ALABAMA MICA DEPOSITS 67 



is 55 feet deep and was originally connected with shaft 

 B., which has a depth of 35 feet, by a circuitous entry. 

 Very little practical information or benefit appears to 

 have been gained from these two shafts, although some 

 good mica was recovered from there. Shaft E., located 

 near the outcrop, was further exploited by another cir- 

 cuitous entry intended to reach shaft D., with which it is 

 understood it was finally connected. All these opera- 

 tions appear to have been largely preliminary to the 

 final and practical development of the mine as above de- 

 scribed by means of shaft D., and the slope. 



The pegmatite body developed is a coarse aggregate 

 of fairly uniform width, having a maximum thickness 

 in the mine workings of 18 feet, and containing few if 

 any inclusions, partings, or horses. It appears to lie in 

 general conformity with the enclosing rocks which are 

 red mica gneiss. 



As above stated, the mica recovered in all workings 

 near the surface, was mainly of A-form, but in the final 

 and lowest working levels and entries, flat mica, of stead- 

 ily improving grade, replaced almost altogether the sur- 

 face mica of defective crystallization. It was found to 

 be located along the contacts, and mainly with the foot- 

 wall, and in kaolin. 



Some estimate may be formed of the ruling mica per- 

 centages in the "vein", and the cost of recovery, from 

 the stated fact that in final slope operation, from 2,200 to 

 2,600 pounds per day was the average with a working 

 force of 5 men. 



The best expectancy of this mine, both as to grade and 

 amount is indicated as carried below water level and has 

 not as yet therefore been determined. 



As stated by the superintendent Mr. Tapley, the gross 

 amount of mica recovered by the present operating com- 

 pany has been approximately 40 tons. About 32,000 

 pounds of run-of-mine block was weighed up, out of 

 which 3,100 pounds of smooth flat amber muscovite was 

 sheeted and sold. As in all these mines and prospects, 

 practically no scrap has been made use of or as yet sold. 



Exhibit sample, serial Nos. 114-115 are from the Lib- 

 erty mine. 



