Click here to view [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-79.html]Best Minerals M[/url][/b], click here to view and here for [url=http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?tab=65][b]Best Minerals A to Z[/b][/url] and here for [url=http://www.mindat.org/mesg-63-159134.html][b]Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles[/b].[/url] Can you help make this a better article? What good localities have we missed? Can you supply pictures of better specimens than those we show here? Can you give us more and better information about the specimens from these localities? Can you supply better geological or historical information on these localities? [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/min-2711.html]Millerite[/url][/b] [b]NiS[/b] Trigonal [pic id=183570 width=800 float=centre]Millerite from the Thompson Mine, Canada, 2.7X6.3X1.5cm[/pic] A nickel sulfide mineral (NiS) found in carbonate veins, or as an alteration product of other nickel minerals. Other occurrences are in meteorites and as a sublimation product on Vesuvius. Millerite forms pale brass-yellow crystals that belong to the hexagonal system. [b]Millerite Australia [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=122759]Western Australia, Goldfields-Esperance region, Agnew (Perseverance Deposit)[/url][/b] [pic id=180856 height=300 float=left]5.2x4.2cm[/pic] [pic id=99272 height=300 float=centre]7x4cm[/pic] One of the largest nickel sulfide deposits in the world with reserves of 45 million tons at 2.05% nickel. We need someone to tell us about the specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite Belgium [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=29191]Limburg Province, Genk, Winterslag Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=219808 height=300 float=left]FOV 4,5cm[/pic] [pic id=90222 height=300 float=centre]FOV 0,3cm[/pic] In concretions found on the dumps of the coal mines of Winterslag very nice up to 5 cm long Millerite crystals have been found over the years. Winterslag mine is located close to the provincial town of Genk. [b]Millerite Canada [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-506.html]Manitoba, Moab-Setting Lakes area, Thompson Mine (Thompson T-1 Mine; Thompson Open pit)[/url][/b] [pic id=183570 height=275 float=left]2.7X6.3X1.5cm[/pic] [pic id=159305 height=275 float=centre]7X4X1cm[/pic] [pic id=183072 height=275 float=left]7X4.5X2cm[/pic] [pic id=183075 height=275 float=centre]9.2X3.4x4.3cm[/pic] An open pit nickel mine owned by Inco, Ltd. Started about 1986. Located on the Thompson nickel belt. The acicular Millerite was all frozen in Calcite and etched out using hydrochloric acid (info Rob Woodside) Can you tell us more about specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite[/b] [b]Canada[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-13226.html]Ontario, Nipissing District, Phyllis Township, Copperfields Mine (Temagami Mine), Temagami Island, Lake Temagami (Timagami Lake; Tamagaming)[/url][/b] [pic id=205231 height=345 float=left]7x3,5cm[/pic] [pic id=317083 height=345 float=centre]2,1x1,2cm[/pic] A copper mine in a sulfide ore body. Produced $34,000,000 Canadian in copper. The mine is now flooded and closed 1972. Owned by Copperfields Mining Co. [b]Millerite Canada [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=605]Québec, Sherbrooke Co.,St-Denis-de-Brompton, Orford Nickel Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=183643 height=300 float=left]FOV 1,8cm[/pic] [pic id=33329 height=300 float=centre]FOV 0,23cm[/pic] Can you help us with information on specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite Canada [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=8082]Ontario, Sudbury District, Strathcona Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=219322 height=300 float=left]4,4x3,8x1,8cm[/pic] [pic id=96356 height=300 float=centre]7x4,5cm[/pic] A nickel mine located in Levack Township. The ore is in the Sudbury nickel irruptive, a giant polymetallic deposit (hosted within one of the Earth's largest impact craters with a diameter of 250 km). Workings are deeper than 3,000 feet (> 1,000 meters). Millerite usually occurs as massive veins. The most attractive specimens are those where the silvery Millerite vein runs through massive chunks of golden coloured Chalcopyrite. Can anyone help us with information and photographs of specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite Czech Republic [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=18510]Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Central Bohemia Region, Kladno, Ronna Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=130305 height=340 float=left]4,9x2,6x2,5cm[/pic] [pic id=77983 height=340 float=centre]FOV 0,6cm[/pic] Coal mine. Can anyone help us with information and photographs of specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite France [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-204997.html]Lorraine, Moselle, Lorraine coal basin, Forbach, Stiring-Wendel, Simon Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=225326 height=300 float=left]19x15x9cm[/pic] [pic id=225324 height=300 float=centre]FOV 2cm[/pic] [b]Millerite from the Saar-Lorraine coal basin[/b] The occurrence of Millerite led to the the first scientific research on Saar coal basin minerals by STEININGER (1819). He describes hairlike crystals associated with siderite/ankerite ("Braunspath" ), pyrite and sphalerite. They were found in a newly opened coal mine in the "Friedrichsthal" in 1806". JORDAN (1854, cited by GUTHÖRL 1963) also reported Millerite formed in crevices of sphaerosiderite on siderite crystals. At that time Millerite was known from the Jägersfreude, Dudweiler, Sulzbach, Friedrichsthal and St. Ingbert mines. Also during railway construction Millerite was found. Probably the best specimens were recovered at the Brefeld mine. GUTHÖRL (1963) reports that he obtained Millerite specimens from that mine with needles up to 60 mm lenght from the Hoffman collection for the geological collection of the Saarbrücken mining academy in 1944. They were associated with Ankerite and Chalcopyrite. Unfortunately most of the samples were lost during a bombing in WW II. GROTH (1878) also describes Millerite from the Dechen and Dudweiler mines occurring in needles of more than 1 Zoll (inch) lenght. The most common association of millerite in the Saar coal basin is with Siderite/Ankerite, Dolomite and Chalcopyrite. Specimens with other sulfide minerals like Galena or Sphalerite are more rare. According to GUTHÖRL Millerite was found in almost all mines of the region except Ensdorf/Griesborn, Viktoria and Velsen mines. As a result of the closure of almost all mines no more finds are to be expected. Around 1980 a few Millerite samples were found at the dumps of the Camphausen mine by the contributor (Roger Lang). They consisted of lustrous sprays of acicular Millerites in Siderite covered vugs in siltstone/shale. As most of the dumps are landscaped or covered today new finds are almost impossible. The millerite occurrences of the french side of the coal basin were not described by GUTHÖRL. In the early 1980s some millerite specimens from Lorraine were offered at a local mineral show. One sample was acquired by the contributor. It was told to originate from the Simon/Wendel mine between Petite-Rosselle and Forbach near the german-french border. It is a large specimen with Siderite crystals covered partly by hairlike Millerite crystals up to approx. 