Manganese in the Mountains

[scotto]

Yesterday, Fossis took me to his secret spot to hunt Manganese in SW Arkansas. Overlooking the Cossatot river, it was mined here in the 1950's, and while the mining has stopped, the mines are still there. Up...up...up we hiked, and wow are my legs sore today. The view up there was incredible. We did better than Fossis thought we would do on what we found. Any 'expedition' with Fossis is a great time!

Pic #1 is me at the smaller mine entrance, and #2 is Fossis by the larger one. #3 is the view from up there.

 

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[scotto]

Pic #4 is a look into the small mine entrance. Bars were put up to keep the people out and protect the bats that live there now.

Here's a shot of the Cossatot River near the road.

And here's a pic of a neat double-sphere of Manganese that Fossis found, he always finds the best stuff.

 

[scotto]

Here's a pic of some of the specimens we collected.

Here's a close-up shot of what it looks like.

Here's a neat shot of a huge dead tree near the peak, with a view of the rocks all around the area.

 

[alwayslookin]

don't get over exposed:

"How can manganese affect my health?

Some individuals exposed to very high levels of manganese for long periods of time in their work developed mental and emotional disturbances and slow and clumsy body movements. "

 

[fossis]

Thanks for the info, Alwayslooking, I noticed it would 'dirty your hands',after handling it, (good to know).
& before aa jumps in on this 'opportune moment', (I was slow & clumsy) before I found Manganese.

(Great pic's Scotto)
Fossis.............

 

[Timberwolf]

Very Cool Scotto, nice pics!

That Fossis has some neat secret places, doesn't he

TW

 

[E59]

That bubbly texture sure is neat. My mom had some geodes that looked like that, just not black. Really great views, looks like a good time was had by all!

 

[Excavator]

Interesting, I hadn't seen natural manganese before. I worked in a plant that produced electrolytic manganese and MnO2 (manganese dioxide). MnO2 is what makes up the core of batteries such as 9 volt or C, D-cells. That bubbly texture looks familiar, that's how our product turned out when the batch was wrong. When we saw those bubbles, we knew we were in for a bad day. The bubbles would hold sulphuric acid (used in the process). When the bubbles burst, you got splashed with boiling acid. Never a dull moment.

Mn will definitely foul up your central nervous system, it's suspected of contributing to Parkinson's disease. But just walking there or handling the 'stones' probably would have no effect. Long term exposures to Mn dust is a problem. There's a study being done here about the Mn emissions around the plant, one of the most polluted places in the US.

Back in the day, El Mang was about $9/lb. 100lbs will fit in a dog food bag.

 

[WindHarvester]

Thanks for taking us along!

Lonnie

 

[mamabear]

I love Ark. it has lots of treasures. I go to the crystal mines whenever I can. those are great specs

 

[Digginman]

An awesome adventure!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

DM

 

[Bridge End Farm]

that was cool pics, just like we were there too thanks

 

[rmptr]

Neato stuff!

Fossis is #1

rmptr

 

[fossis]

Thanks folks, we had a great time & glad you could come along.
The name 'Cossatot' is an indian word meaning (bone crusher), I guess from rough canoe rides down it. :P

We're planning a 'crystal dig' next week.
Fossis.............

 

[VanGone]

Excellent post with excellent pictures.Looks to me like your learning a lot from Fossis.Your post reminds me of his. I think you both should be keeping a journal on your adventures. Thanks for the post I enjoyed it.
Van

 

[mamabear]

oh!! I am green w/ envy! what mine are you going to? Fossis you are sooo lucky to be there!
this is a pic of some of our local keepers. druzy I find it all over here. have some pretty nice specimens but this is one of my faves. the crystal in my avatar is from a dig at colemans

 

[fossis]

oh!! I am green w/ envy! what mine are you going to? Fossis you are sooo lucky to be there!
this is a pic of some of our local keepers. druzy I find it all over here. have some pretty nice specimens but this is one of my faves. the crystal in my avatar is from a dig at colemans

We're going to dig on some private property for crystals, the 'druzy' is a nice piece, I figured your avitar pic was an AR crystal. :P

Fossis............

 

[mamabear]

ok now I'm really green!

 

[scotto]

Looks to me like your learning a lot from Fossis.Your post reminds me of his. I think you both should be keeping a journal on your adventures.

Thanks Van. Fossis is a great teacher, he's got me into this rockhounding hobby and I've got the bug now pretty bad.
Most of what we do gets posted here on T-net, I'm a camera nut and I like to document all of our adventures.

Hopefuly we'll have some success at finding some of the crystals in a few days, and I can bring ya'll along on that trip as well.

 

[boogeyman]

don't get over exposed:

"How can manganese affect my health?

Some individuals exposed to very high levels of manganese for long periods of time in their work developed mental and emotional disturbances and slow and clumsy body movements. "

Jeeze.... Annd all these years I was thinking it was old age