The Spring River Gem and Mineral Club will meet Friday, Sept. 2, 10AM, at Thunderbird Center, Cherokee Village, AR.
Bob Hemmann, Senior Geologist in Exploration at the Doe Run Company in Missouri, will focus on the metal and mining industry, with “The Geology, Mining and Milling of the Virburnum Trend”. The Virburnum Trend ore deposits in southeastern Missouri contain the largest reserves of lead and zinc known in the U.S. today. These Mississippi Valley type ore occurrences also have minor but significant amounts of copper, silver and cadmium. Hemmann will discuss the geology of the New Virburnum Trend from depositional environments (the mines in the trend roughly follow an ancient coral reef complex), to mineralization (how it was changed into an ore) , and brecciation ( the breaking down of rock into fragments.) He will also discuss the history of the development and mining of the Trend, and the milling process used to recover the metals.
Hammann, from Salem, Mo., began his career in the mining industry as a mine geologist with the DoeRun Company in 2006. In 2015 he was promoted to Geology Supervisor of the south trend. and in 2020 promoted to Supervisor of Mine Geology. In 2022, he assumed the role of Senior Geologist in Exploration.
The purpose of the Spring River Gem & Mineral Club is to provide “interest and education in mineralogy, lapidary, geology, paleontology and archeology.” Perks of membership are field trips and a monthly silent auction for mineral/fossil specimens. Speakers are always experts in their field. SRGMC October 6 meeting will feature Freda Cruse, a native American author and historian.
Guests are welcome to attend the meeting and join us for Dutch treat lunch at an area restaurant after the meeting. For further information call 901-647-1521 or 901-212- 0365.