Frequently asked questions

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions on diverse topics. It includes links to general questions from the state's rock and mineral, gemstone groups, mineral production, permits, professional licensing and other information. While some of the questions are answered directly on this page, many links point to other locations on our Internet site, or elsewhere for additional information.

Table of contents

1. How do I apply for NC Geological Survey graduate student grants?
2. Where can I find out about summer intern positions?
3. Whom do I contact to become a registered geologist in NC?
4. How do I get rocks and minerals identified?
5. What is the 'state rock'?
6. What is the 'state mineral'?
7. What is the 'state fossil'?
8. Gem mines, mineral museums, and NC mineral clubs
9. What is the highest point (elevation) in North Carolina?
10. What minerals are produced in North Carolina?
11. Where can I find information about mineral production from North Carolina?
12. Whom do I contact about getting a mining permit?
13. Whom do I contact about getting an oil or gas drilling permit?
14. How can I purchase topographic maps and geological publications?
15. Whom do I contact about digital map information or aerial photographs?
16. Where can I obtain publications of the North Carolina Geological Survey?
17. Where can I find information about the geology and minerals of other states?
18. Where can I obtain remote sensing information?
19. Where can I obtain 'background' geochemical information?
20. Where can I obtain county or state highway maps?
21. Where can I get information about earth science educational materials?
22. How many square miles are there in each county in North Carolina?
23. Talc and soapstone in North Carolina

How do I apply for North Carolina Geological Survey graduate student grants?

Because of budget cutbacks in August 2002, no further funds are available to support student grants. Previously, a nominal amount of student grant funding was available to help geology graduate students offset a portion of their thesis or dissertation research costs associated with the completion of a thesis or dissertation. Many of these completed theses and dissertations are held in the working libraries of the North Carolina Geological Survey offices (Archdale and Coastal Plain offices [Raleigh], and the Swannanoa office [Asheville area]). Click here for North Carolina office locations.

Where can I find out about summer intern positions?

The North Carolina State Government Internship Program provides a unique combination of learning, working, theory and practice. The program enables college students to assert initiative and creativity through hands-on involvement and problem solving.

About one hundred paid internships throughout the state (depending on budget levels) are available for 10 weeks each summer for undergraduates, graduate students and those in professional schools. Unpaid fall and spring internships are available for students interested in obtaining academic credit.

Applicants must be North Carolina residents attending a college, university or technical institute or community college in or outside the state to qualify for the program. Students and projects are screened and selected by the North Carolina Internship Council.

Interested students should contact their academic advisor, career placement or cooperative education office or the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office (YAIO).

Example Annual Calendar 

(1997 example check with the YAIO office as listed below for the most current information)

• January 24, 1997 (postmarked) - Application Deadline
• February 7-8, 1997- Council Screens Applications
• March 3-14, 1997- Council Interviews
• April 1-8, 1997 - Supervisor Interviews
• April 18, 1997 - Notification of Final Acceptance
• June 2, 1997 - Orientation
• June 2 - August 8, 1997 - Internship Program

Further information about the Intern program

For further information about the intern program contact: Ms. Jen Wichman, NC Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office, 217 W. Jones Street, Suite 218, Raleigh, NC 27603-1336. The telephone number is 919.733.9296.

Further information about the intern program, eligibility requirements, application and selection process, payroll policies, housing, summer intern pay schedule, and other internship opportunities in state government are on the Internet at: http://www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/yaio/yaio.htm

Whom do I contact to become a registered geologist in North Carolina?

Contact the North Carolina Board for the Licensing of Geologists. Click this link "NC BOARD FOR THE LICENSING OF GEOLOGISTS."

How do I get rocks and minerals identified by North Carolina Geological Survey?

The North Carolina Geological Survey staff will identify rock and mineral samples sent to its offices without charge. Samples should be securely packaged with a brief cover note, including the location from which the rock or mineral sample was collected, requesting this service. The NCGS does not provide assays or chemical analyses; however, the NCGS will provide a list of companies providing this service. You should provide your complete name, address, and telephone number to facilitate a response.

Click here for "OFFICE DIRECTORY, STAFFING AND RESPONSIBILITIES."

What is the 'state rock'?

The General Assembly of 1979 designated granite as the official State rock. North Carolina is blessed with an abundance of granite. When granite is crushed, it is used as an aggregate for road and building construction. If granite has the right physical properties, it can be cut into blocks and used for monuments, curb stone and stone for building facings. The largest open face granite quarry in the world is located at Mount Airy, North Carolina.

What is the 'state mineral'?

