The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-08-21
RICH IN NATIVE MINERAL.
Region South of the Ducktown Cope
Area Described by the United State
Geological Survey.

Region South of the Ducktown Copper
Area Described by the United States
Geological Survey.
Another unit has been added to the
great geologic atlas of the country which
the United States geological survey is
constructing. This is the result of the
surveys and investigations Of the area
known as the Ellijay quadrangle, in
4 Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee,
by biologists Laurence La Forge and w.
c. Phalen. Only small portion of the
quadrangle is included in North Caro-
lima and Tennessee. Important towns
within the area are Copperhill, Tenn,
and Blue Ridge and Ellijay, Ca. Cop
perhill is the headquarters of the Ten
nessee Copper Co., while few miles
to the north, at Isabella, just outside
of the quadrangle, are the headquarters
OF the Ducktown Copper, Sulphur & Iron
Co.
The geology and mineral resources Of
the quadrangle are described in the folio
just issued by the survey, with accom-
panying topographic and geologic maps.
OF most interest to the public is the dis
cussion of the economically valuable
minerals and rocks of the region, which
include, among the metals, gold, copper,
and iron ores principally, together with
manganese, silver and lead ores of less
Importance; and among the non metallic
minerals and rocks, marble, dolomite,
mica, tale, abrasive materials, and
graphite. There are important mineral
springs in the area which are visited
during the summer by people from the
lower and hotter parts of Georgia. The
power of the streams that come tumb-
ling down from heights of the Blue
Ridge, which cuts across the area from
northwest to southeast, is another valu
able resource. As an illustration, the
towns Of Blue Ridge and Copperhill are
now lighted by electricity deprived from
installations on Fightingtown creek.
Toceoa river affords possibility OF
large future development of power.
The gold in the area is found in veins
and in placer deposits and has been
mined in many widely scattered places.
1t is reported that the largest nugget OF
gold ever found in Georgia came from
the placer mine at Whitepath, in the
western part of the quadrangle. This
nugget was valued at 81 100.
Prospecting for copper has resulted in
the discovery of number of more or |
less promising prospects in the north |
western part of the area few of which |
have been opened, worked for short
time, and then abandoned. The ore in
some of the prospects is regarded as |
having an origin similar to that of the /
important ore deposits in the area TO
the north, fact which should make 1
them of more than ordinary interest
and field for future and careful in
yestigation.
Iron and manganese ores occur along
or near the faults of the valley area.
The iron ore is of the brown type. I'm
portant deposits of this type are now
being worked near Talona, Just at The
west edge of the quadrangle, and it is
more than likely that with careful pros
pecting. other deposits will be found,
The folio text indicates that geologic re-
lations of the ore. and if it is studied
in conjunction with the geologic maps
the folio, a clear idea
should be obtained Of places where 9th
er and similar deposits may be expected ;
to occur.
Marble is also an important resource
IF the Ellijay area. To judge from ply
steal appearances alone the marble of
the quadrangle ranks high among
Georgia marbles, which, as is well
known, stand among the best in
strength, low absorption, and resistance
70 weathering. Though the marble has
hitherto not been quarried on a large
scale for building purposes, it has been
ised for fuS, and the magnesion phases
nave been used in the manufacture of
EPSON salts and carbon dioxide.
The mineral resources of the quadran
tie are described in detail in the folio
ind map showing the locations of the
principal mineral deposits is also includ
d. The Ellijay folio comprises IL pages
# text, four maps and columnar and ,
ross sections. The price is % cents, !
md copies may be purchased from the ,
Iirector, I. S. geological survey, Wash ,
ngton, d. C.