Thermal City Gold Mine, Union Mills, NC

Saturday, June 28, 2008, 9:00 a.m.

An Official Field Trip of The Augusta Gem & Mineral Society and The Forsyth Gem and mineral Club.
COLLECTING: Thermal City Gold Mine consists of a one-half mile section of the Second Broad River and about 30 acres of Placer Gravel Deposits having one of the seven veins from the mountain supplying it. Panning material is brought from the river by backhoe for you to pan. The gravel is not “enhanced or enriched”. The gold found here is in it’s natural state- right where nature deposited it. Gold is found as nuggets- small nuggets. Ample shade, parking and instruction in panning are always available when needed.

 FEE AREA: $5 to pan all day,$30 for front-end load

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Camping facilities with full hookups to primitive are available on a first come basis. Call  828-286-3016 for rates. No drugs, alcohol, or firearms are allowed. The grounds are almost level and a short distance from panning to camping and restrooms.

Children: Welcome with Adult Supervision; Pets allowed on leash

Shovels and pans are furnished or you can bring your own. Other equipment is for rent/purchase.

DIRECTIONS AND WHERE TO MEET:

Where we will meet: At the mine.  9 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Northern edge of Thermal City, NC. The mine is located on the right side of Rt. 221 about 12 miles north of Rutherfordton near the Rutherford/McDowell county line.  

CONTACT NUMBERS: phone: 828-286-3016, e-mail: info@thermalcitygoldmine.com  Website: http://www.thermalcitygoldmine.com/ 

TRIP: This is an unsalted site and we have had success finding gold here. The mine’s aim is to provide an authentic experience. This mine is located on the actual site of the earliest placers of Rutherford County. It opened in 1830 and has produced gold ever since then. 

"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 liability insurance. Because of insurance requirements, members of the GENERAL PUBLIC are NOT invited on this or any DMC program field trips!"