3 cm lenght, accompanied by small Chalcopyrite crystals. Consequentially also the french part of the basin can be considered to have been an important source of millerite specimens in the region. Millerite specimens from the Saar coal basin are preserved in the geological collection of the Saarland. The collection is based at Landsweiler-Reden at the former Reden mine site. It is a merge of the geological collection of the Saarland University with the inventory of the geological-mineralogical collection of the Deutsche Steinkohle AG (DSK, the successor of the collection of the mining academy (Bergingenieurschule Saarbrücken), later Geologische Sammlung der Saarbergwerke AG). The collection is not at display at the moment (April 2009). According to GUTHÖRL other specimens were kept at the departments of mineralogy at Berlin, Munich and Heidelberg universities. [Roger Lang 2009] [b]Mineralogy, geology and mining history of the Saar-Lorraine coal basin[/b] The coal of the Saar coal basin has been mined for a long time with a first reference from the 14th century. The coal seams are of carboniferous age and were formed in an intramontane through and they are of limnic origin (in contrary to the Ruhr coal which is paralic). The seams are hosted by conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones and shales of the Westphalian C and D to the Stephanian C. Their average thickness is approx. 1,7 to 1,8 m. The area where the coal was mined extends from Faulquemont and Folschviller in the southwest via Merlebach (all in Lorraine, France), to the german side with the Warndt, Völklingen and Saarbrücken to Neunkirchen and Bexbach in the northeast. During the 19th century hundreds of shafts were working and at the end of the century larger mines were established like the sites of Camphausen, Brefeld und Maybach. Due to the technical development the extraction tonnage increased - only interrupted by World War I, the economy crisis in the 1930s and shortly after World War II - to reach a peak of 17.2 million tonnes in 1955. From 1957 the coal crisis - caused by the increasing use of oil and the cheaper imported coal - led to the close-down of numerous mines and to a consolidation of smaller sites to larger combined mines. In 1968 only 5 mines were left: Ensdorf, Warndt/Luisenthal, Göttelborn, Reden and Camphausen. The latter was closed as a discrete mine and consolidated with Reden and Göttelborn to form the "Verbundbergwerk Ost" (combined East mine) in 1995. This mine was equipped with the worldwide highest headframe - and closed in 2000. In 2005 mining at the Warndt/Luisenthal mine ended and after the closing of the privately owned small scale Fischbach mine end of 2008 only one active mine was left: the "Bergwerk Saar"(Saar mine) in Ensdorf which is operated by the Deutsche Steinkohle AG (DSK). Due to mining-induced seismicity resulting in earthquakes the extraction of the Saar mine had to be reduced in 2008 from 15.000 t per day to almost a third. The closure is determined for the year 2012. Over the centuries approx. 1.5 billion tonnes of coal have been extracted. During active mining quite a lot of mineral specimens were recovered in the Saar coal basin. The sand- and siltstone host rock contains smallscale hydrothermal mineralization in clefts and small veinlets as well as the coal itself locally was mineralized by hydrothermal fluids. Similar to other coal basins also ironstone geodes - consisting of clayey siderite concrections - contained epigenetic mineralization in shrink crevices. The mineralization is quite uniform. Most common non-metallic minerals are carbonates like Siderite, Dolomite, Ankerite and Calcite, also Baryte and Quartz occurred. Sulphides are Pyrite, Marcasite, Sphalerite, Chalcopyrite, more rare Galena and Linnaeite. An overview of the minerals of the Saar region coal mines was given by WILLERT (1914, cited by GUTHÖRL 1963). Most specimens were not very spectacular and can be looked upon as locality specimens but the Millerite samples were outstanding. [Roger Lang 2009] [b]Millerite[/b] [b]Germany[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-1812.html]Lower Saxony, Harz, St Andreasberg District, St Andreasberg[/url][/b] [pic id=190700 height=360 float=left]8x7,6cm[/pic] [pic id=190542 height=360 float=centre]10x7,4cm[/pic] Historical silver mining area, located around 25 km SE of Clausthal-Zellerfeld. Quartz-calcite veins, carrying a suite of lead-copper-silver-arsenic ores, hosted by diabase included devonian schists. Today, all the mines are closed. [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=107000]North Rhine-Westphalia, Sauerland, Hagen, Donnerkuhle Quarry[/url][/b] [pic id=385198 height=600 float=centre]Beautiful 5cm spray of Millerite on Calcite[/pic] [pic id=219441 height=320 float=left]8x6cm[/pic] [pic id=120670 height=320 float=centre]FOV 1cm[/pic] [pic id=106769 height=420 float=left]FOV 0,6cm Bravoite,Millerite[/pic] [pic id=106660 height=420 float=centre]FOV 0,6cm Linnaeite-Polydymite,Millerite[/pic] [pic id=104556 height=315 float=left]FOV 12cm[/pic] [pic id=312795 height=315 float=centre]6x4cm[/pic] Locality photo: [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-128400.html]1[/url] The Donnerkuhle quarry (operated by the Rheinkalk company, a subsidiary of the Lhoist consortium) is situated on the northern edge of the "Rheinisches Schiefergebirge" (Rhine Slate Mountains) in an area of Devonian Limestone (Massenkalk) . In the north-eastern part of the quarry a small zone of Schwarzschiefer (black slated Limestone) is situated in which discordant Calcite veins occur regularly. The Millerite is encountered in these discordant Calcite veins. Specimens have been found showing lath like Millerite crystals up to 10 cm in length (!) and cabinet specimens with lots of Millerite crystals ranging from 5 cm upwards were no rarity. Corkscrew Millerites, twisted Millerite crystals like the one linked in picture 2 above, were quite common, as well as Millerite needles with epitaxial Bravoite. Two finds of Millerite needles with epitaxial Linnaeite-Polydymite Series crystals are documented. Due to a fatal accident in another quarry of the Rheinkalk group there is now a ban on on-site collecting. [Harjo Neutkens 2009] [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-16063.html]North Rhine-Westphalia, Sauerland, Meschede, Ramsbeck[/url][/b] [pic id=116860 height=320 float=left]4,6x4cm[/pic] [pic id=11994 height=320 float=centre]4,6x4cm[/pic] Ancient lead and zinc mines located near the town of Ramsbeck delivered very nice Millerite. We need someone to tell us about the specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=17710]North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr Coal Mining area, Recklinghausen, Marl-Hüls, Auguste-Victoria Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=219357 height=320 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=11997 height=320 float=centre]3cm[/pic] Locality photo: [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-127412.html]1[/url] Ancient coal mine located at Marl-Hüls, around 7 km NW of Recklinghausen. Millerite was found in crystals up to 4 cm in length on splendid specimens, these have made Auguste-Victoria famous. [Bode, Wittern, Mineralien und Fundstellen BDR 1989] Millerite was encountered in many of the Coal Mines in the Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr area), often in very good specimens. [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=17709]North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr Coal Mining area, Essen, Zollverein Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=11993 height=300 float=left]FOV 3cm[/pic] [pic id=103499 height=300 float=centre]0,7cm[/pic] Coal Mine, closed in 1987. Many fine Millerite specimens were recovered from the mine during the time it was operated. Millerite occurred in single crystals up to 10 cm in length as well as in star-like aggregates around Chalcopyrite crystals [Bode, Wittern, Mineralien und Fundstellen BDR 1989] [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=19907]Rhineland-Palatine, Siegerland, Wissen, Eichelhardt, Petersbach Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=9202 height=340 float=left]4.5cm[/pic] [pic id=219352 height=340 float=centre]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] Located near Eichelhardt, about 7 km SSW of Wissen. The iron and base metal ore deposit of the Petersbach mine belongs to the Siegerland-Wied siderite district. The mine was situated near the township of Eichelhardt approx. 