| Basis for focus area |
Favorable geology and past production. |
| Identified resources |
Historical production of aluminum (bauxite). |
| Production |
Bauxite was mined at two mines near Spottswood, Virginia, from 1940 to 1946. Total production was about 30,000 long tons, from deposits associated with limestone. |
| Status |
Past mining. |
| Estimated resources |
The United States Geological Survey has withheld US bauxite tonnages since 1988, so as not to reveal proprietary information. |
| Geologic maps |
Werner (1965), scale 1:62,500. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric data: aeromagnetic data Rank 4; aeroradiometric data Rank 5. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Residual material in pockets in areas underlain by carbonate rocks. Bauxite and associated kaolin occur as residual deposits in karst/sinkholes in mainly upper Cambrian and lower Ordovician carbonates, Knox Group. |
| Deposits |
Harris mine (MRDS dep_id: 10080674), Allen mine (MRDS dep_id: 10080673), Lofton bauxite and kaolin (MRDS dep_id: 10068422), Newport kaolin and bauxite (MRDS dep_id: 10068423), Raphine bauxite and kaolin (MRDS dep_id: 10068421), Lightner mine, Yargo Farm, Houston mine, Cold Spring clay mine, Mine Bank Mn mine, Chalk Run deposits. |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS. |
| Geochemical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Geophysical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Unknown. |
| Comments |
Lightner mine, operated by Republic Mining and Manufacturing Co, is an open pit 200-ft long by 60-ft wide, 10-40-ft depth. Mixture of kaolin and bauxite. Also noted separate kaolin deposit nearby, 15,000 cu yds 38.2% Al2O3. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Exposed to covered. |
| Authors |
Nora K. Foley, William L. Lassetter. |
| New data needs |
Geochemistry. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
None requested at this time. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
Framework geology: Aeromagnetic data may image mafic rocks, associated structures, and possibly alteration zones. Radiometric data can help with geologic mapping in vegetated terrane. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar available. |
