40 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA 



the lines of demarkation of the igneous and metamorphic 

 rocks, as shown on the Geological Map of Alabama by 

 Eugene Allen Smith, State Geologist, issued by the Geo- 

 logical Survey of Alabama in 1904. The lines of demark- 

 ation referred to and so drawn on this map by Dr. Smith 

 will serve to define and mark out the mica area of the 

 State. Comprised within this area, are all or portions 

 of ten counties, which in the order of their present par- 

 tially proven and relative importance, are Randolph, Clay, 

 Tallapoosa, Coosa, Cleburne, Chambers, Elmore, Talla- 

 dega and Lee. The mica pegmatite occurrences are com- 

 prised within a number of parallel belts of general north- 

 east to southwest strike, entering Alabama along the 

 Georgia state line, and terminating at various points 

 along the areal limit of the igneous and metamorphic for- 

 mations. Topographically, the eastern half of the area 

 is traversed from northeast to southwest almost cen- 

 trally by the Tallapoosa River, the western half being 

 intersected and approximately bordered by the Coosa 

 River, on which included portion of the Coosa is located 

 the present main hydro-electric power plant of the Ala- 

 bama Power Company, and also the location of the new 

 power plant at the Mitchell Dam now in process of con- 

 struction in Section 15, Township 21 South, Range 16 

 East, Coosa-Chilton counties. By these two rivers and 

 their tributaries, the entire area is drained and abun- 

 dantly watered. 



The mica deposits lie at various elevations, ranging 

 from 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Some are located 

 upon summits or abrupt slopes, others on plateau or form- 

 er plateau, and on valley levels .and slopes, for the most 

 part carrying fairly light over burden of residual clays. 

 Favorable conditions as to mine drainage are often pre- 

 sented, although in many cases, water level is quickly 

 reached and has presented discouragements. In some of 

 the best and most fully developed deposits however, ideal 

 drainage conditions are available. The level of the ground 

 water encountered necessarily varies widely. 



The quality and character of the mica recovered varies 

 in different localities, the variations presented being con- 