7 km south of Wissen. First time mentioned in the 17th century, the early workings were on Pb and Ag ore. A significant period lasted 1780 to 1811 when mainly base metal ores were mined. Due to the exceptional suitability of the iron ore for the production of Spiegeleisen, a ferromanganese alloy containing up to 20 % manganese and small quantities of carbon and silicon, the mine was claimed again in 1823 (for "Stahlstein") and worked until 1890, when Spiegeleisen became more and more obsolete due to newly developed techniques in the production of iron and steel. In the same year the mine was purchased by the Wissener Eisenhütten AG. At the turn of the century this company had to extended its ore basis and in 1901 a new shaft was sunk. During the 1930s the exhaustion of the ore reserves became more and more evident and finally in 1937 the mine was closed. Reaching a depth of 1025 m, the mine was one of the deepest ore mines in the Siegerland. From 1780 to 1937 a total of 2.36 million tons of siderite ore, and from 1811 to 1937 4300 t of copper ore, 11540 t of Pb ore, 4830 t of Zinkblende (sphalerite) and 107 t of Ni ore were mined. The mineralization is of hydrothermal vein type in devonian (meta-)sedimentary rocks (Upper to Lower Siegen) and consists of siderite veins with quartz gangue and base metal sulfide ores especially at the upper levels of the mine. Laspeyres describes "Antimonnickelglanz" (Ullmannite) and Millerite from the Petersbach mine in his 1893 article about Nickel mineral occurrences of the Rhineland and Westphalia region. The millerite finds were among the best of the Siegerland and crystals reached up to 8 cm lenght. [Roger Lang 2009] [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-11245.html]Rhineland-Palatine, Siegerland, Wissen, Schönstein, Friedrich Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=232905 height=300 float=left]1,7x1,5 cm[/pic] [pic id=249734 height=300 float=centre]2,1x1,2 cm[/pic] Info needed about specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-32129.html]North Rhine-Westphalia, Siegerland, Neunkirchen[/url][/b] [pic id=219353 height=280 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=297895 height=280 float=centre]FOV 6cm[/pic] We need someone to tell us about specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-14850.html]North Rhine-Westphalia, Siegerland, Littfeld, Victoria Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=219360 height=460 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=135824 height=460 float=centre]5,9x4,9cm[/pic] [pic id=171912 height=360 float=left]4x3cm[/pic] [pic id=111820 height=360 float=centre]6x4,5cm[/pic] Pb-Zn mine. Mining started here in the 17th century, and was finally abandoned in 1927. In 1909 Victoria Mine delivered the best Millerite crystals of the Siegerland. The shiny Millerites occurred in sprays and thick aggregates. [Bode, Wittern, Mineralien und Fundstellen BDR 1989] [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=13188]Rhineland -Palatine, Westerwald, Wied Iron Spar District[/url][/b] [pic id=219443 height=380 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=132356 height=380 float=centre]4,8x3cm[/pic] can someone help us with information about specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite Germany [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=18097]Bavaria, Franconia, Münchberg Metamorphic complex, Oberkotzau, Wurlitz, Hess quarry[/url][/b] [pic id=113774 height=300 float=left]FOV 3,5cm[/pic] [pic id=293481 height=300 float=centre]FOV 3,4cm[/pic] A very beautiful as wel as interesting paragenesis is encountered in Wurlitz, Millerite together with Topazolite Garnet. Many very nice specimens reside in German museums as well as in private collections. The quarry lies in a Serpentinite body with inclusions of saussurite gabbro, worked intermittently since around 1880. The material was initially used as a gravel for railway construction, because its low contents of sodium, potassium and calcium are largely prohibiting any plant growth. Later on, it was used as a filling material for synthetic polymers. Located west of Wurlitz and about 5 km ESE of Oberkotzau. [b]Millerite Ireland [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=62356]Co. Mayo, Sheeffry Mine (Tawnycrower Mine; Sheefry Mine; Sheffry Mine)[/url][/b] [pic id=23279 height=300 float=left]FOV 2,5cm[/pic] [pic id=23278 height=300 float=centre]FOV 2cm[/pic] 19th century trial for argentiferous galena. Consists of a series of small adits on a hillside. Can anyone help us with information about specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite Italy [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=25461]Emilia-Romagna, Bologna Province, Gaggio Montano, Ca' dei Ladri (Silla)[/url][/b] [pic id=167648 height=600 float=left]FOV 0,3cm[/pic] [pic id=162288 height=600 float=centre]FOV 0,7cm[/pic] Area in which occur cretaceous sedimentary rocks with hydrothermal veins that contain interesting minerals. The locality is not known for cabinet sized specimens but rather for outstanding micromounts. [b]Millerite[/b] [b]Italy[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-56418.html]Emilia-Romagna, Bologna Province, Grizzana, Monte Acuto Ragazza[/url][/b] [pic id=392964 height=360 float=left]3,8x3,2cm[/pic] [pic id=405518 height=360 float=centre]5,8x2,8cm[/pic] Outcrops of hydrothermalites. Info needed. [b]Millerite Netherlands [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=29188]Limburg, Brunssum, Hendrik-Emma dumps[/url][/b] [pic id=220951 height=300 float=left]FOV 1cm[/pic] [pic id=220950 height=300 float=centre]FOV 0,5cm[/pic] Dumps of the two former coal mines Hendrik and Emma. Nice Millerite has been found on the dumps comparable to those found in the Ruhr coal mining region just across the border in Germany and the Genk coal mining region nearby in Belgium. [b]Millerite Norway [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=13911]Telemark, Kragerø, Valberg Quarry[/url][/b] [pic id=159435 height=400 float=centre]8cm[/pic] A small find of excellent specimens with aggregates of millerite crystals to 3 cm was made in the Valberg quarry near the city of Kragerø in 1996 by Aslak Jensen. There is a large specimen on display at the Kongsberg mining museum and a few good specimens also exist in private collections in Norway. [Knut Eldjarn 2009] [b]Millerite Poland [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=131682]Upper Silesia (Śląskie), Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Czerwionka-Leszczyny, Szczygłowice Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=82388 height=300 float=left]FOV 3cm[/pic] [pic id=82390 height=300 float=centre]FOV 2cm[/pic] Dump of Szczygłowice Mine. Mineralization within sphaerosiderites (ankerite-dolomite series, barite, calcite-siderite series, marcasite, millerite, pyrite, quartz, sphalerite) Can anyone help us with information about specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite[/b] [b]Russia[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-2807.html]Russia, Urals Region, Middle Urals, Permskaya Oblast', Gornozavodskii area, Saranovskaya (Sarany) Village, Saranovskii Mine (Saranovskoe)[/url][/b] [pic id=246444 height=350 float=left]2,7x2,6cm[/pic] [pic id=274676 height=350 float=centre]1,5cm spray[/pic] Locality famous for splendid specimens of Uvarovite, Titanite and Amesite. [b]Millerite[/b] [b]South Africa[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-54251.html]Limpopo Province, Mabilikewe Hill, Pafuri nickel deposit[/url][/b] [pic id=118479 height=360 float=left]9,6cm[/pic] [pic id=350545 height=360 float=centre]6,7cm[/pic] 35 km NW of Pafuri, 0.8 km south of Limpopo River. Deposit has not been economically exploited - specimens from outcrops. [b]Millerite Spain [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-50144.html]Catalonia, Tarragona, Priorat, Bellmint del Priorat, Eugenia Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=105764 height=350 float=left]2.5x2.1x3.3cm[/pic] [pic id=214628 height=350 float=centre]7x5cm[/pic] Site photo: [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-127751.html]1[/url], [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-127747.html]2[/url] The village of Bellmunt del Priorat was the center of one of the most prolific lead mining areas in Catalonia between the end of the 19th century and the 1970s. The Eugenia Mine was the most important Pb mine in the area: