Latitude: 46°10'2"N
Longitude: 3°51'42"E
Mine des Rats ou mine du Crozet-La Pacaudière
Ancient lead and copper mine, worked during the 1870's up to 80 m depth. The ore was rich but sparse and only 700 tons were extracted. Indeed, the mineralization is disseminated in an enclave of devonian andesito-basaltic tuffs and siltstones (like
Chizeuil to the north) slightly metamorphosed by granitic intrusions around. The mine operated a small siliceous vein that contained the highest concentration of ore. Lead was found mainly in the eastern side of the vein and copper rather in the western side. Primary sulphides are almost completely altered up to 70 m depth, first in an oxydation zone (chrysocolla, malachite, azurite, cerussite...) then in a cementation zone (native copper and silver).
Dumps (with some slags) still remain around the Saint-Antoine shaft, besides the road leading from Le Crozet to the railway station. Located about 1.5 km SW of La Pacaudière, in the extreme northwest of the Loire department.
Mineral List
49 entries listed. 48 valid minerals.
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References
- Vernay, R. (1997): Le Crozet (Loire, France). Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, no. 1, 9-22
- Poulain, P. (1996): "Slag minerals from the old mine "La Pacaudière", Loire, France." International Association of Collectors of Slag Minerals, 6(2), 1-4.
- Périchaud, J.-J. (1985): Les Minéraux d'Auvergne, Vol. 1, Clermont-Ferrand.
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