The Black Pine Mine was an industrial polymetallic deposit hosted in Missoula quartzite and spokane shale. The mine had an operational history older than Montana’s statehood, first discovered in 1882, with a rocky ownership to follow. It changed hands and operations several times before its final shutdown in 2018. Professional specimen collecting only occurred during a short window in the 80s, under contract agreement with Inspiration Copper and Duane Johnson. The site now lies on private state land and is an active DEQ cleanup site.
Complex mineral assemblages were present in the Black Pine. Heavily oxidized veins hosted a vast array of copper, zinc, and iron minerals, among others. Primary metallics were tetrahedrite, pyrite, hubnerite, sphalerite, and galena. Through oxidation, some of the most unique combinations and examples in the world were produced, including 3 type locality species and the largest examples of veszelyite in the world.
This is a small but superb example of iron dominant oxides coating a plate of quartz. Micro crystals of beudantite are present with jarosite, hematite, and heavy goethite. A lesser seen example, as the copper oxides tend to dominate the environment.
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(2.8 × 1.9 × 1.1 in - 7.1 × 4.8 × 2.8 cm) 3.3oz / 93g
ORDERS SHIP MONDAYS
The Black Pine Mine was an industrial polymetallic deposit hosted in Missoula quartzite and spokane shale. The mine had an operational history older than Montana’s statehood, first discovered in 1882, with a rocky ownership to follow. It changed hands and operations several times before its final shutdown in 2018. Professional specimen collecting only occurred during a short window in the 80s, under contract agreement with Inspiration Copper and Duane Johnson. The site now lies on private state land and is an active DEQ cleanup site.
Complex mineral assemblages were present in the Black Pine. Heavily oxidized veins hosted a vast array of copper, zinc, and iron minerals, among others. Primary metallics were tetrahedrite, pyrite, hubnerite, sphalerite, and galena. Through oxidation, some of the most unique combinations and examples in the world were produced, including 3 type locality species and the largest examples of veszelyite in the world.
This is a small but superb example of iron dominant oxides coating a plate of quartz. Micro crystals of beudantite are present with jarosite, hematite, and heavy goethite. A lesser seen example, as the copper oxides tend to dominate the environment.
Thank you so much for viewing! Please message for any further information
(2.8 × 1.9 × 1.1 in - 7.1 × 4.8 × 2.8 cm) 3.3oz / 93g
ORDERS SHIP MONDAYS