it consisted of more than 14 km of galleries up to 620 m deep distributed in 20 levels, reaching more than 300 m below the sea level. A metallurgical ore-processing complex was built around the mine during the first years of the 20th century. A modernist syle building built in 1905, called "Casa de les Mines", hosted the "Minas del Priorato, S.A." company headquarters, laboratories and offices until the mine was definitely closed in 1972. [b]Millerite[/b] [b]United Kingdom[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-4290.html]Bridgend (Wales, Mid Glamorgan; Glamorgan), Wyndham, Wyndham Colliery[/url][/b] [pic id=9752 height=280 float=left]1cm spray[/pic] [pic id=61 height=280 float=centre]FOV ?cm[/pic] Opened by John Brogden and Sons in 1868, the ownership of Wyndham Colliery passed to Tondu and Ogmore Coal and Iron Co. by 1880 and then to North's Navigation Collieries in 1889. Finally, the pit was worked by Cory Bros. & Co. Ltd., who owned it until Nationalisation in 1947. Wyndham, a producer of both House and Steam coal, employed 1,332 men by 1918. During 1957 the colliery was linked underground with the nearby Western Colliery. Wyndham/Western closed in 1984. The tips have subsequently been landscaped or removed [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=6897]Wales, Rhonda-Cynon-Taff (Mid Glamorgan; Glamorgan), Coed Ely, Coed-Ely Colliery[/url][/b] [pic id=4843 height=300 float=left]crystals 1,5cm[/pic] [pic id=11996 height=300 float=centre]FOV 3,5cm[/pic] [pic id=14315 height=410 float=left]FOV 0,6cm[/pic] [pic id=355675 height=410 float=centre]2,8x2,5cm[/pic] Possibly the best known of the coalfield millerite locations, Coed Ely Colliery was opened in 1916 by The Welsh Navigation Steam Coal Co. Ltd. By 1938 there were 1,006 men employed. Following reconstruction schemes in the 1950s & 60s, Coed Ely was linked underground and worked jointly with Cwm Colliery at Llantwit Fardre, over 5km to the east By the 1970's the collieries jointly produced 515,000 tons of steam coal a year with a workforce of 1,580 men. Coed Ely Colliery closed in November 1986 and the site has since been landscaped. Also other Collieries in the region provided nice Millerite specimens (for instance the Ferndale Pits) [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=11479]Wales, Merthyr Tydfil (Mid Glamorgan; Glamorgan), Treharris, Deep Navigation Colliery[/url][/b] [pic id=4817 height=300 float=left]Spray 2,7cm[/pic] [pic id=166685 height=300 float=centre]Spray 4,5cm[/pic] Originally named Harris's Navigation after the Harris Navigation Steam Coal Company's main shareholder (who also gave his name to the village of Treharris), shaft sinking began in 1873. At the time of their completion in 1878, the 760 yards deep south shaft was the deepest in the coalfield. By 1896 the colliery was owned by Ocean Coal Co. Ltd and named Deep Navigation, at which time it employed 1,846 men and boys, rising to 2328 men at its peak in 1923. For many years the the pit produced the best quality Welsh steam coal, during the 1980's average annual output reached 375,000 tons . The Colliery produced high quality steam coal which was greatly in demand notably by Cunard Steamlines. Deep Navigation became the sole source of the coal used for the record-breaking "Blue Ribband" trans-Atlantic crossings of both the SS. Mauretania and the SS Lusitania. Deep Navigation closed in 1991, the colliery buildings have been removed and the site extensively landscaped. [Ian Jones 2009] [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=11755]Wales, Rhondda-Cynon-Taff (Mid Glamorgan; Glamorgan), Tylorstown, Ferndale Pits (Blaenllechau Colliery)[/url][/b] [pic id=5332 height=300 float=left]Spray 2,5cm[/pic] [pic id=387447 height=300 float=centre]Spray 2cm[/pic] Heavily overgrown dumps from Ferndale numbers 8 & 9 pits remaining. Sometimes referred to as Tylorstown tip or Llanwonno tip. Historical note: On Friday 8th of November 1867 the whole district of Ferndale was shaken by two consecutive explosions. 178 men and boys perished and a month had nearly past before all their remains had been recovered. Just seventeen months later, on the 10th of June 1869, another explosion occurred at this fated colliery this time killing 53 men and boys. Can you help us with more information about specimens from this locality? [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=11254]Wales, Rhondda-Cynon-Taff (Mid Glamorgan; Glamorgan), Gelli, Gelli (Globe) Colliery[/url][/b] [pic id=4733 height=300 float=left]Spray 2x1,5cm[/pic] [pic id=9754 height=300 float=centre]Main crystal 1,5cm[/pic] Originally sunk in 1870 by Thomas and Griffiths to reach the higher bituminous coal levels, further shafts were sunk to the steam coal levels in 1878. The mine was subsequently owned by Cory Brothers and Co, who held it until Nationalisation in 1947. By 1908 the workforce numbered 777 (steam coal pit) and 128 (house coal pit). The latter pit closed by 1945 and the steam coal pit in 1962. Large but very heavily overgrown tips still remain. [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=4288]Wales, Caerphilly (Gwent, Monmouthshire), Markham, Markham Colliery[/url][/b] [pic id=133148 height=300 float=left]10 cm[/pic] [pic id=63 height=300 float=centre]FOV 6cm[/pic] [b]Millerite from the south Wales Coalfield, United Kingdom[/b] Coalfield millerite occurs as individual needles and sprays, typically 2-3mm generally within cavities in the ironstone, but also occasionally with the associated sandstone. Specimens over 10mm are considerably rarer, although individual crystals and radiating sprays to a maximum of about 50mm have been found. When unaltered, millerite is a bright golden colour although many specimens show a degree of oxidation and are partly coated with, or altered to, a greenish-yellow mineral. Originally thought to be morenosite, work undertaken by The National Museum of Wales failed to confirm it's presence. Subsequent work by The University of Western Sydney has now confirmed the presence of nicklehexahydrite. Well-terminated millerite crystals are extremely rare in the coalfield, as are those having abrupt directional changes. Curved crystals or those twisted into spirals (screw dislocations) are relatively common. Millerite has been found in direct association with all of the ironstone minerals with the exception of marcasite. Millerite, the most well-known mineral from south-east Wales, was recorded from ironstones at Dowlais Ironworks in 1842 by W H Miller, sometime Professor of Mineralogy at Cambridge. Although previously known on the continent and named 'hair pyrites' or 'capillary pyrites', Miller added substantially to knowledge of the mineral and, in recognition, the name millerite was proposed by the German mineralogist Haidinger in 1845. Interestingly, the first record of Welsh millerite considerably predates Miller's description, a specimen of "hair pyrites" in a coalfield ironstone is illustrated in plate 287 (dated 1808), in Volume 3 of James Sowerby's famous series British Mineralogy. Many older specimens in the National Museum of Wales and Natural History Museum (London) collections are labelled Merthyr Tydfil, although millerite is surprisingly rare in the area. Whilst millerite occurred here, the Spotted Vein at Dowlais was given as a location in 1861, it is probable that Merthyr, then the largest town in the area, is simply a generic locality for many early South Wales millerites occurring across the heads of the valleys from Ebbw Vale to Merthyr, and perhaps further afield. [Ian Jones 2009] [b]Mineralogy, geology and mining history of the South Wales coalfield[/b] The south Wales coalfield has a long history of mining for coal and for the associated ironstone, both were important to the overall development and economy of the area, the former until recent times. The coalfield has produced a comprehensive range of minerals. Most famous is millerite, which occurs in world class specimens, the type locality being Dowlais near Merthy Tydfil. The coalfield runs across the counties of Monmouth, Glamorgan, Carmarthen and Pembroke forming, an elongated oval of carboniferous rocks extending from St Bride's Bay