History & Timeline
Our History
The Kyanite Mining Corporation (KMC) has a long, storied history as rich as the land we are lucky enough to call home. We are the world’s oldest and largest producer of kyanite and mullite and the world’s only supplier of Virginia Kyanite™ and Virginia Mullite™. Our story really begins well before we became KMC—it starts with the discovery of Virginia Kyanite™ in the southeastern Appalachian Mountains.
Early 1900s
Joel Watkins, a West Virginia State Geologist, discovers most of the kyanite deposits in the southeastern Appalachians and purchased them with his partner Mr. McLanahan.
1915
The usefulness of sillimanite minerals (including kyanite) were recognized during World War I as an electrical insulator and replacing feldspar in sparkplugs of jeeps.
Early 1920s
McLanahan-Watkins Co. began mining kyanite at Baker Mountain.
1926
Kyanite mining ceased.
1937
Baker Mountain was acquired by the Phosphate Recovery Corp. in 1937.
1940
Kyanite mining resumed and the Phosphate Recovery Corp was reorganized and changed its name to the Kyanite Products Corp.
Early 1940s
Several companies bought the kyanite mine on Baker Mountain and mismanagement led to bankruptcy. The kyanite mine was auctioned off on the Richmond courthouse steps to a local investor group that included Guy A. Dixon and Gene Dixon Sr.
1945
Kyanite Mining Corporation was created.
Late 1940s
Investors outside of the Dixon family left the company and the Dixons became the sole owners of Kyanite Mining Corporation. To this day, Kyanite Mining Corporation remains a family-owned business run by the Dixon family.
1957
Kyanite mining begins at Willis Mountain.
1965
Gene Dixon Jr. joins Kyanite Mining Corporation.
Mid 1960s
Mullite plant in Dillwyn is built.
1978
East Ridge facilities open.
1990s
Gieseke is built.
1998
Current President Guy Dixon joins the company.
Early 2000s
Kyanite Mining Corporation wins several reclamation awards for environmental stewardship.
2005
Disthene mining begins.
2020
Premium Grade Virginia Mullite comes to market.
Today
We’re a 4th generation family-run business and honored to live, work, and relax in the Virginia Piedmont. We pride ourselves on providing a product that is unmatched in quality and purity and is produced under the most rigorous safety standards. We care deeply about the people who mine our products and the mountains where they come from which is why we invest in our community and our environment.