Monticellite skarn

Specimen Summary

Monticellite is a mineral of the olivine group. Due to the fact that Ca and Mg atoms are ordered in different positions in the molecule and there is very limited Ca replacement of calcium, Monticellite is considered a mineral. Monticellite has a orthorhombic crystal system. Monticellite forms a series with kirchsteinite (CaFe(SiO4)).

Specimen Data

 

The information listed below relates to the current holding location or collection that the sample is from, and whether the item is viewable at that location or is part of a private collection. Coordinates are given as guides, and we remind you that collecting specimens from these locations is not allowed. Caution is advised visiting such sites and Below BC assumes no responsibility for any injuries or trespassing charges that may occur as a result of the viewer entering these sites.

Collection Details

Original Collection:

British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS)

Sub Collection:

-

Collection ID:

MOE1

Virtual Museum ID:

19-BCGS-MOE1

Accessibility:

Date Added to VM:

2019-05-07

Location Information

Sample Origin:

Headwaters of Klehini River, B.C.

Specific Site:

Maid of Erin - past underground producer

UTM Easting:

410361

UTM Northing:

6604657

Datum:

08 (NAD 83)

Coordinate Accuracy:

Specimen Details

VM Category:

Rock

Primary Features:

Monticellite skarn

Primary Mineral Formula:

Ca(Mg,Fe)SiO4

Primary Category:

silicate

Secondary Features:

Advanced Geological Information

 

The following section provides geological data relating to the specimen or the site it was collected from, when available. Information has been obtained from various sources including private and government datasets but may not be up to date. Any geological time periods or ages listed often relate to the primary geology of the area, and may not be the actual date of an event such as mineral formation.

Geological Formation:

-

Geological Period:

Devonian-Upper Triassic

Stratigraphic Age:

419.2 - 145.0 Ma

Geological Belt:

Insular

Geological Terrane:

Alexander

Minfile ID:

114P 007

Minfile Link:

https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/summary.aspx?minfilno=114P%20%20007

Site Details:

The Maid of Erin underground past producer is located at the headwaters of the Klehini River.

Skarn mineralization occurs in Devonian-Upper Triassic sediments which have been intruded by Oligocene quartz diorite stocks and gabbro and feldspar porphyry dykes and sills. The sediment package, which is locally hornfelsed, dips northeast at low to moderate angles, and contains quartzite, argillite, and carbonate units. Irregular skarn lenses with disseminated to massive sulphides and magnetite occur near the top of a marble unit. Mineralization is mainly associated with yellowish green andradite and monticellite skarn. Monticellite-carbonate, zoisite-andradite, diopside and wollastonite-calcite skarns are also mineralized. The principal sulphides are bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and wittichenite.

Intermittent production from 1911 to 1956, totalled 3,285 tonnes mined, resulting in 1,486,599 grams per tonne silver, 342 grams per tonne gold and 243,631 kilograms copper.

Additional Images