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Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain

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(Minas de Rio Tinto, Nerva, Huelva, Andalucia, España)

A massive sulphide (VMS) deposit located on the Rio Tinto river. In the past, it was mainly worked for pyrite; presently the gossan is worked for gold. Mining seems to have begun during the Phoenician period. Thus, this mine is perhaps the oldest major mine in the world.

NOTES:
- Before the township Minas de Riotinto was formed in 1841, the Rio Tinto mines belonged to Nerva township.
- Some pyrites sold as coming from here actually come from the Ambasaguas or Navajun mines in La Rioja, Spain.



References:
- Mineralogical Record 27(4), 275-285.
- Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R. (1998): The volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.
- Nehlig, P., Cassard, D., and Marcoux, E. (1998): Geometry and genesis of feeder zones of massive sulphide deposits: constraints from the Rio Tinto ore deposit (Spain). Mineralium Deposita 33, 137-149.
- Calvo, M., Gómez, F., and y Viñals, J. (1999): Mineralogía de la Faja Pirítica Ibérica. Bocamina 4, 50-86.




Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities


Mineral List:
  		•  Alloclasite
    (Co
     
    0.65
    		Fe
     
    0.35
    		)AsS - CoAsS
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Alunogen
    Al
     
    2
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		·17H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Anglesite
    PbSO
     
    4
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Argentojarosite
    AgFe
    3+
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Arsenopyrite
    FeAsS - (Fe
     
    0.90
    		Co
     
    0.10
    		)AsS
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Azurite
    Cu
     
    3
    		[OH|CO
     
    3
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Baryte
    BaSO
     
    4
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © J.L.Carrizo
  		•  Beudantite
    PbFe
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Bismuth
    Bi
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Bismuthinite
    Bi
     
    2
    		S
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Bornite
    Cu
     
    5
    		FeS
     
    4
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Botryogen
    MgFe
    3+
     
    		[OH|(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Martins da Pedra
  		•  Bournonite
    PbCuSbS
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Braunite
    Mn
    2+
     
    		Mn
    3+
    6
    		[O
     
    8
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Brochantite
    Cu
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 543.]
  		•  Calcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Geoffrey Krasnov
  		•  Cassiterite
    SnO
     
    2
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Cerussite
    PbCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Chalcanthite
    CuSO
     
    4
    		·5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © 2002 John H. Betts
  		•  Chalcocite
    Cu
     
    2
    		S
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Chalcopyrite
    CuFeS
     
    2
    Reference: [Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R.(1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.]
  		•  Chamosite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    5
    		Al[(OH)
     
    8
    		|AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    		]
    Reference: [Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R.(1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.]
  		•  Chlorargyrite
    AgCl
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  'Chlorite Group'
    Reference: [Nehlig, P., Cassard, D., and Marcoux, E. (1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 137-149.]
  		•  Cinnabar
    HgS
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Cobaltite
    CoAsS
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Copiapite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    4
    		[OH|(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 20H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Martins da Pedra
  		•  Copper
    Cu
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Jose L.Carrizo
  		•  Coquimbite
    Fe
     
    2
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		·9H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Martins da Pedra
  		•  Cornetite
    Cu
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Covellite
    CuS
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © fabreminerals.com
  		•  Cubanite
    CuFe
     
    2
    		S
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Cuprite
    Cu
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Jose L.Carrizo
  		•  Dolomite
    CaMg(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Epsomite
    MgSO
     
    4
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Ferricopiapite
    Fe
     
    5
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    6
    		O(OH)·20H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Freibergite
    (Ag
     
    4+2x
    		Cu
     
    2-2x
    		)[(Cu, Ag)
     
    4
    		(Fe, Zn)
     
    2
    		]Sb
     
    4
    		S
     
    12
    		S
     
    1-x
    		 (0 < x < 1)
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Galena
    PbS
    Reference: [Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R.(1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.]
  		•  Goethite
    α-Fe
    3+
     
    		O(OH)
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Jose L.Carrizo
  		•  Gold
    Au
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Goslarite
    ZnSO
     
