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Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode
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Antonio Da Silveira




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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2007 13:04    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant amethyst geode  

Works are concentrated in the "Zapata" as we said earlier, bottom or base of the piece.


Giant Amethyst-002.jpg
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Giant Amethyst-002.jpg


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Antonio Da Silveira




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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2007 13:13    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant amethyst geode  

End of a hard day´s work at the mine and with the assurance that the work will meet step by step as scheduled.

Continue ....



Giant Amethyst-004.jpg
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Giant Amethyst-004.jpg


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Joan R.




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PostPosted: Apr 01, 2008 17:26    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant amethyst geode  

With the permission of the owners of the quarry where the giant amethyst geode was mined we publish the texts and photos of their last efforts to bring to the sunlight this wonderful "monster".


After a brief holiday we restart activities in the Mine as it was planned. We began with the work of digging in "Monster", removing the basalt, in order to let more space. It is estimated that his current weight is 15,000 kg. Mauro and Jose Luis were the sculptors of the company.

After a long period, everything is scheduled for Monday March 10th to begin transporting geode outside the tunnel. We are all very anxious, Cato and Omar have worked hard to design and construct the means of transport that will be used to move it.
There, at the Santiño Mine we take images of long-awaited moment, and share it with all of you.

We started to work to bring to light the large geode, every care is poor.
The big digger machine "Mingula" worked all morning to fill the way with basalt between the base of the geode and floor, and also the route to the exterior of the tunnel to allow sliding of the "sled" made in the workshop of the Company.

Basically the operation was extract the heavy piece of amethyst inside the tunnel about 120 meters length. To lift the geode they used hydraulic jacks to be able to introduce steel bars under the heavy piece in order to make easy their travel to the steel structure built for drag abroad.

Finally we have the geode outside the mine.

The truck arrived with the geode to our headquarter where received handmade treatment by a group of officials: sculptors, cutters, polishers etc..
Net Weight ......... Kg. 14,750 !!!



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - Preparing the Geode.jpg
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Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - Preparing the Geode.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - Sculptors and the geode.jpg
 Description:
Preparing the geode to be loaded
 Viewed:  161254 Time(s)

Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - Sculptors and the geode.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - The first step on the sled.jpg
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Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - The first step on the sled.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - The strong sled.jpg
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Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - The strong sled.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay.jpg
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Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - The digger machine working inside the tunnel.jpg
 Description:
Ready to be delivered to the sunlight
 Viewed:  161158 Time(s)

Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - The digger machine working inside the tunnel.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - A little bit more.jpg
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Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - A little bit more.jpg



Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - Everybody is happy.jpg
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Amethyst - Artigas - Uruguay - Everybody is happy.jpg



Amatista - Artigas - Uruguay - Ready for transport.jpg
 Description:
On the truck it was bigger than expected
 Viewed:  161754 Time(s)

Amatista - Artigas - Uruguay - Ready for transport.jpg



Amatista - Artigas - Uruguay - The Geode Truck.jpg
 Description:
The 14500Kg geode on the truck
 Viewed:  161206 Time(s)

Amatista - Artigas - Uruguay - The Geode Truck.jpg


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robynahawk




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PostPosted: Apr 01, 2008 17:55    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant amethyst geode  

Fabulous write up! bring on more! I am always up for some cyber-rockhounding!!!!

Robyn Hawk
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Joan R.




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PostPosted: Apr 02, 2008 04:36    Post subject: More photos of the giant amethyst geode works  

Hi Robyn,

Really incredible geode works. Herewith attached more photos from the Geode works. We want to thank to Antonio da Silveira and friends, just to let us enjoy this adventure.

Enjoy them!!!



geoda_gigante_007_972.jpg
 Description:
Outside, the buldozer is conditioned to be able to smoothly enter into the tunnel.
 Viewed:  161140 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_007_972.jpg



amatista_gigante_06_165.jpg
 Description:
After a long day of work, it was found that the basalt that covers the geode is extremely hard, geode close to the ceiling and suspended in the caliper more difficult than expected, as it is completely detached from the walls of the tunnel is determined the work suspension on security grounds, leading to the next stage.
In the workshops of the company we are working with Cato and Omar "designing" the means of transport to carry the "Monster "outside.
 Viewed:  161136 Time(s)

amatista_gigante_06_165.jpg



amatista_gigante_04_214.jpg
 Description:
 Viewed:  161097 Time(s)

amatista_gigante_04_214.jpg



amatista_gigante_01_153.jpg
 Description:
We need light to see inside the vug and to work in the area.
 Viewed:  161083 Time(s)

amatista_gigante_01_153.jpg



amatista_gigante_03_191.jpg
 Description:
Taking a look inside the vug.
 Viewed:  161144 Time(s)