The General Assembly of 1973 designated the emerald as the official State precious stone. Emerald is found in North Carolina near Hiddenite in Alexander County and southwest of Spruce Pine in Mitchell County. The largest single emerald crystal found in North America was found at the Rist Mine at Hiddenite in 1969. This crystal weighed 1,438 carats. The Carolina Emerald, a 13.14 carat, emerald-cut gem, was also found at the Rist Mine.

What is the state fossil?

Unfortunately, there is no designated State fossil.

What minerals are produced in North Carolina?

North Carolina has important deposits of many minerals and annually leads the nation in the production of feldspar, lithium minerals, scrap mica, olivine and pyrophyllite. The state ranks first in phosphate rock production and ranks in the top five in clay and crushed granite production. North Carolina does not produce significant quantities of metallic minerals. There is no coal, or oil and gas production, nor coal-bed methane production.

Click here for additional information about minerals produced in North Carolina and the locations in that state where these minerals are produced. Some of these files require Adobe Acrobat. The following section provides recent mineral production information.

Where can I find information about mineral production from North Carolina?

Information about North Carolina's mineral production can be obtained from the annual state mineral chapter (.pdf format) published by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the North Carolina Geological Survey. Past production history for a number of years is also available in .pdf formt. A list of active and inactive permitted mines (MS Excel and tab delimited ASCII format) in North Carolina contains addresses and contact information.  

Mr. Arnold Tanner is the U.S. Geological Survey contact for additional information. His telephone number is 703.648.4758; the facsimile number is 703.648.4934. His e-mail address is: atanner@usgs.gov. The URL is http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/state/

Additional information is available from MINES FaxBack at 703.648.4999. This facsimile service requires a touch-tone handset on a facsimile machine. Available data include domestic and international commodity information.

Whom do I contact about getting a mining permit?

In order to comply with the Mining Act of 1971 (Act), interested parties should contact the State Mining Specialist, Land Quality Section of the Division of Land Resources. The address is State Mining Specialist, Division of Land Resources, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612. The telephone number is 919.733.4574.

The Act covers all persons or firms involved in any activity or process that:

• results in the breaking of the surface soil in order to remove minerals or removal of minerals, soils and other solid matter from its original location; or,
• involves preparation, washing, cleaning or other treatment of minerals or other solid matter to make them suitable for commercial, industrial or construction use. Such operations can range from large stone quarries to borrow pits.

There are specific exemptions from the Act. Further information is available from the Division of Land Resources' State Mining Specialist.

Whom do I contact about getting an oil or gas drilling permit?

Initial contact should be made to the North Carolina Geological Survey's Chief Geologist (refer to Home page). Interested parties should request an application package. Further details should be requested from the Geologist-in-Charge of the NC Geological Survey's Coastal Plain Office. The Director of the Division of Land Resources should also be contacted at: 919.733.3833.

Whom do I contact about air photographs?

The North Carolina Geological Survey sells "over-the-counter": digital raster graphics of 7.5-minute topographic maps, and digital orthophoto quarter-quadrangles.

The North Carolina Geological Survey holds several series of aerial photographs which cover almost 40 years; these are useful for environmental site assessment evaluations. Contact the NC Geological Survey's Map and Publication Sales office for further information. A GIS Information page provides additional information on using DRGs and DOQQs.

Digital data such as digital line graphs, etc. should be requested from the Center for Geographic Information and Analysis. Click here for "Aerial photography and searched."

Where can I obtain publications of the North Carolina Geological Survey?

Please see our publication list.

Where can I find information about the geology and minerals of other states?

The Association of American State Geologists (AASG) provides links to other state geological surveys. It has links to federal and professional geological organizations' Internet sites also. 

What is the highest point (elevation) in North Carolina?

Mount Mitchell, at an elevation of 6,684 feet, is the highest peak of eastern North America. Click here  for  a table of highest elevations in each county.

Where can I get information about educational materials?

The North Carolina Geological Survey has a number of publications and maps suitable for earth science education. See our Project Earth site. There are also many Internet sites of interest under Other Servers of Interest at this Internet site.

Where can I get county and state road maps?

These maps can be obtained from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Map Section. Their address is PO Box 25201, Raleigh, NC 25201. Their telephone number is 919.733.7600.

Where can I get 'background' geochemical information?

The North Carolina Geological Survey has a large database of stream sediment and water well geochemical data. Much has been published through Bulletins 93 and 93, and related open-file reports. Please refer to our publication list elsewhere on this Internet site for additional information.

Where can I obtain remote sensing information?

