Michael J Stott's Photo Gallery
VR8-G9WChalcopyrite CuFeS2 , Chalcopyrite (Var: Blister Copper) CuFeS2
Tonglushan Mine, Daye Co., Huangshi, Hubei, ChinaDimensions: 87 mm x 59 mm x 38 mm
For more info: https://www.irocks.com/rare-chalcopyrite-balls-from-daye-china
Mindat.org Photo of the Day - 23rd Jan 2020
F25-5Q1Carbonatecyanotrichite Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12·2H2O , Calcite CaCO3
Qinglong Mine, Dachang Sb ore field, Qinglong County, Qianxinan, Guizhou, ChinaField of View: 46 mm
YFP-Q9RRaspite Pb(WO4)
Broken Hill, Broken Hill district, Yancowinna Co., New South Wales, AustraliaDimensions: 31 mm x 14 mm x 7 mm
83N-314Quartz SiO2 , Malachite Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Red Dome Mine, Mungana, Mareeba Shire, Queensland, AustraliaDimensions: 66 mm x 31 mm x 26 mm
N0X-4GUPyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl
Broken Hill, Broken Hill district, Yancowinna Co., New South Wales, AustraliaDimensions: 50 m x 33 m x 21 m
GXR-5LQChalcopyrite CuFeS2 , Calcite CaCO3 , Fluorite CaF2
Ernest Henry Cu-Au deposit, Cloncurry, Cloncurry Shire, Queensland, AustraliaDimensions: 66 mm x 12 mm x 12 mm
Annotated aerial photo of Khanong Pit
Khanong open pit, Sepon Mine, Vilabouly District, Savannakhet Province, LaosPhoto of Khanong pit taken in January 2018 using a drone and merging over 50 photos. Total strike length of the pit is 2260 meters. The processing plant is just off to the right of the photo. Photo is taken in the dry season, however by the end of the wet season each year, there is significant water stored in the pit which is then treated to neutralize the pH and remove copper and manganese before the water is discharged.
Khanong pit floor after a blast
Khanong open pit, Sepon Mine, Vilabouly District, Savannakhet Province, LaosYou have to get excited when you can see the individual azurite crystals from meters away.
The detonator cord (yellow 'string' is 2.6mm diameter for scale. This photo was taken towards the end of the specimen producing hay-days of Khanong pit, although specimens did trickle out for two years after this photo.
The azurite and malachite was formed through supergene enrichment from a deep sulphide ore body (porphyry hosted) which formed acidic, copper rich groundwater. This groundwater then moved towards the surface and reacted with dolomite rocks which caused the copper to drop out of solution and formed the ore body.
45R-57EOrthoclase (Var: Rainbow Lattice Sunstone) K(AlSi3O8) , Magnetite Fe2+Fe3+2O4 , Orthoclase K(AlSi3O8)
Rainbow Caterpillar mine, Kong Bore Area, Mt Riddock Station, Harts Range, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, AustraliaDimensions: 30 mm x 17 mm x 14 mm
"Rainbow Lattice Sunstone."
Polished crystal section.
Inclusions of magnetite in orthoclase (R Bottrill)
NFM-ULYOrthoclase K(AlSi3O8)
Beechworth, Indigo Shire, Victoria, AustraliaDimensions: 78 mm x 75 mm x 53 mm
Calsbad Orthoclase twin