Visit Consolidated Gold Mine to venture into a subterranean world and discover what life was like for miners searching for gold more than 100 years ago.
The mine opened in 1895 and was operational for little more than a decade. Miners sought to extract gold locked up inside veins of quartz. The largest is 22 feet (6.7 meters) thick and known as the Glory Hole vein.
Head down three flights of stairs and two ramps to reach the network of mining tunnels 200 feet (61 meters) underground. Learn about the miner's struggles to uncover gold, including the vein system's location below the water table.
See the Glory Hole vein and ask questions about the gold mining history of the Dahlonega area and the purity of its precious yellow metal. It is among the purest gold in the world at around 98% purity, making it more than 23 carats.
Watch a demonstration of how miners used to blast quartz veins to uncover gold deposits. Look at original mining equipment such as wheelbarrows that were used to transport lumps of quartz.
After your tour, try your luck at panning for gold, which is included in the admission price. Before you start, miners will demonstrate how best to use a gold pan. You can keep any gold you find.
For an additional fee, go gemstone mining and search for topaz, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and more. Take your pick from the various-sized buckets laden with rocks and precious stones. For details of prices, visit the mine's official website. There is also a gem cutting service and jewelry station that can turn your rough gems into sparkling jewels.
Consolidated Gold Mine is located less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from downtown Dahlonega. Travel here by taxi or drive and use the free car parking facilities. The mine is open daily except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission charges apply with discounts for children aged between 3 and 12 years. The underground tours last for approximately 40 minutes.
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