The gold mining industry in North Carolina has a rich history that traces back to 1799 when the first documented gold was found near Charlotte. This started a gold fever which spread across nearby counties and eventually the entire southern states. Even though the gold rush dipped after the discovery of gold in California in 1848, North Carolina remains prominent in the industry. It hosts diverse companies in the gold mining sector, each contributing uniquely to the local and national economy. While traditional gold mining companies still operate, innovative players are also moving into the space with sustainable mineral supply chains contributing to a more environmentally friendly future.


Top 23 gold mining companies in North Carolina

1. NC Gold Foundation

  • Website: ncgold.org
  • Headquarters: Marion, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Vendor Applications Available by email. Contact us here The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California In 1799, 12 year-old Conrad Reed made the first documented gold find near Charlotte, in Cabarrus County. Soon thereafter, everyone from farmers to investors began to pan for gold. It didn't take long to create some 300 mines, employing locals and immigrants from South America and Europe. As time passed, North Carolina became the only producer of domestic gold between 1804 and 1828. North Carolina was the highest gold producer in the nation, until 1848 when gold was discovered in California. While there are plenty of stories and tales surrounding this period, the majority of mining activity occurred in the southern area of present day McDowell County, known as Vein Mountain. Some streams and regions employed up to 3,000 workers. Members of McDowell County's ""founding families"" purchased acreage in the region. The McDowell and Carson families were at the forefront of this era, also sending slaves to work their mines. Some slaves became free men after working those stream beds and mines. Successful miners created the Marion Bullion Company and just over the current county line the Bechtler Mint began operating. Evidence of the two are found today at Historic Carson House in Marion and at the Historic Bechtler House in Rutherfordton. During the 1950s, miners graduated from using earlier tools such as pans, sluice boxes and rocker troughs to implementing hydraulic mining methods. When you visit area recreational mines, more than likely the mine was once a busy, ...


2. Salty Dog Gem Mine

Salty Dog Gem Mine is a tourist attraction and adventure park in WagonMaster Ranch Resort, North Carolina, offering gem mining activities, gold panning, and affordable fun for people of all ages. They have different types of gem bags and packages that include rough and tumbled authentic gemstones, fossils, and treasures from mines around the world.


3. Hyperion Metals

Hyperion Metals Limited is developing zero carbon, sustainable critical mineral supply chains in the USA.


4. Carolina Gold Resources

Carolina Gold Resources Inc. is a Canadian precious and base metal exploration company focused on the underexplored southeastern United States. Exploration activities are conducted through CGR's wholly-owned subsidiary, Uwharrie Resources, Inc. CGR operates under the project-generator business model to identify and acquire prospective properties in this historic mining region. Partnerships are sought with established mining companies and investment groups for the exploration and development of CGR-generated projects.


5. Rutherford County Tourism Asset Foundation

Did you know that before the California Gold Rush there was the NC Gold Rush? A couple of America's first Gold Rush facts: The first ever documented gold nugget was discovered at Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County near Charlotte, NC in 1799. The first $1 gold coin was minted by Christopher Bechtler in 1832 in Rutherfordton, NC. North Carolina led the country in gold production until the California Gold Rush in 1848. The North Carolina Gold Trail is a heritage destination trail that spans across the state whose purpose is to educate visitors about the NC Gold Rush and the significance it played in the history of the U.S. This trail is currently under development and counties will be added throughout the year. Check back often for new attractions and to start your trek through the rich history of North Carolina.


6. Duke University, Bass Connections

Bass Connections brings together faculty, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduates and external partners to tackle complex societal challenges in interdisciplinary research teams.


7. Bactrac Technologies, LLC

Bactrac Technologies is an international chemical-metallurgical enterprise that provides a range of engineering, manufacturing, environmental and laboratory testing services to the international mining, refining and inspectorate industries.


8. Cotton Patch Gold Mine

Cotton Patch Gold Mine is a company based out of 41697 Gurley Road, New London, North Carolina, United States.


