Georgia

Georgia has a rich mining history dating back to the early 1800s when gold was discovered in Lumpkin and White counties. The Georgia Gold Rush became the first significant gold mining event in the United States and helped establish the state as a major producer of gold, along with North Carolina and Virginia. Over the following decades, other minerals such as iron, copper, and coal were also mined in various regions of Georgia.

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The 20th century saw continued growth in Georgia's mining industry, with important discoveries including barite in Bartow County, kaolin in Macon and Aiken counties, and bauxite in Floyd, Bartow, and Polk counties. Today, the mining industry in Georgia remains an important sector of the economy, employing thousands of people and producing significant amounts of various minerals that add to the state's economic development.