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DAL'NEGORSK
MINING AREA
History,Geology,Minerals
The mines of the region of Dal'Negorsk,Russia are located about 300Km.north-west of Vladivostok,35 km.from the Japan Sea,in an area of taiga and mixed forest.See maps from Mineralogical Record,vol.32,n°1
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From these mines more than 150 different mineral species have been reported,and fantastic specimens of Calcite,Danburite,Fluorite,Ilvaite,Quartz,Pyrrhotite were and are found.
Since their discovery in 1872 these mines have been exploited for the richness in zinc,lead and for the unusual high level of Boron (production of Boric Acid).Nowadays 3 underground mines are active (Second Sovietskiy,Verchniy,Nikolaevskiy)for the extraction of zinc,lead,silver,cadmium,indium,bismuth and one open pit mine (Bor Pit or Quarry)for boron. Other four mines were active in the past,but are presently closed (Danburitiy,First Sovietskiy,Sentyabr'skiy,Sadoviy).
See Map from same reference.
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The geology of this region is quite complex,because of the relationship of subduction and intrusion of the Pacific Rim.
In presence of magmatic complexes rich in alkali,and some intrusions with high Boron and Titanium level, there was the formation of the Boron deposits(Datolite,Hedembergite,Wollastonite,Andradite) on one side,and the sulfide deposits(Sphalerite-Galena) on other. This Skarn is very unique and it has been related to the other famous deposits of Trepca(Kosovo) and El Potosi(Mexico)
Since the opening of Russian Market to Western dealers and collectors,many very important minerals from Dal'negorsk have been shown.
Following is a description of the main minerals that came to the market.
Adamite. Green radiating aggregates up to 2 cm.Brenner workings
Apophillite. Clear,white,green,pink crystals up to 6 cm.As crust coating of Quartz,Datolite,Calcite.(Bor Quarry,Ver.,Sad. Mines)
Arsenopyrite. Common in crystals up to 2-3 cm. with Galena or Pyrrhotite (Ver.,Nikol,Sec.Sov. mines)
Calcite. A common mineral that has been found in fantastic specimens up to 40 cm.(rhombohedrons) and 60.cm.(scalenohedrons).Commonly transparents,colorless,white,brown,black or manganoan pink,very requested.(Bor,Ver.Sec.Sov. mines)
Chalcopyrite. Up to 6 cm. as yellow tetragonal disphenoids and twinned crystals,associated with pyrrothite,galena,sphalerite.(All mines)
Datolite. In some cavities colorless,white,blue,green,yellow crystals,up to 15 cm.Elongated prismatic,tabular habit.Yellow for Chromium inclusions.(Bor Quarry).
Diopside. A common mineral of primary skarn.Up to 10 cm.green crystals.
Fluorite. Top mineral from Dal'negorsk.It has been found in green cubic crystals up to 40 cm.Also as green octahedrons and optical quality,colorless water clear cubes.Rarely blue and violet crystals.(First,Sec.Sov,Nikol. mines).
Hedenbergite. As Diopside a common skarn mineral.Also in spray flattened crystals up to 12 cm.(Nikol.,Bor,First Sov.mines).
Ilvaite. Great black prismatic crystals up to 10 cm.Both in sulfide ore and in boron rich skarn.Common are pseudomorphs after ilvaite of calcite,siderite,pyrite,etc..(All mines).
ManganoAxinite. Another common Skarn component.Bladed,lustrous brown crystals up to 10 cm.(Bor,Sent.,Ver.,Sec.Sov. mines).
Pyrite. Cubic crystals up to 10 cm.(Ver.,Nikol.mines)
Quartz. In hydrothermal pockets a very common mineral that has given beautiful specimens.For example amethist crystals up to 15 cm. and smoky up to 5 cm.The best quality is the red one,iron oxide inclusions,of which we have seen beautiful and super expensive specimens.(Sec.Sov.)
Pyrrothite. In hexagonal plates or parallel aggregates,also in columnar aggregates up to 25 cm.(Nikol.mine)
Sphalerite. Common in tetrahedral crystals up to 16 cm.Intermixed with other sulphides.(Nikol.,Ver.,First sov.mine)
by Beppe