Burke County North Carolina

The South Mountain Belt is one of the most productive gold mining areas of North Carolina. The gold bearing region contains about 300 square miles of land, and panning for gold can be successful in practically all of the streams of this area.

MINES

Brindleton Placer Mine - is located 13 miles southwest of Morganton in the South Mountain region. It was worked as early as 1828, and by 1916, this property had produced an estimated 50,000 ounces in gold.

Brown Mountain Mine - has gold in quartz and was very productive.

Gaithers Mine - is located 12 miles south of Morganton, it contained gold in veins and placers.

Hercules Mine - is located 12 miles north of Morganton and was a lode gold producer.

Hokes Mine - contains gold and platinum in placers.

London's Mine - was a lode gold producer.

Mills Placer Mine - is the same as Brindleton Placer Mine.

Tates Mine - contains gold in placers.

SUGGESTED PROSPECTING AREAS

Baileys Creek - is located 6 miles southwest of Morganton on the road to Rutherfordton and has placer gold.

Brindleton Creek - contained numerous lode mines and prospects in creek banks.

First Broad River - on upper part of the First Broad River, placers unsuccessfully worked, 1953-1954, but may prove profitable to dredge.

Hall Creek - gravels of creek yields placer gold.

Kingy Branch - may yield placer gold.

Silver Creek - gravels of creek yields placer gold.

Upper Creek - may prove productive to a panner.