In Tennessee gold was discovered in 1827; gold production in the state until the 1970s. There is currently no commercial gold mining in the state; read about these and other facts and figures about gold mining in TN.
Contents
- Is there Gold in Tennessee?
- Where is Gold in Tennessee?
- What is the History of Gold Mining in Tennessee?
- How much Gold has been Mined Tennessee?
- What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Tennessee?
- How many Gold Reserves are in Tennessee?
- What Companies Mine Gold in Tennessee?
- Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Tennessee?
- Is it Legal to Mine Gold in Tennessee?
- Where Can I Pan for Gold in Tennessee?
- Is There Gold in Other US States?
Is there Gold in Tennessee?
Yes, there is gold in Tennessee, but no active commercial gold mining industry anymore:
- Gold discovery in 1827; year of maximum production was in 1930 with 696 ounces (21.6 kg).
- 1978 was the last year, for which gold production numbers were recorded by the Bureau of Mines. In this decade, gold output stood at 591 (18.8 ounces). However, for two years, the publication of gold output was withheld.
- From 1829 till the 1970s total gold output was 25,425 ounces (790 kg) which made it the smallest gold producing state in the Southeastern United States for which gold output was recorded by the US Bureau of Mines (Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee).
- Gold production in Tennessee were mostly from placer in Monroe county and as a byproduct of copper mining in Polk county.
- More than 200 historic gold sites in Tennessee are listed by the US geological Survey, this includes the Boyd mine, the Burra Burra mine and the Calloway mine.
Key Takeaways:
| Fact | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Remember | Production of only 790 tonnes of gold, mining until the 1970s |
| Gold Deposits | Yes |
| Discovery Year | 1827 |
| Discoverer | Not recorded |
| Mining Industry | Not active |
| Last Gold Mine | The last gold mines where closed in the 1970s |
| Panning Locations | Coker creek in Monroe county, Little river in the Smokey Mountains, Duck river |
Check out the video about Tennessee’s mining history:
Where is Gold in Tennessee?
All of Tennessee’s gold came from the southeast, form Monroe country, where the precious metal was recovered from placer deposits. Also, in Polk Country, gold was mined as a byproduct from copper mining.
Source: USGS
What is the History of Gold Mining in Tennessee?
Gold mining in Tennessee has a rich history that dates back to the 1827, when the first gold was discovered in this state.
Who discovered gold in Tennessee?
- The discovery of gold in Tennessee is attributed to early settlers and explorers who found gold in streams and rivers in the southeastern part of the state.
- The first recorded gold find was in 1827.
- Specific names of the initial discoverers are not well-documented, but local Native American tribes were likely aware of the gold deposits before European settlers arrived.
When was the gold rush in Tennessee?
- The Tennessee gold rush is not as famous or extensive as those in California or Alaska, but significant interest in gold mining occurred around 1831.
- The rush primarily took place in the southeastern counties, such as Monroe and Polk, where gold deposits were more prevalent.
- In the beginning of the 1830s there were several hundred people (including slaves) digging for gold in the state.
What was the nature of gold mining in Tennessee?
Most gold came from placer deposits in Monroe county and as a byproduct of copper mining in Polk county (Ducktown district).
- Gold mining in Tennessee was predominantly placer mining, which involves extracting gold from stream bed deposits.
- Placer mining started right after the discovery in Monroe country, in 1827.
- Copper mining began in 1847 until they were exhausted in 1879. New extraction techniques led to the reopening of the copper mines from 1890s on.
- Miners used simple tools like pans and sluice boxes to separate gold from river silt and sands.
- Unlike the large-scale, industrial gold mining operations seen in other regions, Tennessee’s gold mining was largely carried out by individual prospectors and small groups
What were famous gold mines in Tennessee?
- Coker Creek: The most well-known gold mining area in Tennessee, located in Monroe County. It became synonymous with gold in the state and remains a popular spot for recreational prospecting.
- Tellico Plains: Another significant area for gold prospecting, also located in the southeastern part of the state, known for its picturesque landscapes and gold-bearing rivers.
- While there were numerous placer mining sites throughout southeastern Tennessee, there were no “famous” gold mines in the traditional sense, as the gold mining here did not involve extensive underground operations.
When did gold mining end in Tennessee?
The last recorded gold output was in 1978. However, the Bureau of Mines did not disclose how many ounces were mined in that year. In the year before, 12 ounces of gold (0.4kg) were produced.
Source: USGS
How much Gold has been Mined Tennessee?
- The official gold statistic for the state, published by the US Geological Survey, shows that Tennessee produced 25,425 ounces (790 kg) of this precious material in its entire gold mining history.
- The year with the highest gold production was in 1930. Here, 696 ounces (21.6 kg) of gold were produced.
Source: USGS
What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Tennessee?
- Gold production was recorded by the Bureau of Mines until 1978.
- Total production in 1970s, the last decade of gold production, stood at only 591 ounces (18.8kg); 2 years with withheld production numbers; see table below.
In the 1970s production was as follows:
| Year | Troy Ounce | Kg |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 124 | 3.9 |
| 1971 | 192 | 6.0 |
| 1972 | 176 | 5.5 |
| 1973 | 68 | 2.1 |
| 1974 | 18 | 0.6 |
| 1975 | W | – |
| 1976 | W | – |
| 1977 | 13 | 0.4 |
| 1978 | W | – |
| 1979 | – | – |
w = withheld by the Bureau of Mines.
How many Gold Reserves are in Tennessee?
There is no estimate about the gold reserves in Tennessee.
What Companies Mine Gold in Tennessee?
There are currently no active commercial gold mines in Tennessee. Current gold mining activities in Tennessee are amateur and hobby prospecting, primarily consisting of individual or small-scale placer operations.
Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Tennessee?
There are no gold projects in Tennessee.
Is it Legal to Mine Gold in Tennessee?
Yes, it is legal to mine gold in Tennessee for recreational purposes under certain conditions and restrictions
- The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issues permits for recreational prospecting for gold or other precious and semi-precious ores, metals, and minerals in the waters of Tennessee.
- These permits cover various methods of prospecting, but they do not include land-based prospecting or commercial operations.
- Recreational gold panning is allowed within the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, but it is essential to obtain the necessary permits from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for recreational prospecting activities
Source: forest service
Where Can I Pan for Gold in Tennessee?
Check out a video about gold prospecting in Tennessee:
There are several notable locations for gold prospecting in Tennessee, such as:
- Coker Creek (see here Doc Rogers Field) and Tellico Plains in the southeastern part of the state
- Cherokee National Forest, with permits
- many creeks in Monroe, Blount, and Polk Counties
Source: rare gold nuggets
Is There Gold in Other US States?
Check out gold production in neighboring states of Tennessee: Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri.
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.