Gold in Smoky Mountains?

[Flipperfla]

On our trips into the Smoky Mountains we continuously see large rock outcroppings with stripes of quarts veins running thru them. I was reading the history of the Fontana Copper Mine, besides sitting on one of the largest copper deposits on the East Coast. Apparently gold was also mined and kept under wraps by the company. Looking for opinions a techniques. Thanks!

 

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[smokeythecat]

In the Park itself, forget it, it's against the law. Down near Franklin, NC there is gold in the creeks and a lot of other places in NC.

 

[Flipperfla]

I know the Park would be off limits, what about the National Forests to the south of Lake Fontana? Thanks!

 

[Clay Diggins]

The vast majority of the lands managed by the Forest Service in the Smoky mountains have privately owned mineral rights only. This is true of all the eastern National Forests. Attempting to prospect for gold on private lands even though they are in the administrative boundaries of a National Forest is a violation of law.

Look over this map of National Forest ownership and you will see that most of the eastern National Forests are not owned by the government but are in fact private lands. The same map shows mineral ownership on those lands that have been purchased from the private owners for inclusion in the forest.

A close inspection may show areas where the surface and minerals are within the jurisdiction of the Forest Service. In those limited areas it's up to the Forest Supervisor whether you can prospect for gold. To my knowledge only a small area of the Uwharrie Forest in North Carolina is open to gold prospecting. You could call around and ask if other Forests permit prospecting.

Heavy Pans

 

[metrotec]

Chilhowee Mts..over to Tellico Plains is open. Just go by the Park Rangers office up past Coker Creek off Tellico River, get a permit and a map

 

[deserdog]

There is gold in the Little Pigeon river in Gatlinburg and in Pigeon Forge. Also gold in the Little river in Townsend. Not from reading about it, but from me panning and sluicing.

 

[Flipperfla]

Thanks! Been thru there before on the parkway. That will be perfect when we come in or leave Fontana.

 

[Flipperfla]

Thanks for the info, looks like the Wife is going to get her pan!