in the west to Pontypool in the east, a distance of some 90 miles. Its width varies from a maximum of about 16 miles across the main body of the coalfield in Glamorgan to about 4 miles in the much smaller detached part of the coalfield in Pembrokeshire. Three types of coal occur: anthracite in the west, steam coal in the centre and north and bituminous coal around the southern and eastern rim. Although the coals grade together, they differ in terms of their volatile constituents and carbon content, the former increasing from anthracite to steam coal to bituminous coal, the latter decreasing. In total, 48% of the coalfield produced steam coal, 30% bituminous coal and 22% anthracite. Many of the coalfield minerals, particularly the sulphides, occur in well-crystallised forms within cavities in ironstones found on the coaltips. Although widely distributed, it is possible to draw broad conclusions regarding their occurrence. Mineralisation in the ironstones, particularly sulphide mineralisation, is seen to be greatest in the centre and east of the coalfield where the most volatile-rich coals, the steam and bituminous coals occurred. [Ian Jones 2009] [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=1042]Cornwall, Callington District, Lezant, Greystones Quarry[/url][/b] [pic id=6665 height=400 float=centre]Spray 1,9cm[/pic] A modern operation worked for roadstone, Greystone Quarry is situated on the strike of a lode system worked by several small 19th C lead mines(Greystone silver lead mine, Wh Sophia, North Tamar). The quarry cuts the eastern end of the vein system worked by the latter mine. [b]Millerite United Kingdom [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=49402]England, Co. Durham, North Pennines, Teesdale, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Colberry Mines, Coldberry Gutter[/url][/b] [pic id=219351 height=360 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=18021 height=360 float=centre]Spray 1cm[/pic] Coldberry Gutter is the large hush at head of Hudeshope Beck. Fluorite, quartz, galena and sphalerite mineralisation is similar to that occurring at the adjacent Coldberry Mines complex, with the addition of a suite of minerals including millerite, quartz, siderite, galena sphalerite and calcite that occur within a bed of clay ironstones nodules found in an exposure at the top of the hush. [b]Millerite[/b] [b]USA[/b] [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-31418.html]Illinois, Hancock Co., Hamilton, Grays Quarry[/url][/b] [pic id=295032 height=310 float=left]2,5cm spray[/pic] [pic id=279695 height=310 float=centre]2,8cm spray[/pic] Info needed. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-29897.html]Iowa, Keokuk Co., Ollie, Kaser Quarry[/url][/b] [pic id=49228 height=410 float=left]5.7x4.1cm[/pic] [pic id=47292 height=410 float=centre]3x1,8x1,5cm[/pic] We need someone to tell us about the specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=16152]Kentucky, Lincoln Co., Halls Gap, US 27 roadcut[/url][/b] [pic id=112491 height=370 float=left]4.6x3.9cm[/pic] [pic id=16483 height=370 float=centre]4x2,5x2cm[/pic] [pic id=62287 height=375 float=left]2,5x2,3cm[/pic] [pic id=180034 height=375 float=centre]5,6x4,3cm[/pic] Locality photo: [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-124100.html]1[/url] Halls Gap is about 5 miles south of Stanford on US 27. This site is reopened as of 4/20/03 Hwy 27. Stanford is approx 30 miles west of I-75 at Mt. Vernon. Take Hwy 150 West to Stanford. We need someone to tell us about the specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-4085.html]Pennsylvania, Lancaster Co., Bart Township, Gap, Gap Mine (Gap Nickel Mine)[/url][/b] [pic id=219366 height=340 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=25122 height=340 float=centre]4,5x3cm[/pic] An old nickel mine with millerite as the principal ore mineral. The Gap Nickel Mine was discovered in 1732, and was worked to some extent for copper, but was abandoned due to the small quantities present in the ore. In the early 1850's, it was discovered that the large ore vein contained a considerable quantity of nickel. Operated by the Gap Mining Co. until 1863, When Joseph Wharton, Founder of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, took over ownership and operation of the mine. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=32051]Wisconsin, Milwaukee Co., Milwaukee, Estabrook Park (Bertlett; North Milwaukee; Cementville; Lincoln Park; Capitol Drive; Washington Street Bridge; Humbolt Street Bridge)[/url][/b] [pic id=219374 height=330 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=76710 height=330 float=centre]4.4x3.1cm[/pic] Outcrops of dolostones and old quarries along Milwaukee River. We need someone to tell us about the specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=8108]Indiana, Monroe Co, Harrodsburg, SR 37 Roadcut[/url][/b] [pic id=34143 height=320 float=left]8x4,5x4,5cm[/pic] [pic id=98406 height=320 float=centre]FOV 6,5cm[/pic] Approx 109 km (67 miles) south of Indianapolis and 17 km (10.5 miles) north of Bedford. Just south of Monroe Lake / Harrodsburg exit, north of Bedford. On both sides of road. Geodes occur in the Harrodsburg Limestone, Middle Mississippian age strata. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=5365]Michigan, Huron Co., Pigeon, Wallace Stone Company Quarry (Wallace Quarry)[/url][/b] [pic id=44383 height=280 float=left]2,5x1,9x1,5cm[/pic] [pic id=46999 height=280 float=centre]1,2x1cm[/pic] Excellent article by Chris Stefano about collecting Millerite in Wallace quarry: http://www.stefanominerals.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/thoughtconduit.woa/wa/news?id=460 [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc-4025.html]New York, Jefferson Co., Antwerp, Sterling Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=219364 height=350 float=left]Scale 1 Inch, rule 1cm[/pic] [pic id=376684 height=350 float=centre]Spray 5cm[/pic] We need someone to tell us about specimens from this locality. [b]Millerite USA [url=http://www.mindat.org/loc.php?loc=5964]Nevada, Elko Co., Bootstrap District, Meikle Mine[/url][/b] [pic id=355545 height=470 float=left]Millerite 5cm wide[/pic] [pic id=70744 height=470 float=center]2.6x2.5x1.6cm[/pic] [pic id=355550 height=450 float=left]Millerite 7cm[/pic] [pic id=274450 height=450 float=center]Millerite 3,3cm[/pic] Locality photos: [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-233023.html]1[/url], [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-233026.html]2[/url], [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-233027.html]3[/url], [url=http://www.mindat.org/photo-233015.html]4[/url] Can you help us with information about specimens from this locality? [Harjo Neutkens 2009] Click here to view [b][url=http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-79.html]Best Minerals M[/url][/b], click here to view and here for [url=http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?tab=65][b]Best Minerals A to Z[/b][/url] and here for [url=http://www.mindat.org/mesg-63-159134.html][b]Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles[/b].[/url] http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,130896#msg-130896 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:56:08 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249442#msg-249442 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249442#msg-249442 That's a very nice millerite and should be in the best millerites, but unless you upload it to our database formally and not just as an attachment to a thread post like you did here, it won't be included.]]> Rock Currier Best Minerals M Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:58:50 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249343#msg-249343 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249343#msg-249343 ophiolites scattered in cretaceous sedimentary layers.]]> Andrea Sansoni Best Minerals M Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:01:15 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249330#msg-249330 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249330#msg-249330 Could you add it to the database?

