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Altermark talc mine, Altermark area, Rana, Nordland, Norway

Anthophyllite
Altermark talc mine, Altermark area, Rana, Nordland, Norway

Photo: Jorge M. Alves
Altermark Talk gruve, Altermark, Rana kommune, Nordland fylke, Norge

Altermark talc mine, located about 20 km west of Mo i Rana, the center of the municipality of Rana, is about 800m in length going from NE to SW. It is operated in 5 different levels (status in 2000). The mine is driven on talc zones in the Annabergan ultramafite belonging to the Rödingsfjället Nappe Complex of the Norwegian Caledonides.
The central body consisting of serpentinite stands out as a very narrow and barren cliff in a valley. The mineralization is zoned with un-altered ultramafic rocks in the centre (dunite, pyroxenite and rodingite)surrounded by a serpentinite(mainly antigorite). The talc has been formed by SiO 2 enriched hydrothermal action on the outskirts of the serpentinite, forming a talc/carbonate rock that is mined for talc. The main mineralization is in the contact area between the serpintinite and the surronding rocks, and two different assemblages are described: 1) actinolite/chlorite/biotite/mica shist and 2) actinolite/chlorite-epidote/epidote/ marble or amphibolite. in this transition zone, a 0-1m with pure talc may be found.

Between the mine and the old dump pile is another outcrop where it is possible to study the weathered surface of the serpentinite. It is called "elephant skin", which is a very good description of how it looks.

Mineral List

Actinolite
var: Smaragdite
Almandine
'Amphibole Group'
Anthophyllite
Biotite
Calcite
Chlorapatite
'Chlorite Group'
Dolomite
Dravite
'Hornblende'
Magnesite
Magnetite
Muscovite
Muscovite
var: Fuchsite

'Olivine
var: Peridot'

Quartz
Talc


19 entries listed. 12 valid minerals.

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References

- Birtel, S. (2002): Fluid-rock interaction on alpine- type ultramafic rocks from the Norwegian Caledonides. Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Geowissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg i.Br.

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Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2012. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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