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Dyer Mica Mine Union County, GA November 2023 |
All Text & Images: Copyright (2023) |
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Dyer Mica Mine Union County, GA November 2023 |
All Text & Images: Copyright (2023) |
| Mica was first mined here in 1890, and after running the first drift into the vein, more mica was removed in 1900-02, 1908 and 1914-15 by several individuals. Additional operations took place in 1918, cleaning out and extending the old drifts. In the 1930s, a shaft was dug, intersecting the old workings. In 1942, the old works were still accessible, although some cross-cuts and older drifts were caved in. Based on the old Geologic Surveys, I had hopes of finding evidence of some tunnels or shafts. The land-owners were real nice about letting me go back and explore, but unfortunately, the site was a bit of a letdown. The works are totally collapsed and caved in, and it is difficult to even reconcile the historical mine layout and photos with what can currently be seen. |
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| The original mine cut is now the entry-way to the major mining area. It is flanked on either side by huge mining waste piles. |
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| Looking toward the main mining area (in the rear). Viewed from the top of a huge mine waste pile (at right foreground; another is on the left). The entry cut in the previous image is seen entering from lower left corner. |
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| Further in, another section of the main mine works. |
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| Looking up at one end of the main mine cut from the bottom. |
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| Looking back towards the entry cut, from the rim of the opposite side of the main mine cut. This image doesn't adequately show the breadth and depth of the large hole before me. |
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| View of main cut, looking to the right, from the same viewpoint... |
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| View to the left of the cut, from same viewpoint... |
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| Looking across another section of the main mine cut with a steep drop immediately in front of me... |
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| This "hill" is one of the large mining waste piles. |
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| Another huge mine waste pile, with some large trees (including a big beech) growing on the side. |
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| Log cabin and shed on the property. This was the former site of the W. E. Dyer homestead. |
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| 1933 photo of the Dyer Mica Mine along with a layout of the mine workings in 1942. |