Cheers,

Harjo]]> Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:43:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249325#msg-249325 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249325#msg-249325 BOB HARMAN Best Minerals M Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:33:27 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249315#msg-249315 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,249315#msg-249315 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:58:30 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,207551#msg-207551 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,207551#msg-207551 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:03:55 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,207538#msg-207538 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,207538#msg-207538

© Maggie Wilson

just uploaded - not the best photo on the planet, but a sample of the locality

Knut Eldjarn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Harjo,
>
> You absolutely need to describe the millerites
> from the Saranay locality in the Urals. They are
> some of the best in the world. From a
> mineralogical point of view, the large, bronze
> cleavages of millerite from the Marbridge mine in
> Canada are also quite interesting and showy for
> what they are - but you probably have to have
> insight into ore mineralogy to really appreciate
> those !).
>
> Knut]]> Maggie Wilson Best Minerals M Sun, 26 Dec 2010 18:51:22 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,149669#msg-149669 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,149669#msg-149669 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:03:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,148995#msg-148995 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,148995#msg-148995
just noticed a couple of small errors in the Wales section.

The Coed Ely entry is Mid Glamorgan, not Mis Glamorgan (other Mid Glamorgan entries are OK though).

The second Gelli Colliery picture is incorrectly dimensioned. It is shown as the FOV being 0.4cm, but it quite a bit bigger as the main crystal is itself 1.5cm

regards

ian]]> Ian Jones Best Minerals M Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:44:57 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,140352#msg-140352 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,140352#msg-140352 I'll add it right away!

