Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-13
MANGANESE PROSPECTS
IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Government and State biologists
Mako Reports That Arc Very
Encouraging.
PROSPECTING is RECOMMENDED
Rich Deposits in Augusta and Rock
ingham Counties; Also in Page
and Warrcn-All Situated Near
Railway Lines.

logica, Survey and OF the Virginia Geo
logical Survey made an extended study
of the relations of the manganese de-
posts to the rocks and to the surface
features in the Shenandoah Valley, and
have come to definite conclusions
which they believe will aid in the dis
covcry of more manganese deposits.
The Manufacturers Record reviews the
partial report the biologists have made,
and draws conclusions worth while.
Conditions in the six tracts described
appear to be favorable for the accunlu-
lation of ores OF manganese and man
EanifcrouS iron. and the report recon-
Inends prospecting in them with d view
to the discovery OF workable deposits.
Any ores that may be found in these
tracts are probably deeply covered
by gravel or wash that exploration
should be made by drilling. The tracts
arc indicated below in the order of
greatest promise.
Tract No. lies two miles southwest
Of Elkton. within mile OF the Norfolk
and Western Railway. 1t is a trianSu-
lar area about half n milo long. and
comprises about $50 acres lying be-
tween the white Quart2;e ridges local
j. called Little Pincy Mountain. on the
northwest, and Big riucy Mountain, on
the southeast. The structure Of the
rocks in the surrounding mountains,
the fayorably located basin filled with
wash and the observed presence of
manganese ore in the trough justify
the recommendation that this triangu-
lar area be thoroughly prospccted.
MANGANESE ORE IN AUGUSTA
AND ROCKINGHAM COUNTIES
Tract No. . lies between two spurs
Of the Blue Ridge in Augusta County,
about three miles southwest OF Shcn-
andcah. and six miles south southwest
OF Lyndhurst. 1t is about midway be-
tween the Kennedy mine on the
northwest, and tho Mt. TORY minc on
the southeast and Is drained by Mills
Creek. = lumber railroad over which
ore from these two mines Is shipped
passes just north Of the tract. and joins
the Norfolk and Western Railway near
Lipscomb. The structural conditions in
this tract are favorable for the &C
cumulatton of manganese ore in COM
ncrcial quantity, and though none has
heen reported there, possibly because
the basin is deeply filled with wash.
the tract deserves thorough prospect
ing by drilling.
Tract No. lies between Grindstone
and Piney Mountains two foothills OF
the Blue Ridge, shout five miles north
east OF Eikton. Most OF il is in Rock
ingham County, but part is in Page
County. Naked Creek, which flows near
/ the north cage OF the tract, forms the
boundary line between the two coun-
tics. Sc far S could he learned. no
prospecting for manganese has been
done in this tract. but the Watson
mine is about a mile north-norihw
OF 1t. and number of manganese pros
poets arc scattered along the west base
of Grindstonc Mountain between the
mine and the tract
This tract is favoratly situated for
the accumulation OF ore, because the
jsNncline from which ore could have
been concentrated is broad and open
Even if no ore has Leen reported here,
the tract should be thoroughly pros
pected by drilling or by digging pits
Prospecting in the fats along Naked
Creek and its tributary that flows
northward at the west base OF Pincv
Mountain is not recommended for
little, il any, residual clay in which
manganese ore would be deposited oc-
ours here between the alluvium and
the unal,ered limestone. Prospecting
should hc confined TO the area between
these two creeks.
CONVENIENT TO THE
TRANSPORTATION LINES
Tract No. 4. which lies three miles
northeast OF WayRcsboro, is an rrcgu-
lar lowland ihfcloscf' by low hills.
This region rs SERVED by the Norfolk
and Western Railway and the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway, which cross
at Basic City
prospect Pat SUNK northeast
Bear Mountain found considerable man
sancse ore. and two other prospect pits
on the west flank of Ramsey Mountain
also yielded float ore. The whole low
land southwest OF Ramsey Mountain
and southeast Of Bear Mountain is be-
Heved to be underlain by limestone
and the structure in this area. there
fore appears to be favorable for the
accumulation OF ore.
The structure in tho triangular val
ley, which extends from Ramsey Noun
tain to Bear Mountain, and which has
+ TWO northward stretching synclinal
pronEs, makes it favorable ground for
deposits of manganese and il should
be tested by drill holes or pits This
valley Includes about one square mile
The small syncliual valleys west and
south*es, of Bear Mountain may also
contain worka Bile deposits
ORE FOUND IN PAGE
AND WAHREN COUNTIES
Tract No. IS wedge-shaped EN-
payment SIN miles due south of Luray
and just northeast Of Marksvflle II
is limestone valley inclosed Nv
quartzite ridges and Il the surround
ing rocks contain manganese. III.
structure is favorable for its conccn-
tration. so Tar as could he learned. II
mas not Yet been prospected for man
sahesc The part OF the embayrn<n,
that lies south of the stream and ,oad
is a lowland. in which there ia little
coarse wash and has apparently been
recently secured by the stream, so that
II any ore was ever deposited there. il
nus p'oDa Dry oeen removed by erosion.
me hiehtr part OF the area north of
the road, when i deeply covered with
wash is more favorable for the oc
crrrence OF orc, particularly that por-
ton Of II that lies a, or near tn.
saddle in the valley between the outer
. ridge and the main ridge
Tract No, 6 is a small area ncar "a.
Seibei manganese nin.. at fIappy
creek station. on the Southern Rail-
road. three miles cast OF Front ROYAL
The structure IN the small valley and
mountain slope northeast Of the mine
rs iaVorablc Tor the accumulation Of
manganese ore ana such or. has hen
FOUND here on the surface and in pros
K pect pits This tract can be most
readily prospected with the drill Tn.