Geology Of The Deep River Coal Field North Carolina

 The region along Deep River in central North Carolina once boasted a small but significant coal mining industry that from the early 1800s to the end of the 20th century provided fuel for manufacturing and domestic use. Confronted by natural obstacles and other challenges—including a devastating explosion in 1925 that killed 53 men and boys—entrepreneurs made numerous attempts (some successful, some not) to harness the power of coal in a state still defining itself in a modernizing nation. Iron forges and hearths required ample supplies of coal to meet local demand, and the Deep River deposits provided them when no others existed.

This report covers a broad range of geological features of central North Carolina, but focuses on a few major resources of these midland counties, especially sources of water power, metal deposits and coal. Special attention is paid to the Deep River coalfield, said to contain large, high-quality coal deposits, and the Lead Hill or Washington mine which yields zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold.