First gold discovery in North Carolina in 1799. No commercial gold mining in the state since the 1960s; read about these and other facts and figures about gold mining in NC.
Contents
- Is there Gold in North Carolina?
- Where is Gold in North Carolina?
- What is the History of Gold Mining in North Carolina?
- How much Gold has been Mined in North Carolina?
- What is the Current State of Gold Mining in North Carolina?
- What are Major Gold Mines in North Carolina?
- How many Gold Reserves are in North Carolina?
- What Companies Mine Gold in North Carolina?
- Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in North Carolina?
- Is it Legal to Mine Gold in North Carolina?
- Where Can I Pan for Gold in North Carolina?
- Is There Gold in Other US States?
Is there Gold in North Carolina?
Yes, there is gold in North Carolina, but no active commercial gold mining industry anymore:
- Until 1828 North Carolina was the only gold producing state in the US, and the leading gold producer in the country until 1848. After that year, California took over.
- Gold mines were in the Blue Ridge and Piedmont area.
- Gold production stopped at the beginning of the 1960s. The last significant gold production was from 1954 till 1964. This came as a byproduct of copper mining.
- Rising gold prices in the last two decades of the 20th let to the (re)opening of four mines in South Carolina. This did not happen in North Carolina.
- From 1799 till 1960 total gold output was 1,168,000 ounces (36.3 tonnes).
- Nearly 600 historic gold sites in North Carolina are listed by the US geological Survey, this includes the Fontana mine, the Ore Knob mine and the Tungsten Queen mine. Most of the sites are already closed.
Figure 1: People seeking for gold in North Carolina (The first history book of history for children and youth, 1833; UNC Libraries).
Key Takeaways:
| Fact | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Remember | First gold discovery in 1799 in North Carolina; oldest gold mine, the Reed mine in the state |
| Gold Deposits | Yes |
| Discovery Year | 1799 |
| Discoverer | Conrad Reed, a 12-year old boy |
| Mining Industry | Not active |
| Last Gold Mine | The last gold mines where closed more than 60 years ago |
| Panning Locations | Uwharrie river, around the Reed gold mine and Emerald village |
Check out the video the Reed Gold mine in North Carolina:
Where is Gold in North Carolina?
Gold in North Carolina was mined mostly in the center of the state, along the Carolina Belt (Piedmont region), and in the west, in the Blue Ridge; see map below showing historic gold mines:
Here are some notable locations where gold has been mined in North Carolina:
- Burke County: Mills property with mining until the beginning of the 20th
- Cabarrus County: The Phoenix and Reed Mines, the place of the first gold find.
- The gold hill district of Rowan county
For other locations, see the map above.
Sources: USGS
What is the History of Gold Mining in North Carolina?
Gold mining in North Carolina has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century.
Who discovered gold in North Carolina?
John Reed (Johann Reith), a former Hessian soldier who settled in Cabarrus County. Reed’s is credited with the first documented discovery of gold in the United States in 1799.
Conrad Reed, John Reed’s son, found a 17-pound gold nugget, which was initially used as a doorstop for several years before its true value was realized.
This led to the establishment of the Reed gold mine, the oldest gold mine of the United States.
When was the gold rush in North Carolina?
The gold rush in North Carolina began shortly after the discovery of the Reed gold nugget in 1799, reaching its peak in the early 1830s.
Significant gold mining activity spread across several counties following the opening of the Reed Gold Mine to public work in 1825.
Until the gold rush in California in 1849, North Carolina was the biggest gold producer in the US.
Figure 4: Reed Gold mine in North Carolina, the oldest gold mine of the US (flickr/ Neal Wellons CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed).
What was the nature of gold mining in North Carolina?
- Placer Mining: Initially, gold was extracted from stream beds using simple techniques like panning and sluicing, which involved washing sediment in a pan to separate gold.
- Lode mining: by 1850 several lode mines were opened. As surface gold became scarcer, miners began digging deeper, leading to the development of underground mining operations.
- Bechtler Mint: To handle the influx of gold, Christopher Bechtler established a private mint in Rutherford County in the 1830s, where he minted gold coins with the consent of the US government, significantly contributing to the local economy.
