GMS Micromount Section Field Trip May 2023

GMS Micromount Section Field Trip
Cacoxenite, Kidwellite, Dufrenite, Strengite, and Rockbridgeite
in Alabama
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Members of the GMS Micromount Section have made several exploratory trips this year to Indian Mountain in Cherokee Co., Alabama, culminating in a section field trip on Wednesday May 31. This is one of the most famous micromineral sites in the Southeast, producing an array of world-class iron phosphate microminerals. However, for various reasons, the site has not been collected for many years. All changed this year when the current owners agreed to allow collecting on their property.

Although there are over twenty pits on the 4200-acre site, we focused on one, tentatively named Pit # 1, because of ease of access. Three of us collected there on the first scouting trip, seven on the second, and ten attended the official trip on May 31. Among the minerals collected during these outings were some of the iron phosphates that the site is famous for: cacoxenite, kidwellite, dufrenite, strengite, and rockbridgeite. In addition, members collected goethite and other iron minerals and drusy stalactitic quartz. Indian Mountain has many possibilities for future trips, including during the November Micromineral Symposium at Tellus, as we work with the owners to explore other collecting areas.

Jose Santamaria
Field Trip Lead