Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-07-16
From the American Presbyterian.
Test for Copper,
Mr.. EDITOE:

hlR. EDITOR
Since have had the pleasure of being in your
county, my time has been bpsilY employed in ex-
amining Hainerals,--not less than two hundred
specimens from this, and the adjoining countless
have passed under review within FIVE or six days
My object in this communication, is to give very
simple mode of testing for copper, as this appears
to pc mostly sought after at present. .-al
Many of the specimens shown to me were brown
iron ore. It SO happens that many specimens of
this ore are often beautifully eolaFed in places, on
the surface-the colors having all the hues of the
rainboT These colors are sometimes bright
green and blue-often of bronze tint-~colors
which are known to be characteristics Of copper.
Such specimens have been, in very many cases,
taken as indications of copper. The fact is, such
coloring or tarnsh, is common with brown iron
ore, and may be found upon such specimens of it
in almost every county in Tennessee. It may be
noticed too, that these colors are superficial
They appear to belong to mere SCALE or film of
the mineral, WHICH in many cases will peel on,
and when rubbed with haH.mer, will reduce it
to yellow powder. In cases of doubt, the test
given below will show the presence or absence
of copper.
A large number of the specimens shown me
were ores of manganese. have discovered two
different kinds among them. These discoveries
will lead, no doubt, to the developement in Greene
county, of valuable beds of oxide Of manganese
have observed much of it even in Greenyille.-
To be source of profit, it must be pure, and oc-
cur in large beds. The pure ore needs no prepara-
ton for market but may be sent off lust as it is
dug out of the hills. After the railroad is COM
pleted it could be easily disposed of.
Among the specimens were several rich lesd
ores. These were of two kinds-the carbonate
of lead, and galeHa.
| The lead of East Tennessee Is becoming i'm
portsnt, and deserves more attention than it has
received shall say more hereafter in regard to
those ores.
Besides these minerals mentioned, many others
of less interest were brought il.
From what has been seen feel assured that
Greene county will afford her share of mineral
wealth. Her iron ores will receive careful atten-
ton as soon as the various duties of the survey
will permit,
It is my intention to deYota mueh time and la
Dor this season to the question of the probability
of finding copper within the limits of this ant
the adjoining counties. 1t is desirable that ths
region in which this metal may be found, be close
ly marked out.
The following mode of detecting copper vii
be found to be simple and effective, and by care
fully attending to the different steps in the process
any one who can procure a dimes worth of aqua
forts, or what is the same, nitric acid, will b.
able to show the presence of the metal in min
ersl that contsins but trace of it.
In the first place, reduce the mineral to be test
ed, to powder. Let portion of this powder
say about as much as can be taken up on fiv
cent piece-be roasted. This is easily done b
=, heating it on a common shovel untilit begins {
get red hot. f-sg ---Es
The next step is, to take the roasted powder
: half as much as indicated above will be best-an
place it on piece of broken plate or saucer
q watch glass would be best. Then drop on en-
ough aquafortis to make thin paste with th
: powder Let it stand thus few minutes, the
add, drop by drop, about as much water.
In case the mineral contains an abundance
copper, it is only necessary to insert into tn
liquid clean, bright, knife blade, when it will
: once become coated with copper. !
In case the mineral contains but little of Il
). metal it might be wholly over looked in this wa
). To detect small quantity Of the mltal it will
necessary to get rid of most of the aquafortis b
! fore inserting the knife blade. This is done
It holding the piece of plate or saucer over a fe
n Goals. until the powder becomes nearly dry, ths
,s add q few drops of water again, and insert Il
ID blade If any copper be present. it will final