9. Gem Valley NC

  • Website: gemvalley.net
  • Headquarters: Jefferson, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

The Covid-19 Pandemic has been very hard on all small businesses in the USA. Many in our area have had to permanently close down. We at Gem Valley NC were also hit hard last year. While we have not had to shut down completely, the business and our customers have still been hurt by the impact of the pandemic. This past winter and our recent spring produced a number of health problems with our family, and one of our members who worked with us has passed away. Although we are a family-run business, we will do our best to keep our doors open for our customers. For now, we will be operating on a limited hours plan due to the losses we took this past year. The 2021 Season for Gem Valley will be as follows: The first day of the Season will be Friday, May 28th, 2021 - 10 AM EST to 2 PM EST. The Flumes (for gem mining) will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Gem Shop and Gem Museum will be only on Mondays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Due to staff limitations, we are not able to keep the shop and flumes open at the same time. This is the best compromise we can offer at this time. Although the flumes will be closed on Mondays, we do offer our Buckets to Go and will still offer advice with gem identification. We expect our last open day for the season to be Sunday, October 10th, 2021. We apologize for any inconveniences this will cause for our loyal customers, however this is the only way we can continue to be open for this season. Thank you for your understanding and your support! We love you all and hope to continue to offer advice and support to all our fellow Rock Hounds!


10. the Stanly County Historical Society Incorporated

9am-1pm, the first Saturday of every month. The Museum is closed on or around all major holidays. Main Gallery: A General History of Stanly County. The exhibit starts with the Native Americans and covers Early Education and Home Life, Transportation, Industries, Military Battles, and the last 100 years. Visitors can listen to oral histories from Stanly County World War II veterans, card cotton, learn how to transfer calls on our interactive telephone switchboard and much more. The Stanly County History Center has a new exhibit on display. Brad Perry, who was a 16-year-old student at Albemarle High school in the 1970s, gained national attention when he constructed a mockup of the Apollo Command Module in the basement of his home. When you come to the Stanly County History Center you will be able to look inside Brads Command Module mockup where he spent 11 days, one hour and 51 minutes simulating the Apollo 16 lunar mission. Also, on display are the flight suits he wore, freeze dried food that the astronauts ate during the mission, numerous pictures of the astronauts and of Brad as he simulated the trip to the moon and back. Brad graduated from Georgia Tech, served 6 years flying as a U.S. Air Force pilot, and spent his career working for NASA. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and has over 3,800 hours flying time. The Museum Gallery is self-guided. Guided tours of the Daniel Freeman House and I.W. Snuggs House are usually available daily upon request. Please call ahead to schedule a tour. Admission is FREE. The Stanly County Museum is a public and educational service provided by Stanly County Government.


11. Gold City Amusement

Gold City Gem Mine is a retail tourist location dealing in the sale of precious and semi-precious gems, gold and silver gem jewelry, gem mining, gold panning, and the sale of rocks and minerals. They offer professional cutting, and their indoor flumes are heated in winter.


12. Thermal City Gold Mine & Campground

Thermal City Gold Mine is a recreational facility that offers gem mining and gold panning in North Carolina. They also provide mining supplies, camping and cabin rentals for great family fun.


13. Apex Gold Silver Coin 2

Apex Gold Silver Coin 2 is a fully licensed and bonded coin dealer and shop located in Winston-Salem, NC, offering fair pricing and the largest coin collection in the area. They buy and sell coins, currency, jewelry, watches, and precious metals.


14. The Quartz Corp

The Quartz Corp is a company that engineers rocks to support clean energy and innovative technologies. With a focus on high-purity quartz products, they serve industries such as solar energy, optical fiber, and lighting.


15. The Iraq Action Coalition

  • Website: iraqaction.org
  • Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

The Iraq Action Coalition is an online media and activists' resource center for groups and activists who are working to end the war against the people of Iraq. If you arrived at this page directly, add helpful navigation frames here. We are currently reorganising the information on our website. If you're looking for something from the old website, please see the archive here.


16. Treasure Quest Mining

Treasure Quest Mining is an indoor gem mining experience and prehistoric gift shop located in Apex, NC.


