Federal Documents for Great Outdoors Month

South Carolina’s diverse terrain is home to a wide array of natural resources—from gold and topaz to cassiterite and crystalline rock formations.

This month, we highlight a curated collection of federal reports and geological studies that explore the state's mineral wealth, the science behind it, and its impact on industry and environment. These documents not only serve as valuable research tools but also underscore the importance of preserving and understanding the natural elements that make South Carolina unique.

Ever heard of cassiterite? How about alluvial magnetite? Now’s your chance to explore how scientists track down these minerals across streams, valleys, and rock belts. You can even peek into a vintage report showing a 4.2% increase in the value of our state’s nonfuel minerals—now that’s some economic sparkle! Whether you're a researcher or just naturally curious, these documents are a great way to celebrate our state's outdoor bounty. Check them out through the South Carolina State Library’s catalog and take your brain on a geological adventure!

Throughout June, we invite you to explore these fascinating titles—ranging from mineral maps and gemstone guides to historical mining studies—each offering insight into South Carolina’s rich geological story.

Federal Documents

Mineral resources of the Charlotte 1° x 2° quadrangle, North Carolina and South Carolina

United States Department of the Interior

This report is the product of a 4-year project of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Conterminous United States Mineral Assessment Program (CUSMAP) to assess mineral resources of the Charlotte 1° x 2° quadrangle, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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The crystalline rocks of South Carolina

Overstreet, William C.

A provisional geologic map of the western half of South Carolina showing the crystalline rocks and the edge of the overlapping sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain was prepared in 1960 at a scale of 1:250,000 and published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1965 as Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map I-413. The present report is a description of the crystalline rocks depicted on that map.

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Cover of The mineral industry of South Carolina.

Preprint from the Bureau of Mines Minerals yearbook. The mineral industry of South Carolina.

United States Department of the Interior

Provides data on South Carolina's nonfuel mineral production in 1973, compiled through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the South Carolina Division of Geology. Highlights increases in production and value of minerals such as clays, mica, peat, sand and gravel, and stone.

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Cover of Geochemical reconnaissance using heavy minerals from small streams in central South Carolina: areas favorable for prospecting the Carolina slate belt evaluated by Spectrographic analyses and cluster analyses

Geochemical reconnaissance using heavy minerals from small streams in central South Carolina: areas favorable for prospecting the Carolina slate belt evaluated by Spectrographic analyses and cluster analyses

Bell, Henry

Geochemical reconnaissance using heavy-mineral concentrates panned from coarse alluvium has been carried out in the Cedar Creek-Blythewood area, South Carolina. This area in the central Piedmont is underlain by deeply weathered volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks of the Carolina slate belt which are metamorphosed to a low grade.

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Topaz deposits near the Brewer mine, Chesterfield County, South Carolina

Fries, Carl

Lode and placer deposits of massive topaz rock were discovered near the old Brewer gold mine in northwestern Chesterfield County, S.C., in 1935. Preliminary tests have shown that this rock ca be used in the manufacture of refractory ware and as a source of mullite, thus augmenting supplies of kyanite that have been coming from India. About 700 tons of topaz rock had been mined up to August 1941, largely for experimental uses.

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Gold occurrences near Jefferson, South Carolina

Minard, James P.

A discussion of gold occurrences, sample analyses, and possible economic, potential of Coastal Plain sediments and buried Piedmont rocks. United States Department of the Interior, Geological Survey.

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Cassiterite occurrences in the Shelby area, North and South Carolina

D'Agostino, John P.

Coarse-grained cassiterite was identified and an abundant amount panned in Hawkins Branch, 10 km southwest of Shelby, N.C., in September 1978. Since then, coarse-grained cassiterite has been found in appreciable quantities in alluvium at 37 stream sites in an open-ended zone about 35 km long by 30 km wide southwest of Shelby. Most of the zone is between Shelby and Forest City, N.C., and extends southward to the vicinity of Cowpens, S.C. Many of the cassiterite sites are streams in the vicinity of Hawkins Branch where much prospecting was done.

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