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2019 Mine Tours

Additional Information

The popular tours to a local mine are one of the highlights of the weekend. Every year these coveted spots go fast so reserve yours early. 


The Quartz Corporation sponsors these tours for only two days during the event each year and are not available any other time of the year.  Participants will visit a local working mine (Pine Mountain) where you can dig for treasure and keep whatever you find that you can carry! Tours leave from the Festival site and last 2 hours.  You will meet at the Festival site at 6:30 pm for check in and safety training and then depart for the mine on our vans at 7 pm. Vans will return at 9 PM. 


Reservations are required and fill up fast! Reserve your spot in advance! Tickets are $25 PP.


Reserve Your Spot!

Purchase your mine tour tickets by clicking below or by calling us 828-765-9033. Tickets are $25 PP.  Kids ages 10 and up are half price. 

Have Questions? Contact Us!

Reserve Your Mine Tour Spots!

Thursday, August 1st Mine Tour

Don't Miss This Popular event held only once a year during the NC Mineral and Gem Festival. Spaces are limited. Take a mine tour to a working mine operated by The Quartz Corporation. Find what you keep! 


$25 PP

Kids under 10 are half price.



Click to Purchase Tickets for thursday tour

Friday, August 2nd Mine Tour

 

Don't Miss This Popular event held only once a year during the NC Mineral and Gem Festival. Spaces are limited. Take a mine tour to a working mine operated by The Quartz Corporation. Find what you keep! 

$25 PP

Kids under 10 are half price.

Click to Purchase Tickets for Friday Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Kids Go On The Tour?

Yes! Kids can go on the Mine Tours. Kids 10 years old and under are half price. 

Is there any safety training?

Yes! The Quartz Corporation meets with our mine tour groups 30 minutes prior to departing for the mine to provide safety training and give out hard hats and safety glasses. 

Do I need special tools?

Some of our mine tour goers have brought small picks and hammers to help break rocks into smaller pieces but you don't have to bring any tools. You can simply walk around the mine and pick up items that you see. 

Do you cancel if it rains?

We do not cancel the mine tour trip if it rains. We recommend bringing a rain jacket or poncho just in case. 

How do we get to the mine?

You will meet at the Festival site at 6:30 PM to check in, receive safety training and equipment before loaded vans that will take you to the mine and return you to your car at the Festival site. The tour ends at approximately 9 pm. 

What will we find?

Your Mine Tour will be at Pine Mountain Mine.  Pine Mountain Mine is one of the largest operating mines in North America. Mining began in the 1950's in the Pine Mt Mine for Feldspar. The primary ore is Pegmatite and Alaskite. The minerals that can be found there in large quantities are Quartz ( Smokey and Pink), Feldspar ( potassium and calcium), Muscovite mica, garnet, and Biotite schist. The mine is currently being mined for Feldspar, Quartz, and Mica and is active and supplies both processing facilities at Minpro and Atltapass in Spruce Pine. 

About Quartz Corporation

About Our Mine Tour Sponsor

 The QUARTZ Corp is a key supplier of High Purity Quartz Sand for the solar, semiconductor, and fibre optic markets. Our quartz is sourced in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, where the unique geology of the landscape offers the world’s highest purity quartz deposits. From there, our products are shipped to Drag, Norway, where our state-of-the-art production facility enables us to produce quartz which is 99.998% SiO2. 

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