Pine Mountain Mine tours August 3rd and 4th

Quartz Corporation in Spruce Pine is offering mine tours during the NC Mineral and Gem Festival. Here are the details from the festival website:

We are excited to partner with Quartz Corporation to offer two nights of mine tours during the NC Mineral and Gem Festival this year.

TOUR DETAILS

Thursday August 3rd 7-9 PM
Friday August 4th 7-9 PM

Tours will meet at the NC Mineral and Gem Festival site 30 minutes prior to the tour for safety training. Transportation to and from the mine will be provided. Tours will be conducted by staff from the mine (Quartz Corporation).

Hard hats and safety goggles will be provided. Mine Tour participants are welcome to bring gathering bags or buckets and any tools. Tour participants will be able to collect and keep what they find during the tour.

Mine Tour participants must reserve their spot in advance by contacting the Festival office at 828-765-9033 or emailing pjensen@mitchell-county.com. $25 Per Person

Hard hats and safety goggles will be provided. Mine Tour participants are welcome to bring gathering bags or buckets and any tools. Tour participants will be able to collect and keep what they find during the tour.

ABOUT PINE MOUNTAIN MINE

Pine Mountain Mine is one of the largest operating mines in North America. Mining began in the 1950's in the Pine Mt Mine for Feldspar. The primary ore is Pegmatite and Alaskite. The minerals that can be found there in large quantities are Quartz (Smokey and Pink), Feldspar (potassium and calcium), Muscovite mica, garnet, and Biotite schist. The mine is currently being mined for Feldspar, Quartz, and Mica and is active and supplies both processing facilities at Minpro and Altapass in Spruce Pine.

From: http://www.ncgemfest.com/mine-tours-2017.html