This mine holds the famous occurrence of the banded layers, concretions and stalactites of "Inca Rose" rhodochrosite, for which it is presently being mined. Originally mined by the Argentine army for its metals content, not the rhodochrosite. Epithermal mineralization related to Miocene-Pliocene volcanism hosted in Paleozoic granite. Principal veins are the Capillitas, Carmelitas, La Rosario, Ortiz, Restauradora, and 25 de Mayo veins. This is the most species-rich locality in Argentina.
Refs:
- Marquez-Zavalia, F. , Craig, J.R. and Solberg, T.N. (1999). "Duranusite, product of realgar alteration, mina Capillitas, Argentina." Canadian Mineralogist, 37(5), 1255-1259.
- Paar, W., Roberts, A.C., Topa, D., Zagler, G., Berlepsch, P., Armbruster, Th. (2004): Putzite, (Cu4.7 Ag3.3)GeS6, a new mineral species from Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina: description and crystal structure. Canadian Mineralogist: 42: 1757-1769.
- MARQUEZ-ZAVALIA, Maria Florencia & CRAIG James R. (2004): Tellurium and precious-metal ore minerals at Mina Capillitas, Northwestern Argentina. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie Monatshefte 2004, 176-192.
- http://www.cricyt.edu.ar/libro_ianigla/249%20marquez.pdf
- http://www.art-petrus.com.ar/RHODO.htm
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Map Reference: 27°20'44"S , 66°22'51"W
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