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White Rock No. 3 Mine

Smyth County, Virginia
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Next site in VirginiaGlade Mountain Mine 1910 · 0.4 mi

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See who owns this land and whether it is claimedPro shows the owner, the claim on this spot and every claim within a mile.
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Based on our latest records, with claims updated from the BLM on Oct 9, 2026. Land and claims can change quickly, so check before you go.

Minerals on record here

4 minerals
LimoniteLimonitePsilomelanePsilomelanePyrolusitePyrolusite

Also recorded: iron.

Nearby sites

All of Virginia
0.4 miGlade Mountain Mine 1910Iron, limonite, psilomelane, pyrolusite2 miPhillipi Branch MineIron, pyrolusite4 miSlemp Creek ProspectIron, pyrolusite

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About White Rock No. 3 Mine

White Rock No. 3 Mine is a historic mining site in Smyth, Virginia, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The mineralization is hosted in Shady (Dolomite), within the Blue Ridge Front setting. Reported specimens include Iron, Limonite, Psilomelane, Pyrolusite; logged ore minerals are Limonite, Psilomelane. The site was discovered in 1875; workings are surface.

Geology and deposit

Host rock
Shady — Dolomite
Orebody form
IRREGULAR
Tectonic setting
Blue Ridge Front
Ore minerals
LimonitePsilomelane

Mining history

Status
Past Producer
Workings
Surface
Production size
Small
Discovered
1875
Last production
1875

Records and references

Cited references

STOSE, G.W., MISER, H.D., KATZ, F.S., AND HEWETT, D.F., 1919, MANGANESE DEPOSITS OF THE WEST FOOT OF THE BLUE RIDGE, VIRGINIA: VGS BULLETIN 17, P. 148. MILLER, RALPH L., 1944, GIOLOGY AND MANGANESE DEPOSITS OF THE GLADE MTN DISTRICT: VGS BULLETIN 61, P. 76-78. GOOCH, E.O., 1954, IRON IN VIRGINIA: VDG MINERAL RESOURCES CIRCULAR 1, P. 9.

Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, record 10067255 — view the source record

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Questions about White Rock No. 3 Mine

Can you collect at White Rock No. 3 Mine?

It depends on who owns the land and whether a mining claim covers it. BLM land usually allows hand collecting for personal use, national parks allow none, and private land needs the owner’s permission. Pro members see the owner and any claims at this spot.

What minerals are found at White Rock No. 3 Mine?

Iron, limonite, psilomelane and pyrolusite.

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Source: USGS Mineral Resources Data System.

Photos: Limonite by Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0; Psilomelane by Shannon Heinle, CC0; Pyrolusite by “Jon Zander (Digon3)", CC BY-SA 3.0.