| Basis for focus area |
Tin associated with greisen from weathering of the Neoproterozoic Irish Creek diorite. Past producer of Sn, W, and Be. |
| Identified resources |
Historical production of tin. |
| Production |
Small, probably less than 1,000 tons of ore. |
| Status |
Past mining. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
Carter and others (2016), scale 1:24,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate Rank 4 aeromagnetic and Rank 5 aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Irish Creek diorite, shear zones. |
| Deposits |
Irish Creek mine (No. 1 and No. 2; also called Cash mine and Panther Run mine (MRDS dep_id: 10008886; USMIN Site_ID: VA00010). |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS; USMIN. |
| Geochemical evidence |
See Fordham (1978). |
| Geophysical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Unknown. |
| Comments |
Cassiterite was discovered along Irish Creek in the Blue Ridge in the northern part of Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1846, but active prospecting and development work were not begun until 1884. Production has been small, probably less than 1,000 tons of ore, and has come chiefly from workings on Panther Run, a small tributary near the headwaters of Irish Creek. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Bedrock at the surface. |
| Authors |
William L. Lassetter, Nora K. Foley, Bernard E. Hubbard. |
| New data needs |
Geophysics, geochemical analyses of greisen, pluton and in situ regolith, geophysics. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
Geochemical analyses of greisen, pluton and in situ regolith. Geologic mapping to better constrain distribution and field relationship shear zones and diorite. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
High resolution aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage to help with framework geology. Aeromagnetic data may image mafic rocks, associated structures, and possibly alteration zones. Radiometric data can help with geologic mapping in vegetated terrane. Electromagnetic data may assist with imaging sulfides. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar complete. |
