| Basis for focus area |
Belt based on favorable geology (Mesozoic and Cenozoic sands near the Fall Zone); known producers, prospects, and occurrences (MRDS, USMIN); geophysical anomalies (radiometric Th), geochemical data (Ti, REE, Y). |
| Identified resources |
Historical production of titanium (ilmenite) and zirconium (zircon). |
| Production |
Unknown. |
| Status |
Past mining. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
Horton and others (2017), scale 1:500,000; Richmond and others (1987a, 1987b), scale 1:1,000,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric data: aeromagnetic coverage 80% Rank 4, 20% Rank 3; aeroradiometric 70% Rank 4; 20% Rank 3, 10% Rank 5. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Atlantic Coastal Plain sands in the vicinity of the Fall Zone. |
| Deposits |
Virginia: Old Hickory (multiple deposits); North Carolina: Aueralian Springs (prospect); South Carolina: Aiken County mine, Horse Creek mine (USMIN Site_ID: SC00004). |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS; USMIN. |
| Geochemical evidence |
Elevated Ti, La, other REE. |
| Geophysical evidence |
Radiometric eTh highs where data available; excellent correlation with deposits. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Unknown. |
| Comments |
This is a known deposit area and recent past producer (Virginia-Old Hickory; mining ended in 2016) with recent prospects in North Carolina. Land use in this belt is more favorable than other placer deposit belts closer to the Atlantic coast. Radiometric data known to assist locating deposits near the surface. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Limited to no cover. |
| Authors |
Anjana K. Shah, W.R. Doar, III, K.M. Farrell, S. Howard, William L. Lassetter, G. Means, R.H. Morrow, IV. |
| New data needs |
Geophysical data, geologic mapping, and geochemical analyses. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
Surface mapping will assist locations of sands; modeling to locate favorable strata at depth. Geochemical analyses to assess the resource quality/grade. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
High resolution aeroradiometric data to assist locations of heavy mineral sand deposits. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar variable across this large focus area -- either complete or in progress. |