This information can be obtained from the EROS data center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. You can link to that Internet site through our "Other Servers of Interest."

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How many square miles are there in each North Carolina county?

Note: Areas are measured in square miles. Data provided courtesy of the NC Center for Geographic Information and Analysis from the 1990 Tiger Census data.

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Gem mines, mineral museums, and NC mineral clubs

GEM MINES IN NORTH CAROLINA
(June 2001)                                                      Compiled by Sigrid Ballew

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Macon County has several corundum deposits that were initially worked for abrasives with gemstones as the byproduct. The mines closed after the turn of the century, when artificial abrasives replaced corundum. However, because of a rising interest in mineral collecting, eventually the deposits were re-examined as a source for ruby, sapphire and garnet. Today, the Cowee area abounds with mines where the rockhound may search for corundum and other minerals.

Mitchell County is known for its emerald, aquamarine and golden beryl deposits. In Alexander County the collector may find emerald, and hiddenite, a rare form of spodumene.

All mines are open during the summer daylight hours. Some may remain open year-round, or as weather permits. Admission fees range from $6.00 to $10.00 for adults. Some mines charge by the bucket. Because hours, rates, and open days vary, it is best to contact the mines in advance.

Below is a list of gem mines, mineral museums, and North Carolina Mineral Club contacts.
(NOTE:  This list is intended as a guide only. It is not an endorsement by the North Carolina Geological Survey.)

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North Carolina Gem Mines

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:
Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, 828.524.3161 or 800.336.RUBY (7829)
Highlands Chamber of Commerce, 828.526.2112
Spruce Pine (Mitchell County) Chamber of Commerce, 800.227.3912

• Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC, 828.254.7162. Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. June through October also open on Sundays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.50 for senior citizens, and $2.00 for children age 4 and up. Offers curriculum-matched program to school groups.

• Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum, 2 West Main Street, Franklin, NC, 828.369.7831. Open May 1 to October 31, Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Sunday 1:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free. Offers special education programs and classes. (Among its attractions, the museum features a fluorescent room.)

• Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County, Inc., corner of Fourth and 400 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC, 828.698.1977. Open 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. (Weekdays open to school groups from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, by appointment.) Saturdays open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free.

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SOAPSTONE

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From time to time the North Carolina Geological Survey receives inquiries about talc and soapstone. Most of these inquires are from individuals who seek this type of material for carving.   Currently there are no quarries producing talc and/or soapstone in North Carolina.

Talc is a very soft, greasy feeling, light-colored magnesium silicate mineral.  A dark-gray, greenish-gray, talc-bearing rock that is soft enough to be readily cut with a knife is called “soapstone.”  Soapstone received its name from the fact that it feels like soap.    This rock is rarely all talc and usually contains additional, varying proportions of chlorite, mica, and tremolite.   The terms talc and soapstone are commonly used interchangeably.

Hundreds of soapstone deposits are scattered throughout the Mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina.  The two largest areas of most recent production are Cherokee and Madison Counties.   The white-colored soapstone deposits of Cherokee County are metamorphosed siliceous magnesium carbonate rock and occur in the Zman map unit of the 1985 Geologic Map of North Carolina.   Most of the other green- to gray-colored soapstones are metamorphosed mafic to ultramafic rock and occur  in many other map units of the 1985 Geologic Map of North Carolina, including PzZu, Ymg, Ybam, Ybgg, Ygg, Zata, Zman, CZam, and CZab.

Since most soapstone occurrences are on private property, permission to collect must be obtained from the property owner.

FURTHER READING

Bentzen, E. H., III, 1975, Laboratory notes on potential western North Carolina soapstone resources:   North Carolina Minerals Research Laboratory, Laboratory Notes Number 1, 105 p. (This report is available at nominal charge from the N.C. Minerals Research Laboratory, 180 Coxe Ave., Asheville, N.C. 28801  USA, telephone 828.251.6155; facsimile 828.251.6381.

Rankin, H. S., 1938, Report of geologic investigation of Carolina Talc Company mine:  TVA, 8 p. (This report is available at nominal charge from the N.C. Geological Survey, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612 USA, telephone 919.717.9718.)

Van Horn, E. C., 1948, Talc deposits of the Murphy Marble belt:   North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, Division of Mineral Resources Bulletin 56, 54 p. (This report is available at nominal charge from the N.C. Geological Survey, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612 USA, telephone 919.717.9718.)

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For additional information contact Dr. Jeff Reid, P.G., 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1612. His telephone number is 919.733.4574 x403. E-mail Jeff.Reid@ncmail.net.