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DMC Field Trip Sharing Program FIELD TRIP FOR June 2003  |
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8:00 am -12:00, Saturday, June 21, 2003 Vulcan Materials Company’s Morganton Quarry Morganton, Burke County, NC  Children: Over 12 years old can attend if supervised closely by parent or guardian. Must wear appropriate safety gear. No Pets Contact numbers: Contact Jim Stroud, if you have any questions concerning the fieldtrip. TRIP: Vulcan Materials Company’s Morganton Quarry COLLECTING: This quarry has several rock types, which include augen gneiss, chlorite biotite gneiss, amphibolite, and pegmatite. The following collectable minerals have been found at this location: garnet, golden beryl, black tourmaline, apatite, sphene, feldspar, biotite and muscovite books, and siderite. The majority of these minerals are found in the pegmatite zones. Garnets are almandine variety and have been found up to silver dollar size. However, the majority of them are 1/8” to 1/4” in diameter imbedded in the pegmatite. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: This is an operating mine. All persons attending the fieldtrip will be required to sign a hold harmless agreement, take 15 minute hazardous training, and wear the required safety gear at all times. This includes a hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots. We will meet at the quarry office at 8 a.m., sign releases, receive instructions on boundaries and safety, and be lead into the collecting area. We must leave the quarry by 12 noon! In addition, all persons are asked to stay away from the quarry walls. There is plenty of material loose on the quarry floor. VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED INSIDE THE QUARRY ON THIS TRIP and parked until leaving. BRING: Hard hat, safety glasses, rock hammer, and something to carry and wrap samples. DIRECTIONS AND WHERE TO
MEET:
Drive Time: This is approximately a 1-½ hour drive from Winston-Salem, NC. Report on
the DMC trip to the Vulcan Materials Company’s Morganton Quarry
Sixty-six people attended from as far away as Florida. Clubs were there from FL., GA., TN., VA., S.C., and N.C. The quarry wasn't running, so we had the pit to ourselves. It was a beautiful day in the low 80's and the key there was no rain. It was the first Saturday in a long time with such weather. Some people didn't have much luck finding nice mineral samples, but enjoyed the exercise and walking around the quarry on a pretty day. Others found exceptional samples of tourmaline, garnet, apatite, and siderite. One supposed small aquamarine beryl crystal was found early in the day. Of course the best material was found just before we had to leave. It was in a pegmatite zone that contained beautiful garnets, a couple were dime to nickel size and appeared to be faceting quality, In addition, black tourmaline was found in this zone, some up to five or six inches long and 1/2" in diameter. All in all, every had a great time. This person enjoyed meeting numerous people from other cubs and looks forward to the next Dixie trip. Jim Stroud
"Field Trips are open to all members of associated clubs of the DMC program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee and to all members of SFMS member clubs who have provided their membership with SFMS liability insurance. Because of insurance requirements, members of the GENERAL PUBLIC are NOT invited on this or any DMC program field trips!" |