W. M. Gooch Mine, Lumpkin Co., Georgia, USAi

Regional Level Types
W. M. Gooch Mine	Mine
Lumpkin Co.	County
Georgia	State
USA	Country

The two openings which constitute this mine were made half a mile south of the Scott mine. Mica is said to have been discovered here by J. W. (Shotgun) Walker, and these works are now on his estate.

Sheet mica of excellent quality is found on the dump and around a horseshoe-shaped excavation. Work here was done by Major Graham C. Dugas shortly after the first World War. Carper worked at this place about 1924 at which time he is said to have shipped sheet mica to North Carolina by Parcel Post.

According to reports, the original workings consisted of a drift into the south side of the horseshoe, but the dump to the west now covers the point where mining began. A shaft 16-18 feet deep (now entirely filled) was made at the head of this drift.

The country rock is deeply weathered biotite gneiss striking N. 57° E. and dipping to the northwest. The only pegmatite exposed occurs on the northeast side of the horseshoe-shaped opening. At this place, it is rather fine-grained and contains no sheet mica; it appears to be an unproductive off-shoot from the pegmatite dike.

It is unfortunate that so little can be determined concerning the position and character of the pegmatite, for some considerable work will be necessary by experienced mica miners to disclose the "vein." The mica is hard, clear, free of spots and rum-colored. Bill Walker reports that books of mica 6 by 8 inches trimmed for shipment were gotten from this mine. Very little "A" mica is observed at the mine, but some books are cracked. Numerous specimens of white, sugary quartz, some as large as two feet in diameter, occur in the dump and around the mine. They are marked frequently with the impression of mica books. Books, which will measure 2 by 3 inches, may be found around the dump. The muscovite from this mine is associated with a considerable amount of biotite. The biotite is found both in the crystals of muscovite and free in the dump.

Some 450 yards south of the opening described above, there is an open cut 35 feet deep at the head, about 100 feet long, and seven feet wide driven into the hill in the direction of N. 67° E. along the strike of the pegmatite. The main body of the pegmatite which appears to crosscut the country rock is not exposed. This mine, also on the J. W. Walker estate, is said to be one of the first mica mines of the Yahoola District. It was worked by the Pitner Mining Company about 1908-9, and by Graham C. and Ernest Dugas shortly after the World War.

The mica is clear, flat, hard, and splits well; some books of "wedge-A" are found. Books of punch size and larger occur around the waste pile. The largest clear, flat book found will sheet 2 by 4 inches. It is obvious that good sheet mica was obtained from both localities described above. but reports on both mines are confused, thus history of production is obscure.