Wilmington Journal

Editors N. C. Standard—Gentlemen:—

The frequent inquiries which have been made of late, respecting the mining interests of this State, induce me to say a very few words upon this subject.

It is very certain that the value of mining property cannot be estimated from the prices of mining stocks in the New York market. This has been illustrated during the last year or two, with North Carolina Gold and Copper mines. I assumed the responsibility of stating in the Mining Journal, a year ago, the causes which had operated in depressing the mining interests of this State; and now, after further exploration and observation, I find the opinion which I then expressed sustained. To satisfy those who are interested in the success of North Carolina mines, I will state, very briefly, a few facts which I have obtained by direct observation; and, I may state, I have enjoyed every facility for obtaining correct information, both by examination of the underground workings, and of the books and accounts whenever I wished. In the first place, I will call the attention of the reader to the Gold Hill mine, and state that the books show the earnings for the month of January, 1855, to have been $10,625 16; for February, $3,336 76; March, $1,280 92; April, $13,696 81; May, $11,642 61; June, $2,051 08. The average expense per month, for eight months of the year, for working the mine, amounts to $3,389. The amount of gold taken out of the mine in a month has reached as high as $15,000; and it may be stated that the net gain per month, at the present time, exceeds $10,000. The vein has been worked to a depth of 400 feet, and it gives an increase of gold as the workings are carried down.

The North Carolina Copper mine, known as the Ferriss mine, has more than sustained itself during the past year. It has had its fluctuations, it is true; but it has been improving, and is capable of furnishing more copper than at any former time. One shoot of ore furnished about $7,000 worth of ore, which was raised and prepared for market at an expense of about $2,000. At the present time it yields 250 barrels of 20 per cent ore per month, besides a large quantity of 12 per cent. ore, which, at the present advancing price of metal, may be sent to market at a fair profit. The seam of solid copper pyrites is 22 inches wide, on the borders of which there is found 4 feet of quartz, rich in metal; all of which is bounded by a fissure 12 feet wide. This great width constitutes the vein; and from these facts we are warranted in the belief that it will prove one of the most valuable mines in this country.

The Washington mine, in Davidson, is now successfully worked, after having been unimproved for the last three years. The difficulty heretofore has been in separating the zinc from the lead; this is now accomplished by the use of Bradford's Separator, which enables them to smelt at a much less cost than formerly. The prospect now is, that it will become one of the most valuable mines in the country. I might enumerate many valuable gold and copper mines, some of which cannot be said to enjoy a reputation beyond the immediate neighborhood of their location, but which are paying mines. The Fisher Hill mine, in Guilford; the Jones mine, and the Ward mine, in Davidson; the Rymer mine, in Rowan; the Russell mine, in Montgomery; the Pioneer, in Cabarrus; the Ore Knob copper mine, in Ashe; the Howie mine, all of them valuable mines.

I think it safe to predict that the copper mines of this State will prove as prominent and profitable as any sulphuret mines now known.

But gold and copper mines, although enriching their proprietors, and undoubtedly adding greatly to the general prosperity of the State, do not equal, in the latter particular, coal and iron. The unavoidable delay in the completion of improvements upon Cape Fear and Deep Rivers, has been discouraging to those interested in the coal fields, and caused doubts in the minds of others, as to their value. The causes of the delays, it is said, are the difficulty of procuring laborers; but there is nothing to indicate that the improvements are not perfectly feasible, and that there is no impediment to their being carried out; and they will hence be completed in due time. The different companies are ready to take coal to market as soon as the improvements are completed. Railroads will also be built to the coal fields, from Fayetteville, and South Carolina only requires a charter to build one immediately; and there should be a road from Raleigh.

Of the amount of coal on Deep River, there can no longer be any doubt. Situated in the midst of an agricultural country—timber also abundant—the facilities for mining are equal to those of any coal field in the United States; and it will be proved in a short time, that its transportation to market will be as cheap as any similar coal in the country. In connection with the coal are inexhaustible beds of iron ore. The great shaft at Egypt, now in progress, is carried down between 300 and 400 feet. Beds of iron ore have been cut, which will furnish any amount of ore, of a quality which will produce cast iron, equal in every respect to the Scotch pig.

The value of the coal of Deep River, and the influence it will have upon the prosperity of the State, when once opened to market, cannot be overestimated. This, alone, will make the rates of exchange between this State and New York in favor of the former, a circumstance which will be a great relief in negotiating her bonds. Hence, the work upon Deep River should be hastened to a completion.

Much more might be said respecting the value of the mining interests of this State; but I deem it unnecessary to enter into farther details at this time, as I shall embody in my forthcoming report, the principal facts, which I have recorded, and which may be regarded as important for the public to know.

E. EMMONS,
Geologist to the State of N. C.
RALEIGH, Jan 21, 1856.