- Economic Impact: Gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed during its peak years. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year.
- Most productive time: This was from 1829 to 1855, during which 393,119 ounces of gold were mined.
What were famous gold mines of that area?
Two of the most famous gold mines in North Carolina are the Reed Gold Mine and the Barringer Gold Mine; see map.
The Reed Gold Mine, located in Midland, Cabarrus County, is notable for being the site of the first documented commercial gold find in the United States around 1803. It was initially operated by John Reed, who organized a small gold mining operation. The mine later transitioned from placer mining to underground mining in 1831. The Reed Gold Mine continued operations until 1912, and today, it serves as a state historic site open to the public for tours.
The Barringer Gold Mine, also known as the Historic Gold Hill Mine, is located in Stanly County. It was one of the most significant gold mines in the 1800s and was the first mine in the Southern Piedmont to utilize lode mining, which involves mining from mineral deposits. The mine was named after Matthias Tobias Barringer, who discovered gold on his property in 1839. Despite the significant amount of gold extracted from the mine, operations were hindered by a tragic flooding incident in 1904 that resulted in the drowning of eight miners. The mine has remained largely dormant since then.
When did gold mining end in North Carolina?
- Late 1800s to Early 1900s: Although North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, the focus shifted to the California Gold Rush, and by the early 1900s, gold mining had significantly declined in the state.
- Post-World War II: Some sporadic and small-scale mining operations continued into the 20th century, but most commercial gold mining had ceased by this time.
- 1964 is usually reported as the year with the last significant gold output, that came as a byproduct of copper mining.
In 1965 North Carolina was the 13th biggest gold mining state in the US, by total gold production, after New Mexico; see below. Total gold production stood at 1,168,136 troy ounce. This is around 36.3 metric tons.
How much Gold has been Mined in North Carolina?
The official gold statistic for the state, published by the US Geological Survey, shows that North Carolina produced 1,169,136 troy ounce (36.3 metric tonnes) of gold from 1799 till 1965.
Sources: USGS
What is the Current State of Gold Mining in North Carolina?
All mines have been closed more than 60 years ago. Last significant gold output was in the beginning of the 1960s.
What are Major Gold Mines in North Carolina?
Major gold mines with significant gold output were
- the Reed mine, the place of the first gold discovery
- the Gold Hill mine, the first in that area to utilize lode mining
- the Russle mine, an open pit mine of one acre (4.046m2)
How many Gold Reserves are in North Carolina?
There is no estimate about the gold reserves in North Carolina.
What Companies Mine Gold in North Carolina?
There are currently no active commercial gold mines in North Carolina. Current gold mining activities in North Carolina are amateur and hobby prospecting, primarily consisting of individual or operations.
Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in North Carolina?
There are no new gold mines explored in North Carolina.
Is it Legal to Mine Gold in North Carolina?
Yes, it is legal to mine gold in North Carolina, subject to certain regulations and guidelines.
- State Parks and Recreation Areas: It is not allowed to hunt, pan, or dig for minerals in state parks or recreation areas
- National Forests: Recreational rockhounding and gold panning are permitted on most national forest lands for personal, non-commercial purposes, with restrictions on where these activities can take place
- Private Property: Permission from the landowner is required to look for gold on private property
Overall, while recreational gold panning is a popular hobby in North Carolina, it is essential to adhere to the specific regulations of the area where you plan to engage in gold mining activities.
Sources: North Carolina Environmental Quality, US Forest Service
Where Can I Pan for Gold in North Carolina?
North Carolina offers a variety of locations for gold panning, reflecting its rich history in gold mining. Some notable places to consider include:
- Eureka Gold Panning
- Reed Gold Mine
- Thermal City Gold & Gem Mine
- Mountain Creek Gold Mine
- Gold Hill Mines Historic Park
Is There Gold in Other US States?
Check out gold production in neighboring states of North Carolina: Virginia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC), there are 11 states that mine gold and contribute towards the gold mining statistic: Nevada is responsible for the majority of gold output, around 72%, followed by Alaska (13%). 9 other contribute in sum to the remaining 15% of gold production: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.