I wish it were in my collection, but it is not. Casey came into my warehouse shortly after he had dug the specimens and showed me a box full of them. Many had not yet been trimmed or cleaned. He knows I collect micros so I picked up one of the larger specimens, turned it upside down and shook it and when nothing fell out, I demanded, where are my micros and shook it some more. He eventually did get me some very nice micros. He didn't have all that many of them and I knew he was going to have to get big money for the good ones, so I decided to settle for some micros, but it is nice to see a bunch of a nice new find like that.]]> Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:51:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,140199#msg-140199 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,140199#msg-140199
[www.mindat.org]

I also uploaded 8 images of the collecting site in the mine where the millerite was collected.]]> Rock Currier Best Minerals M Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:58:36 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,140019#msg-140019 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,140019#msg-140019 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Sun, 31 May 2009 19:55:03 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,139450#msg-139450 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,139450#msg-139450
The Colliery produced high quality steam coal which was greatly in demand notably by Cunard Steamlines. Deep Navigation became the sole source of the coal used for the record-breaking "Blue Ribband" trans-Atlantic crossings of both the SS. Mauretania and the SS Lusitania.]]> Ian Jones Best Minerals M Wed, 27 May 2009 09:51:34 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,139449#msg-139449 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,139449#msg-139449
just noticed that i missed tons off the output figure8-)]]> Ian Jones Best Minerals M Wed, 27 May 2009 09:42:17 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,139387#msg-139387 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,139387#msg-139387 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Tue, 26 May 2009 22:20:08 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,138512#msg-138512 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,138512#msg-138512
some information on Deep Navigation colliery, feel free to use what you want.

Originally named Harris's Navigation after the Harris Navigation Steam Coal Company's main shareholder (who also gave his name to the village of Treharris), shaft sinking began in 1873. At the time of their completion in 1878, the 760 yards deep south shaft was the deepest in the coalfield.

By 1896 the colliery was owned by Ocean Coal Co. Ltd and named Deep Navigation, at which time it employed 1,846 men and boys, rising to 2328 men at its peak in 1923.

For many years the the pit produced the best quality Welsh steam coal, during the 1980's average annual output reached 375,000.

Deep Navigation closed in 1991, the colliery buildings have been removed and the site extensively landscaped.

cheers

ian]]> Ian Jones Best Minerals M Mon, 18 May 2009 17:44:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136912#msg-136912 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136912#msg-136912 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Wed, 06 May 2009 06:38:51 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136880#msg-136880 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136880#msg-136880 Rob Woodside Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 22:06:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136872#msg-136872 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136872#msg-136872
I just got in some images of the Meilel mine. Mostly locality images but one good millerite image. Ill shortly upload them to Mindat for your consideration.]]> Rock Currier Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 21:24:58 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136860#msg-136860 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136860#msg-136860 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 19:00:43 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136822#msg-136822 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136822#msg-136822 Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 13:11:12 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136818#msg-136818 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136818#msg-136818
That's the one I meant.

"I went to school at Saarbrücken."

Me too.]]> Peter Haas Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 12:05:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136816#msg-136816 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136816#msg-136816
Peter ... the small collection you mentioned: you do not mean the former mineralogical collection of Saarberg opposite to the 'Bergwerksdirektion' in Saarbrücken? .. This one is gone and was relocated to Landsweiler-Reden and not on display at the moment.
I spent quite a couple of hours in this exhibition .... i went to school at Saarbrücken :-).

Haven´t found my Saar millerite until now .. it is somewhere in a box from the time when i moved my collection.

Will also try to get other Saar millerite pictures,

cheers
Roger]]> Roger Lang Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 11:35:57 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136810#msg-136810 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136810#msg-136810 Peter Haas Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 09:56:54 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136807#msg-136807 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136807#msg-136807 I've put Rogers text and the photo in the article (I've made two chapters of it, first the part on the Millerite and second the one on mineralogy, geology and mining history)
I've also put Ian's text about the South Wales coalfield below the specimen photographs rather than before, it's more obvious this way, I also divided it into two chapters, analogue to the layout of Roger article.
Further I added some more photographs.
Have a look and tell me what you think.....

Cheers

Harjo]]> Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Tue, 05 May 2009 09:17:19 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136741#msg-136741 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136741#msg-136741 And now the photographs ;-)
So bald Ich Bilder von Stufen habe werde Ich dein Beitrag einfügen, vielen Dank nochmahl!"

Harjo,

The picture is here: [www.mindat.org]
It actually comes from the French part of the mining area. I have assigned the locality based on the information given in the caption (I grew up in this area).]]> Peter Haas Best Minerals M Mon, 04 May 2009 19:29:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136591#msg-136591 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136591#msg-136591 The millerite article is looking very good. Good work.]]> Rock Currier Best Minerals M Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:52:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136590#msg-136590 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136590#msg-136590 And now the photographs ;-)
So bald Ich Bilder von Stufen habe werde Ich dein Beitrag einfügen, vielen Dank nochmahl!

Grüss

Harjo]]> Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:17:42 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136589#msg-136589 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136589#msg-136589 just finished the Saar coal basin summary for millerite. There may be the need to "polish" the english a bit (no native speaker) and the pictures are still missing (except one). Hope the text is useful, i tried to get close to the structure of Ian´s article but with general historic remarks first.

Here we go :-)

The coal of the Saar coal basin has been mined for a long time with a first reference from the 14th century. The coal seams are of carboniferous age and were formed in an intramontane through and they are of limnic origin (in contrary to the Ruhr coal which is paralic). The seams are hosted by conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones and shales of the Westphalian C and D to the Stephanian C. Their average thickness is approx. 1,7 to 1,8 m.
The area where the coal was mined extends from Faulquemont and Folschviller in the southwest via Merlebach (all in Lorraine, France), to the german side with the Warndt, Völklingen and Saarbrücken to Neunkirchen and Bexbach in the northeast. During the 19th century hundreds of shafts were working and at the end of the century larger mines were established like the sites of Camphausen, Brefeld und Maybach. Due to the technical development the extraction tonnage increased - only interrupted by World War I, the economy crisis in the 1930s and shortly after World War II - to reach a peak of 17.2 million tonnes in 1955. From 1957 the coal crisis - caused by the increasing use of oil and the cheaper imported coal - led to the close-down of numerous mines and to a consolidation of smaller sites to larger combined mines. In
1968 only 5 mines were left: Ensdorf, Warndt/Luisenthal, Göttelborn, Reden and Camphausen. The latter was closed as a discrete mine and consolidated with Reden and Göttelborn to form the "Verbundbergwerk Ost" (combined East mine) in 1995. This mine was equipped with the worldwide highest headframe - and closed in 2000. In 2005 mining at the Warndt/Luisenthal mine ended and after the closing of the privately owned small scale Fischbach mine end of 2008 only one active mine was left: the "Bergwerk Saar"(Saar mine) in Ensdorf which is operated by the Deutsche Steinkohle AG (DSK). Due to mining-induced seismicity resulting in earthquakes the extraction of the Saar mine had to be reduced in 2008 from 15.000 t per day to almost a third. The closure is determined for the year 2012. Over the centuries approx. 1.5 billion tonnes of coal have been extracted.