    4
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Gratonite
    Pb
     
    9
    		As
     
    4
    		S
     
    15
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © 2005 M. Kampf
  		•  Gypsum
    Ca[SO
     
    4
    		] · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Halotrichite
    FeAl
     
    2
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		·22H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Hematite
    Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Hexahydrite
    MgSO
     
    4
    		·6H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinMag 67(2):263-278]
  		•  Jarosite
    KFe
    3+
     
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Kornelite
    Fe
     
    2
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Lepidocrocite
    γ-Fe
    3+
     
    		O(OH)
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Limonite
    FeO(OH)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Martins da Pedra
  		•  Magnetite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		O
     
    4
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Malachite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|CO
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Jose L.Carrizo
  		•  Mallardite
    MnSO
     
    4
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Manganite
    Mn
    3+
     
    		O(OH)
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Melanterite
    FeSO
     
    4
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Meneghinite
    Pb
     
    13
    		CuSb
     
    7
    		S
     
    24
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Metavoltine
    Na
     
    6
    		K
     
    2
    		FeFe
     
    6
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    12
    		O
     
    2
    		·18H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Muscovite
    KAl
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AlSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    		]
    Reference: [Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R.(1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.]
  		•  Nuffieldite
    Pb
     
    2
    		Cu(Pb,Bi)Bi
     
    2
    		S
     
    7
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Parabutlerite
    Fe
    3+
     
    		[OH|SO
     
    4
    		] · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © luigi chiappino
  		•  Perroudite
    Hg
     
    5
    		Ag
     
    4
    		S
     
    5
    		I
     
    2
    		Cl
     
    2
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Plumbojarosite
    PbFe
    3+
    6
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
     
    4
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  'Psilomelane'
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Pyrite
    FeS
     
    2
    Reference: [Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R.(1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © MauroMM - 2003
  		•  Pyrolusite
    MnO
     
    2
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Pyromorphite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Pyrrhotite
    Fe
     
    7
    		S
     
    8
    		, (-4M), also given as Fe
     
    1-x
    		S (x = 0 - 0.2)
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Rhodochrosite
    MnCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Rhodonite
    MnSiO
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Rhomboclase
    (H
     
    5
    		O
     
    2
    		)Fe
    3+
     
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [MinMag 67(2):263-278]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Martins da Pedra
  		•  Römerite
    Fe
    2+
     
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		·14H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Martins da Pedra
  		•  Rozenite
    FeSO
     
    4
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Siderite
    FeCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Siderotil
    FeSO
     
    4
    		·5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
  		•  Skutterudite
    (Co,Fe,Ni)As
     
    2-3
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Sphalerite
    (Zn,Fe
    2+
     
    		)S
    Reference: [Leistel, J.M., Marcoux, E., Thiéblemont, D., Quesada, C., Sánchez, A., Almodóvar, G.R., Pascual, E., and Sáez, R.(1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 2-30.]
  		•  Stannite
    Cu
     
    2
    		(Fe,Zn)SnS
     
    4
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Sulphur
    S
     
    8
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © C. Menor 2007
  		•  Szomolnokite
    FeSO
     
    4
    		·H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Tennantite
    (Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
     
    12
    		As
     
    4
    		S
     
    13
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Tenorite
    CuO
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Tephroite
    Mn
    2+
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.]
  		•  Tetrahedrite
    (Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
     
    12
    		Sb
     
    4
    		S
     
    13
    Reference: [MinRec 27:284]
  		•  Turgite
    Reference: []
  		•  Voltaite
    K
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
    5
    		Fe
    3+
    3
    		Al[SO
     
    4
    		]
     
    12
    		 · 18H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86; Calvo, M. et al.(1999). Bocamina (4), 50-86]
    Site Photo
    Rio Tinto Mines, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
    © Elmar Lackner


    86 entries listed. 82 valid minerals.

    Localities in this Region:
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Huelva
        • Minas de Riotinto
          • Rio Tinto Mines

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