operations, at least fifty
dollars
A mill costs but about 5000; but if a new