ALABAMA MICA DEPOSITS 101 



adopted by the different operators have apparently had 

 in mind only the simplest and most rapid recovery of 

 mica with the least possible expenditure of time and cap- 

 ital, and have had no reference to permanent and most 

 economic continuous mine operation. 



From the fact that kaolin, some undecomposed feld- 

 spar, quartz, and mica show in the shaft all the way down 

 from top to bottom for some 30 to 40 feet (the measures 

 so cut, dipping as stated 60 S. E.) an overlying lenticu- 

 lar mass is here indicated separate and distinct from the 

 underlying pegmatite chute, originally outcropping 

 where it had a thickness of only 6 inches, widening 

 to 2'6" at the lowest point reached in stoping it down. 



This overlying and larger pegmatite chute, which would 

 appear to be by far the best expectancy of the mine, has 

 thus far received no practical test, either as to its mica- 

 ized condition in the direction of its strike, or to proper 

 depth following the dip to lower levels. 



The pegmatite has no unusual characteristics and lies 

 in apparent conformity with the enclosing schists. A 

 comparatively small amount of quartz of large size has 

 been thus far found to be a component part, and as is 

 generally the case, the best mica recovered has been found 

 on and near such enclosures of larger quartz aggregates. 



Also the best grade of mica recovered has been at the 

 lower levels, where A-mica was of less frequent occur- 

 rence or altogether absent, and as stated, no test has yet 

 been made of what should be the best expectancy of the 

 mine, viz ; below water level. 



Other developments made by present mine owners, 

 consisting of the deepening of the old Ivey shaft and the 

 driving of a west horizontal entry some 80 ft. from the 

 bottom of the shaft, were of small practical value or 

 utility for obvious reasons, the entry not having reached 

 the original or underlying ore body, and being largely 

 placed in the intervening schists. 



In the various and more recent operations of the pres- 

 ent owners, approximately 2,000 Ibs. of flat sheet mica 

 are stated to have been recovered, ranging in size from 

 11/^x2, to 4x6 inches. Occasional small amounts of bio- 

 tite have been encountered in the mine. 



5 MB 



