Michigan is a major producer of cement, construction sand and gravel, iron ore, peat, and potash. It produces common clay, crushed and dimension stone, gypsum, industrial sand and gravel, lime, gemstones, and salt.
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What precious metals are found in Michigan?
For centuries, gold, silver, copper and diamonds have been found here. Records available at the US Forest Service in Cadillac indicate that gold has been found in over 100 places in Michigan. Gold has been discovered in 27 of 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula and 6 of 15 counties in the UP.
Do they still mine copper in Michigan?
The principal ore mineral was chalcocite, although native copper predominated in the lower part of the beds. The mine was very successful, producing more than 1.8 million metric tons (4.0 billion pounds) of copper during its life. The White Pine mine, the last major copper mine in Michigan, shut down in 1995.
Are there any active mines in Michigan?
Today, two iron mines remain active in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—the Tilden Mine and the Empire Mine, both in the Marquette Range. Industrial copper mining began in the 1860s. During the earlier years of the copper mining era, Michigan produced up to 90 percent of the nation’s copper.
Is silver found in Michigan?
Native silver occurs in a variety of vein and lode deposits of hydrothermal origin. In Michigan, it is found in the Keweenaw’s native copper deposits and in certain hydrothermal gold-quartz and lead- zinc veins in Marquette County.The history of Michigan silver has been reviewed by Olson (1986).
Are diamonds found in Michigan?
Jack Van Alstine, geologist at the Michigan State Department of Natural Resources at Marquette, said diamonds have been found in northern Michigan and Wisconsin within the last 100+ years.Diamonds found in Wisconsin are said to have come down from glaciers through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
What is Michigan’s state gemstone?
chlorastrolite
The State Gemstone is chlorastrolite, a variety of the mineral pumpellyite. It also goes by the common name of greenstone or Isle Royal greenstone. The term greenstone can be confusing in that it is both a rock and a mineral term.
Why did mining stop in Michigan?
The zinc, copper and gold-rich mine is the first gold mine in Michigan since the 1990s. Ropes, the state’s last gold mine, collapsed in 1989. Although the mining resumed in 1991, failing gold prices prompted its closure after more than a century of operations.
Are there any gold mines in Michigan?
Gold can be found throughout Michigan.The Ropes Gold and Silver Company Mine is west by northwest from Ishpeming in Marquette County by three to five miles on the north side of the Marquette Iron Range, and located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is a very noteworthy gold location.
How many mines are in Michigan?
Michigan has 1,853 identified mines listed in The Diggings™. The most commonly listed primary commodities in Michigan mines are Iron , Copper , and Silver .
Where can I dig for gems in Michigan?
Chlorastrolite, or the Isle Royale greenstone, is the state’s official gemstone since 1973.
| Gemstones | Locations |
|---|---|
| Chlorastrolite | Great Lakes beaches and Isle Royal National Park |
| Agates | Lake Superior shoreline: Grand Marais beach, Muskallonge State Park beach, Woodland Park beach |
Is there gold in Michigan Upper Peninsula?
Both the upper and lower peninsula have produced fine gold throughout the rivers and creeks. One noteworthy area is the Ropes Gold Mine north of Ishpeming in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.In addition to the Ropes Gold Mine, reports of placer deposits occur throughout several creeks and streams in the area.
What do they mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?
Eagle Mine is an underground, high-grade nickel and copper mine located in western Marquette County of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.The mine is expected to produce 365 million pounds of nickel, and 295 million pounds of copper, and trace amounts of other minerals over its estimated mine life (2014 – 2025).
Where can you find amethyst in Michigan?
Amethyst is recovered from veins in granite and other rocks around Thunder Bay, Ontario, and to a lesser extent from Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.
Are there emeralds in Michigan?
There are emeralds in Michigan. Even though the colors of these emeralds are usually light they can still come in dark green to dark blue green. Theses emeralds are found in an old iron mine in Marquette County.
Is kyanite found in Michigan?
A common metamorphic mineral found primarily in regionally metamorphosed intermediate-grade rocks derived from shales. It is less common in some veins and pegmatites. Kyanite is very rare in Michigan. It sometimes occurs as a detrital accessory mineral in glacial sands.
Is there any lost treasure in Michigan?
There are several possible lost treasures.One of the best known Michigan treasure legends got the History Channel treatment in the ‘Curse of Civil War Gold. ‘ That legend says gold is lost somewhere in Lake Michigan between Allegan and Muskegon.
Do they still mine salt in Detroit?
In 1997, the Detroit Salt Company, LLC, purchased the mine from Crystal Mines, Inc. and began salt production in the fall of 1998. Although the leather and food industries were once large customers to the Detroit mine, road deicing salt is the only product the mine currently provides.
Where can I find garnets in Michigan?
Garnet may be found in the Michigamme area at the Mount Shasta mine. Should you return from the Upper Peninsula by way of the Southern Route (U.S. 2) attractive mineral specimens can be obtained in the marble quarries at Randville and Felch in Dickinson County (Lodging).
What is Michigan’s state fish?
Brook troutMichigan lawmakers chose the trout as the official State Fish in 1965, but it was not clear which of the four species found in Michigan the brook trout, the brown trout, the rainbow trout, and the lake trout was the State Fish. A law passed in 1988 made the Brook Trout the official State Fish.
What is Michigan State Fruit?
Tart Cherries
State Fruit: Tart Cherries (Unofficial)
Michigan is the nation’s leading producer of the fruit, accounting for 75 percent of the country’s supply. The majority are grown in the northwest counties of the state. The area is so well known for its cherries that Traverse City hosts an annual National Cherry Festival.