17. Banquet

Banquet and Ballroom makes every occasion special, our team of experts offer an unparalleled atmosphere that makes every occasion memorable. Whether it's learning to dance, celebrating one of life's milestones, raising funds for a cause or hosting a nation wide event. We have experts, from caterers, photographers, coordinators to ballroom and Latin dance professionals and judges on staff to ensure every experience is exceptional. So whether you're hoping to wow your wedding guests with the latest trends or you want to dance with the stars, turn to Banquet & Ballroom.com to make it special. Originally from Cuba Yusimi moved to the US for the Arts. After completing a Music Scholarship in Florida, Yusimi moved to Charlotte NC where he began to compete in Ballroom and Latin Dancing. Shortly after he Started the Havana Social Club, an upscale Club offering Latin Dancing and special events. Years ago he expanded into Banquet & Ballroom.com, an event and entertainment company that makes every occasion special. Whether you're hoping to ""Wow"" your wedding guests with your first dance, looking for the perfect place to have an event, or if you simply want to dance with the stars, Banquet and Ballroom offers more than a decade of experience in all types of events such as Wedding Receptions, Corporate gathering, National Dance Competitions and Wedding expos to name a few. We have venues of various sizes in the Charlotte Metro area and experts, from caterers to ballroom and Latin dance instructors, on staff to ensure every experience is exceptional.


18. Momentum Structural Analysis

  • Website: olivermsa.com
  • Headquarters: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Since 1992 Momentum Structural Analysis has provided unique technical research to the financial industry--banks, RIAs, hedge funds, and mutual funds--as well as to large investors. Our research covers all four major exchange-traded asset categories: stocks, commodities, debt, and foreign exchange.


19. Meade Gunnell Engineering & Surveying PC

MEADE GUNNELL is a civil engineering, mining engineering, environmental design, and geographic information systems (GIS) company that has been industry leaders since 1993. Their staff averages over 25 years of experience and has the expertise to manage projects from start to finish with quality and integrity.


20. Clif Droke

  • Website: clifdroke.com
  • Headquarters: Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Clif Droke has been practicing technical market analysis for nearly 20 years ago and is always striving to perfect his craft. After a brief career in journalism, Clif turned his attention to the financial markets in the late 1990s and has been analyzing the market and writing for his clients ever since. He has written the Momentum Strategies Report and Gold & Silver Stock Report newsletters since 1997. Clif formerly co-hosted the Money Watch financial talk show on the Genesis Communications Network. He believes that simplicity is the key when it comes to forecasting market moves. By distilling technical analysis to its most basic essence, he utilizes (and continuously fine tunes) a system which has consistently kept his subscribers on the correct side of the market trend for the last several years. His system has the added feature of minimizing exposure to volatility, which means his clientele typically avoids the drawdowns associated with market declines. Clif is also a committed practitioner of conservative money management as a means of preserving capital and maintaining the profits accrued from his trading recommendations. When he's not helping his subscribers make money, he enjoys reading, writing, swimming and running the beach on his beloved Topsail Island in North Carolina.


21. WFU Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability

  • Website: cees.wfu.edu
  • Headquarters: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn

The Wake Forest University Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES) is an interdisciplinary center that aims to promote critical thinking and effective action across the fields of Renewable Energy, Social Influence, Environment Policy, Enterprise, Environmental Markets, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services, and Human Behavior.


22. Hammer Drilling Rigs

Industry Leaders in Drill Mast Attachments & Limited Access Drilling Rigs. Hammer Drilling Rigs was founded in 2008 from the family owned Techno Drill Ltd line of equipment to meet the growing demand for powerful drilling solutions in the geothermal, geotechnical and micropiling industries. Designed and built in the UK in 1989 by Techno Drill Ltd the original TD308, now the K40, has served some of the largest drilling companies around the world for over 30 years. Hammer Drilling Rigs is proud to be built on this time tested power and durability. The Bunny Drill was the first limited access micropiling rig to become commercially available in Europe and the UK in the early 80s. The design went on to become the TD308. Techno Drill Ltd was formed and began building high torque micropiling rigs starting with the TD308, now the K40 Drilling Rig, for the global drilling market. Founded in North Carolina, Hammer Drilling Rigs was built around the time tested power and durability of the Techno Drill rigs that have been in the industry for over 30 years. With over 30 years experience in the drilling industry, our experts are ready to help you build a drill package that will maximize your drill speeds and project efficiency!


23. Red River Energy Group PLLC

Red River Energy, LLC is a 25 MGY ethanol production facility located in Rosholt, South Dakota. The former North Country Ethanol plant, which was last acquired at auction back in 2011, is re-opening in response to strong ethanol margins after remaining idle since early 2013.


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