During active mining quite a lot of mineral specimens were recovered in the Saar coal basin. The sand- and siltstone host rock contains smallscale hydrothermal mineralization in clefts and small veinlets as well as the coal itself locally was mineralized by hydrothermal fluids. Similar to other coal basins also ironstone geodes - consisting of clayey siderite concrections - contained epigenetic mineralization in shrink crevices. The mineralization is quite uniform. Most common non-metallic minerals are carbonates like Siderite, Dolomite, Ankerite and Calcite, also Baryte and Quartz occurred. Sulphides are Pyrite, Marcasite, Sphalerite, Chalcopyrite, more rare Galena and Linnaeite. An overview of the minerals of the Saar region coal mines was given by WILLERT (1914, cited by GUTHÖRL 1963). Most specimens were not very spectacular and can be looked upon as locality specimens but the Millerite samples were outstanding.

The occurrence of Millerite led to the the first scientific research on Saar coal basin minerals by STEININGER (1819). He describes hairlike crystals associated with siderite/ankerite ("Braunspath" ), pyrite and sphalerite. They were found in a newly opened coal mine in the "Friedrichsthal" in 1806". JORDAN (1854, cited by GUTHÖRL 1963) also reported Millerite formed in crevices of sphaerosiderite on siderite crystals. At that time Millerite was known from the Jägersfreude, Dudweiler, Sulzbach, Friedrichsthal and St. Ingbert mines. Also during railway construction Millerite was found. Probably the best specimens were recovered at the Brefeld mine. GUTHÖRL (1963) reports that he obtained Millerite specimens from that mine with needles up to 60 mm lenght from the Hoffman collection for the geological collection of the Saarbrücken mining academy in 1944. They were associated with Ankerite and Chalcopyrite. Unfortunately most of the samples were lost during a bombing in WW II. GROTH (1878) also describes Millerite from the Dechen and Dudweiler mines occurring in needles of more than 1 Zoll (inch) lenght.

The most common association of millerite in the Saar coal basin is with Siderite/Ankerite, Dolomite and Chalcopyrite. Specimens with other sulfide minerals like Galena or Sphalerite are more rare. According to GUTHÖRL Millerite was found in almost all mines of the region except Ensdorf/Griesborn, Viktoria and Velsen mines. As a result of the closure of almost all mines no more finds are to be expected. Around 1980 a few Millerite samples were found at the dumps of the Camphausen mine by the contributor (Roger Lang). They consisted of lustrous sprays of acicular Millerites in Siderite covered vugs in siltstone/shale. As most of the dumps are landscaped or covered today new finds are almost impossible.

The millerite occurrences of the french side of the coal basin were not described by GUTHÖRL. In the early 1980s some millerite specimens from Lorraine were offered at a local mineral show. One sample was acquired by the contributor. It was told to originate from the Simon/Wendel mine between Petite-Rosselle and Forbach near the german-french border. It is a large specimen with Siderite crystals covered partly by hairlike Millerite crystals up to approx. 3 cm lenght, accompanied by small Chalcopyrite crystals. Consequentially also the french part of the basin can be considered to have been an important source of millerite specimens in the region.

Millerite specimens from the Saar coal basin are preserved in the geological collection of the Saarland. The collection is based at Landsweiler-Reden at the former Reden mine site. It is a merge of the geological collection of the Saarland University with the inventory of the geological-mineralogical collection of the Deutsche Steinkohle AG (DSK, the successor of the collection of the mining academy (Bergingenieurschule Saarbrücken), later Geologische Sammlung der Saarbergwerke AG). The collection is not at display at the moment (April 2009). According to GUTHÖRL other specimens were kept at the departments of mineralogy at Berlin, Munich and Heidelberg universities.

References:
Groth, P. (1878): Die Mineraliensammlung der Kaiser-Wilhelms-Universität Strassburg. - Strasbourg.
Guthörl, P. (1963): Die Mineralien des Saarbrücker Steinkohlengebirges, Teil 1. - Bergfreiheit, Vol. 28, No. 6, 213-222.
Helfer, M. (1990): Technik im Saarbergbau - Historische Entwicklung und regionale Wirkung. - Saarbrücken.
Hethler, E. 1947: Die geschichtliche Entwicklung des Saarländischen Steinkohlenbergbaus. - Saarbrücker Bergmannskalender 1947, 45-57. Saarbrücken.
Ruth, K.H. (1973): Von den planlosen Kohlengräbereien zum Steinkohlenbergbau an der Saar. - Saarbrücker Bergmannskalender 1973, S. 64-75 - Saarbrücken.
Ruth, K.H. (1986/1): Stollen und Schächte im Steinkohlenbergbau an der Saar (1). - Saarberg 5/1986, 23-38, Saarbrücken.
Ruth, K.H. (1986/2): Stollen und Schächte im Steinkohlenbergbau an der Saar (2). - Saarberg 8/1986, 39-56, Saarbrücken.
Ruth, K.H. (1987): Stollen und Schächte im Steinkohlenbergbau an der Saar (3). - Saarberg 6/7/1987, 31-54, Saarbrücken.
Steininger, J. (1819): Geognostische Studien am Mittelrheine. - Mainz.


Maybe there will be a contributor for the french lorraine coal basin occurrences as i haven´t found any literature available here. I uploaded a millerite picture to the main locality [www.mindat.org].

Cheers
Roger]]> Roger Lang Best Minerals M Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:30:34 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136588#msg-136588 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,79,130896,136588#msg-136588
What I would like to do with the Ruhrgebiet and the Saarland coalmining areas is something like we did with Wales; Ian's article is prominent as an overview of the area followed by specimens and description of the most prolific mines.
Would that be OK with you?

Cheers

Harjo]]> Harjo Neutkens Best Minerals M Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:00:45 +0000