Prez Says...

by Dan Teich, MSDC President

Dan Teich and Jordon, the geologist, at the Dawson Mine in Hollis Alaska.

It’s been a rock-filled summer for me, Shawn, and Calvin T. Dog. We’ve been trucking across the continent, visiting a myriad cities, towns, lakes, forests, and of course, roadcuts. In late June, we loaded up our truck and took off and now almost 7,000 miles later, we continue the journey. I’ll be joining this meeting from somewhere in or near Colorado!

In June we had one of our most favorite people, the esteemed Dr. Mike Wise of the Smithsonian, give us a round-up of new acquisitions and happenings within gems, rocks, and minerals at the Smithsonian. A big personal appreciation to the good doctor for his time and especially enthusiasm.

For our first of the season presentations, Les Presmyk, the Arizona State Mine Inspector, will take us to Bisbee, Arizona, a place of where copper has performed some geological wonders. As a guy who collects copper and its associated minerals, I can’t wait to see his photos and talk!

Bisbee has been famous for over a century and the Smithsonian has an impressive, dedicated display case of malachite, azurite and other minerals from the mines. These specimens came mostly from the collection of Dr. James S. Douglas who was associated with the Copper Queen Mine.

Copper minerals from Bisbee, Arizona on display at the Smithsonian's NMNH.

At a future meeting, I’ll describe our journeys and the rocks we collected. Last week I sent home seven flat-rate boxes chock full of rocks and minerals for our tables at the annual Northern Virginia Mineral Club show at George Mason University in November! Along the way in Alaska, I was fortunate to meet the geologist of an active gold mine and get an immersive tour. The mine was kind enough to let me collect some minerals from the active workings for our annual fundraiser, too! There be gold in them there rocks (literally, there is gold in them). More in a later write-up about the gold mine.

Photo of the wall of the mine showing the ore -- chalcopyrite and many sulfides -- it ain't native gold you are seeing.

We also met some wonderful folks at the Mt. Baker Rock and Gem Club. The club has a storefront in a mall in Bellingham, Washington. Sales of minerals, equipment, and other items pay the rent and allows for a lapidary studio behind the retail section. It’s an amazing concept. More about them later, too!

The Mount Baker Rock and Gem Club store with Sandee (glasses) and Susan and Shawn.

Remnants of a mill at a historic Salt Chuck Mine site in Kasaan, Alaska. The mine and mill operated from 1905 to 1941, processing more than 326,000 tons of ore containing gold, silver, copper, and palladium.

An adit at the historic Salt Chuck Mine in Kasaan, Alaska.

It is my hope your summer has been filled with rocks, gems, and all sorts of minerals. Ours has been, and currently continues to be, a whirlwind!