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Sphalerite, Pyrite, Galena

Name: Sphalerite, Pyrite, Galena
SKU: 32890-PT
Availability: OutOfStock

32890-PT Category: _Archives –specimens pending sale or deletion

Black Angel Mine, Marmorilik

Greenland

Dimensions: 6.3x5.2x3.7 cm

Price: CA

Fine grained mass of sphalerite with pyrite and galena from the Black Angel Mine in Greenland. Dr. Tarassoff acquired this specimen as a gift from A. Hitzelberger of Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec, 1974.

The Black Angel Mine, located in Marmorilik within the Uummannaq Fjord of northwestern Greenland, began as a marble quarry in the 1920s, producing high-grade marble comparable to Italy’s Carrara marble. In 1936, a young Swedish boy found a piece of sphalerite/galena ore near the mine, which went unnoticed until the 1960s when a Danish geologist identified its significance. By the 1970s, mining operations for zinc and lead commenced, accessing the ore 700 meters up a vertical cliff known as the Black Angel. The mine was in operation until around 1990, later managed by Boliden Mining. The region's geology, featuring metamorphosed dolomite and fossilized stromatolites, added scientific value. Several attempts were made to reopen the mine, most notably by Black Angel Mining Ltd. and Angel Mining, but economic factors led to their closures. Despite its inactivity, an estimated 10-20 years of ore reserves remain, though no current operations are in place.*

*https://www.abc.se/~m8827/tgreen/engel.html

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This specimen comes from the collection of Dr. Peter Tarassoff, a prominent figure in mineralogy, particularly known for his work at Mont Saint-Hilaire (MSH). His diligent collecting and examination efforts have led him to be the first to identify at least 35 species and discover 12 new species, not only at MSH but also at other alkaline localities. Dubbed the "Dean" of Mont Saint-Hilaire collectors, Peter was honoured with the naming of the new species petarasite in 1980. He has authored or co-authored numerous mineralogical articles and has been a member of the Mineralogical Association of Canada since 1964 and the Mineralogical Society of America for over 30 years. Additionally, Peter has volunteered at the Redpath Museum for the past 21 years. In recognition of his significant contributions to mineralogy, Peter was awarded the 2017 Pinch Medal by the Mineralogical Association of Canada.

Peter's dedication to systematic collecting, curating his collection, and maintaining an archive of detailed historical and scientific information has greatly benefited the mineral sciences community both in Canada and globally. All specimens from this collection come with the original P. Tarassoff collection label.

Note: All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). International customers are charged in CAD, exchange rate is calculated automatically by your bank/paypal upon checkout.

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