Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

If any body is interested. This is an old zinc and iron mining community in East Tennessee. It is located in Unicoi County and is known as Bumpass Cove. Lots of good mineral specimens including a wide variety of zinc minerals. It is said the lead was mined here for the battle of Kings Mountain and silver mines was also present. It resides near the town of Erwin. Most of it is on private land and some on government. The creeks off the side of the road are full of stuff. I usually just hop out of the car and ease down into the creeks. If you go way off the road you need to get permission or make sure digging is allowed in that area. I have displayed a map below with location of all the mines in the area. If anybody is interested in this I will try to improve the picture quality.

Re: Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

You might also want to watch those creeks......the old mine area is an EPA Superfund site. They hauled stuff in from all over the east coast in the mid-late 70's until the folks that live in the cove finally blocked the little bridge going in there and raised enough stink to stop it.
Lot of poisoned wells in Bumpass Cove.

Another interesting area is "California Fields" between Bumpass Cove and I-26 at Erwin. Gold has been found in the creek coming down just downstream from the Devils Looking Glass on the Nolichuckey river......and I know a guy that worked on the cuts of I-26 south of Erwin who said they ran up on a vein of gold bearing quartz when they cut the new highway. He said the State came in, moved them off the job, and worked it for 2 weeks....but he managed to get a small piece before that and you could actually see the gold in the quartz.....that has GOT to be a rich amount if you can actually see it.

Also, gold mine in Washington County, Limestone Community off 11E....there is actually a shaft and tipple there, in a formation of surface shale.

I know a place in the Nolichuckey that if a person had a small dredge, I suspect you could come up with some ounces of gold...it would have to be worked in low water, like August.....But I've always wanted to get in there.

Re: Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

Andy, ifn' you ever want to do a prospectin trip, let me know. I'd love to give it a shot. have to be on the weekend. Not all of us are retired.

Incidentally...can't read a thing on the map.

Where's the "X" marks the spot???

Re: Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

What map ?


:D

Re: Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

We must be close! I am near Greeneville.

Re: Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

Yeah....you're downriver. We flush, you get it. ahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa

Re: Silver and Zinc Locality in East Tennessee
 

HAHA! :hahaha: Funny, but I do live on the river! I drink bottled water though! :D