DMC Field Trip, October 2007

The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc
The Friendly Federation - Founded in 1976 to serve.

DMC Program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee

An Official Field Trip of The Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society (Charleston, SC)(HOST)

October 20, 2007

Lafarge Cement Quarry

Harleyville/Holly Hill area, South Carolina

WHAT: Fossil Collecting Trip
WHERE: Lafarge Cement Quarry in the Harleyville/Holly Hill area, South Carolina
WHEN: October 20, 2007

COLLECTING HOURS: Participants should start arriving at 7:00 A.M. to check-in, sign a release form, and receive a safety briefing. The dig will be from 7:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. There is no fee for this dig. If children come to the dig, they MUST be in CLOSE proximity to their parent(s) at all times. The mine representative stated no young children are permitted in the mine (he did not elaborate on how young). All young people under 18 must be with an adult/parent at all times. This is a working mine. Nothing was said about pets; but experience tells me to advise against bringing them.

This mine is primarily noted for its Eocene marine fossils including scallops, oysters, brachiopods, echinoids, shark teeth, ray teeth, etc.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Because this is a working mine, safety is most important. Hard hats and safety glasses are required and will be supplied by the Lafarge mine. It is also recommended that you wear safety shoes (sturdy shoes), gloves, and appropriate outer clothing. Everyone must sign a release form prior to going into the mine. We will meet at our Lafarge Cement Quarry hosts "work trailer" to sign release forms and get a safety briefing before entering the mine.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring something to collect into, picks, hammers, small shovels, a bag lunch, and plenty of drinking water. If the weather is nice, we may be able to drive into the mine, otherwise we walk (approximately a quarter mile or more). Also, bring a lunch since there are no restaurants close by.

TRIP CONDITIONS: We will be limited to the first 40 for this field trip and there will possibly be other organizations collecting with us bringing the total to around 100 or more. Lafarge only opens up the mine to collectors once per quarter. Because of this condition, club Field Trip Chairman Mark Easterbrook will be the point of contact for both the mine and the DMC participants. Mark's email address and phone are as follows:

LODGING: For nearby lodging information, please check www.metrotravelguide.com/hotels/saint_george/sc/usa for a listing of nearby motels. If you do not have access to the internet, please let me know and I can provide you a motel listing and contact information.

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!"

DMC Program / SFMS Field Trip committee's purpose:
To collect field trip information from it's member societies; schedule and coordinate field trip dates; disseminate field trip information to all member clubs so that each member society may publish this information as one of their "official" scheduled field trips.