Mineral Mining in the Region (Roanoke, Franklin: to move, rich, radio)

[Justme2010]

Somehow it occurs to me big mountains tend to possess rich minerals, the Bluge Ridge is probably no exception... looking around our state's minieral department's web site, and some vague text seems to suggest that many of these mineral were no longer mined because they were bought by the fed (as strategic natural resources?), and if that's the case, I'm not going to waste another minute of my time on this... knowledgable people please shed some light, thanks.

[seanpecor]

I think the minerals that exist in most stretches of the blue ridge are not at the concentration that exists to make mining them profitable. The exceptions include basic materials like limestone where you'll have substantial quarries like that of Rocky Dale's next to the blue ridge parkway entrance in Roanoke off of Route 220. They mine substantial amounts of limestone there for aggregates ranging from rock dust to large chunks of "rip wrap". They've got another 40 years of limestone left at that quarry; recently, they've done major grading just off Route 220 to move their scales, improve the entrance/exit road and facilitate the expansion of the quarry.

I'm not familiar with strip mining for coal but I think that's not done as much in the blue ridge? Mostly in far SWVA and into WV?

Ages ago there were lots of smaller mines mining a variety of minerals. For example, about 100-150 years ago there were Talc and Iron mining operations in Franklin County. Lots of iron mining in SWVA; in fact it's my understanding SWVA supplied much of the iron for artillery and munitions during the Civil War. But I just know what I pick up from public radio on this subject

Sean

[Justme2010]

Thanks, Sean.

[sregorat3]

There is an old gold mine in Buckingham Cty, near Dillwyn. By the way, anyone know what the "Sapc Mines" site is on the west side of the parkway, just south of Rt. 43?

[Justme2010]

Gold mine? Very slim probability of business on my end (Were I poltically powerful here now it might change the picture, then you would have to be patient .