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Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA

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The Minerva No. 1 mine exploited the largest orebody in the Illinois - Kentucky fluorspar district (and in the U.S.), some 20,000 feet long.
The orebody was discovered in 1940; the 640 foot shaft was sunk in 1942; and production began the following year. Production continued until 1976. It resumed in 1989 and was closed in 1996.

The orebody was tilted gently to the northeast, with sphalerite located nearer to the surface (southwest) and fluorite in the deeper portions. In the mid 1990's, at 1,300 feet underground, this was the deepest mine in the district. The See Min. Rec. v. 28, no. 1, p. 11, 1997 for more information.

In addition to fluorite, this mine produced the finest benstonite, and world-class specimens of strontianite, witherite and baryte.

Includes the famous "Rosiclare level."



References:
- Rossman, G. R. and Squires, R. L. (1974) The occurence of alstonite at Cave in Rock, Illinois. Mineralogical Record 5: 266-269.
- Mineralogical Record (1997): 28(1): 11.
- Rocks & Minerals: 63: 211 & 359.





Map Reference: 37°28'N , 88°10'W

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Mineral List:
  		•  Alstonite
    BaCa(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    Habit: sharpely terminated pseudo-hexagonal pyramids up to 2 mm in length
    Colour: colorless to grey, transparent
    Description: Lining cavities in veins of waxy benstonite, finegrained calcite and witherite crystals.
    Reference: [Rossman, G. R. and Squires, R. L. (1974) The occurence of alstonite at Cave in Rock, Illinois. Mineralogical Record 5: 266-269; Rocks & Minerals: 63: 214.; ]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © Alan Goldstein
  		•  Azurite
    Cu
     
    3
    		[OH|CO
     
    3
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 359.]
  		•  Baryte
    BaSO
     
    4
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 214-216.]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © 2002 John H. Betts
  		•  Benstonite
    (Ba,Sr)
     
    6
    		(Ca,Mn)
     
    6
    		Mg(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    13
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 217.]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky
  		•  'Bitumen'
    Reference: []
  		•  Calcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    Reference: [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © Russell G. Rizzo
  		•  Celestine
    SrSO
     
    4
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Chalcopyrite
    CuFeS
     
    2
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 221.; Econ Geol (1994) 89:288-306]
  		•  Fluorite
    CaF
     
    2
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 359.; Econ Geol (1994) 89:288-306]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © 2007, Jesse Fisher
  		•  Galena
    PbS
    Reference: [Econ Geol (1994) 89:288-306]
  		•  Malachite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|CO
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 359.]
  		•  Paralstonite (TL)
    BaCa(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    Type Locality: Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    Reference: [A. C. Roberts (1979) Paralstonite, a new mineral from the Minerva no. 1 mine, Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. Geol. Surv. Can. Pap.,79-lC, 99-100.]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © Alan Goldstein
  		•  Sphalerite
    (Zn,Fe
    2+
     
    		)S
    Reference: [U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.; Econ Geol (1994) 89:288-306]
  		•  Strontianite
    SrCO
     
    3
    Reference: [Rocks & Minerals: 63: 221.]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © Alan Goldstein
  		•  Witherite
    BaCO
     
    3
    Habit: Complex tapered prismatic
    Colour: White, off-white.
    Fluorescence: Bright creamy-white (LW & SW UV)
    Description: World class specimens, including single crystals to 4 inches (10 cm) long.
    Reference: [Mineralogical Record: 5: 266-269; Rocks & Minerals: 63: 221.]
    Site Photo
    Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Cave-in-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
    © Rob Lavinsky


    15 entries listed. 14 valid minerals. 1 type locality (valid mineral).

    The above list contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database!
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Jobs in Illinois, USA 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 29th Oct 2009 04:17:02