The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-23

Iron Ore.-Large and rich deposits Of
many varieties are found cropping out
along the James River canal above and
below the city, and in the country adjacent.
A few of these have been explored, and
such rs have been worked have yielded
satisfactory returns. The two varieties
found in greatest abundance are Brown
Heinatite and Magnetic. The former yields
in the furnace about 40 per cent. and by
analysis 50 per cent. The quality of the
iron is very superior, and is extensively
used in the manufacture of railroad car
wheels, &c. The magnetic ore is of the
best quality. Many of these mines are
Immediately ON the bank of the canal, near
this city, and the ore can be delivered from
them at very small cost. Specular and
other varieties are also found in this region,
but the deposits have been only partially
explored. La view of the abundant water
power, facilities for transportation, cheap
ness of labor and of living, proximity to
market and supply of raw material, more
inviting iron-producing region than this
cannot be found. -..
Coal.-There are extensive deposits of
Bituminous coal on the canal short dis
lance above Richmond, and so miles be-
low Lynchburg on the A. M. & o. r. R.,
in Prince Edward and Cumberland coun-
ties. The former have been worked for
many years, some Of them very successful
~. The lines of railway now building to
the Ohio river, and to North Carolina,
which will soon be completed, penetrate
the coal fields of North Carolina, and the
immense deposits of Camel and Bitumin-
GUS Goals in the valleys of the Kanawha
and New river. These Goals can be deliv-
cred in Lynchburg at cost of three dol
lars ton. The extensive tracts of forest
lands along the line of the canal, will for a
long time, supply cheap fuel for the manu-
facture of charcoal iron.
Limestone. -Inexhaustable quarries are
found along the canal above and below this
city. Lime of the best quality is now
manufactured from these quarries to linn
tied extent. l".a.' ....E-a.
Hydraulic Limestone. best Hy-
draulc cement is made in large quantities
from the deposits along the canal above
Lynchbnrg.
Granite in great abundance, granular
quartz for lining furnaces, sandstone for
building, and soap stone Of good quality
are found in this vicinity.
GrindStones. -There is a quarry of this
valuable stone near the Lynchburg and
Danville railroad. The grindstoDes used
here are brought from Canada, and are
worth from three to four &C nts per pound
lNdr6te.- Extensiye quarries of several
varieties are found in the vicinity of this
city, on the railroads and canal. Some of
these marbles are susceptible of the finest
polish. Capital and skill might be EN-.
ployed with great profit in working them.
The marble used III this region is brought
from the North or from Europe. The COM
mon kinds are worth here three dollars and
Il half per foot, and the finer qualities
twenty-five dollars per foot. '.a.
Slate.-Extensive quarries of the best
quality are found near the canal, above and
below Lynchburg. Several of these quar-
ries have been opened, and are successful
ly worked by companies of Welshmen.
Much of this slate is shipped to the North
ern cities.
Manganese, Iron, Py4tes, Mica, Sui
l'hote Of Bmyta, PlGmsago, suitable for
crucibles, Kaolm and Pottcrs' Clay, exist in
large quantities along the canal and rail-
ways leading into this city. e.h
Fire Clay good quality and in great
abundance, near transportation. The fire
brick used in this State are brought either
from the North or from Europe, and sell
at 500 and SG5 per thousand. .....
Slica.-Large deposits, suitable for
making the finest glass, are found along the
canal. This is good location for a glass
factory, there being no mandatory of
this kind south of Baltimore.
Copper.-The copper belt crosses the
James river a short distance below this
. city. Mines have been opened at several
points, from time to time, but none of
them have been successfully WORKED
There are also mines in Southwest Virgil
mia, near the line of the A., NJ. and O. rail-
road.
Lead.--ls found in Nelson county and
at other points in this section. The most
extensive and profitable mines are in Wythe
county, near the A., M. and O. railroad,
Rich deposits have been recently discovered
in Montgomery county.
Zinc.-Valuable mines are found in
Southwest Virginia, which have been quite
extensively worked Much of the ore is
shipped through this city to the smelling
works of the North.
SaH.-The Salt Wells in Washington
county on the A., M. & O. railroad, have
been long known, and produce in unlimited
quantity salt of the purest quality.
GWsam.-The gypsum banks in the
same locality, show by boring thickness
of six hundred feet, and quality superior
to that brought from Nova Scotia. These
banks are only very partially developed,
while there is demand fer very large
quantity. a#fr
Gold.--The gold district is about forty
miles wide, and extends through several
countries. 1t is intersected by the James
river some thirty miles below this city.
Mines IN this district were worked by the
Indians, long before the settlement of the
country, and have since, from time to time,
been successfully worked on small scale.
Several parties are now engaged in working
some of these mines. The quartz. in the
best mines, yield on an average nearly $50
to the ton. One man recently took 500
worth of gold from one days surface
washing, with the labor of three boys. 1t
is believed that mines of great richness
might be opened in many portions Of the
gold district. Nearly two millions Of dol
lars of gold, the product of these mines,
have been deposited in the United States
Mint.