amatista_gigante_03_191.jpg



dinama_05_426.jpg
 Description:
Sr. Rodolfo Dos Santos, the best minning technician.
 Viewed:  161080 Time(s)

dinama_05_426.jpg



dinama_03_155.jpg
 Description:
Licenciado Pirelly, taking a view of the Geode. They enjoy a lot the finding and approve of work systems.
 Viewed:  161076 Time(s)

dinama_03_155.jpg



grupo_de_medio_ambiente_199.jpg
 Description:
Some of these photographs where you can see a group of visitors, some of them are officers of the company but most are specialized officers of the state what prompted by the interest which resulted in finding went to the mine to meet their natural interest and what is related to their specialties. Some are officials, geologists and engineers of the National Environment Historical and Cultural Heritage.
 Viewed:  161132 Time(s)

grupo_de_medio_ambiente_199.jpg



dinama_09_164.jpg
 Description:
 Viewed:  161123 Time(s)

dinama_09_164.jpg



dinama_01_740.jpg
 Description:
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dinama_01_740.jpg



amatista_santio_02_306.jpg
 Description:
We have a free part supported by wooden wedges.
 Viewed:  161083 Time(s)

amatista_santio_02_306.jpg



amatista_santio_414.jpg
 Description:
Mina Santiño-ARTIGAS-URUGUAY
 Viewed:  161207 Time(s)

amatista_santio_414.jpg



amatista_santio_01_106.jpg
 Description:
SERGIO MEDEIROS, our expert in blasting. The blastingman of Santiño
 Viewed:  161237 Time(s)

amatista_santio_01_106.jpg



amatista_santio_02_313.jpg
 Description:
Continuing with the extraction works of this monumental Amethyst Geode, in our "Santiño” Mine. Photographs of the Geode ready to be free from its basaltic rock base.
 Viewed:  161174 Time(s)

amatista_santio_02_313.jpg



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Joan R.




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PostPosted: Apr 02, 2008 04:50    Post subject: Last photos of the giant amethyst geode works  

More photos of the last phase of the extraction of the "monster" and their transport to the store.


geoda_gigante_016_747.jpg
 Description:
Dragging the geode.
 Viewed:  81364 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_016_747.jpg



geoda_gigante_018_561.jpg
 Description:
Only few meters more!!!
 Viewed:  81335 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_018_561.jpg



geoda_gigante_024_117.jpg
 Description:
OUTSIDE!!!
 Viewed:  81403 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_024_117.jpg



geoda_gigante_040_413.jpg
 Description:
Antonio da Silveira celebrating the final extraction works...now it is necessary to transport it.
 Viewed:  81302 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_040_413.jpg



geoda_gigante_044_121.jpg
 Description:
All of our heavy equipment are so large that this operation must use much imagination to mobilize without compromising its integrity
 Viewed:  81298 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_044_121.jpg



geoda_gigante_046_146.jpg
 Description:
 Viewed:  81350 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_046_146.jpg



geoda_gigante_051_271.jpg
 Description:
The Geode on the top of Santiño hill.
 Viewed:  81347 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_051_271.jpg



geoda_gigante_048_188.jpg
 Description:
The geode is 100% safe!!!
 Viewed:  81357 Time(s)

geoda_gigante_048_188.jpg



llegadageoda_188.jpg
 Description:
The truck, the Geode ready.
 Viewed:  81335 Time(s)

llegadageoda_188.jpg



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Joan R.




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PostPosted: Apr 28, 2008 05:49    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant amethyst geode  

After a comment from a Spanish forum's partner about the possible use of geological radar detection technologies, Antonio da Silveira confirmed that geologists from the Mining and Geology National Department of Uruguay had been visiting the region where they would like to use this technique.

In Antonio own words: -We are waiting anxiously as it will be a big step for our mining

Photos of the current Geode in its final stage:



Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_054.jpg
 Description:
The Giant Geode.
 Viewed:  81185 Time(s)

Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_054.jpg



Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_058.jpg
 Description:
Final cleaning work.
 Viewed:  81176 Time(s)

Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_058.jpg



Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_103.jpg
 Description:
Excellent Amethyst quality A.
 Viewed:  81198 Time(s)

Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_103.jpg



Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_104.jpg
 Description:
Light crossing the big Amethyst vug.
 Viewed:  81145 Time(s)

Giant_Geode_from_Artigas_Uruguay_104.jpg



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Antonio Da Silveira




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PostPosted: Jul 16, 2008 17:19    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant amethyst geode  

" FINISHED WORK "


Best Regards

Antonio



Giant Geode -02.JPG
 Description:
Santiño Mine - Artigas, Uruguay
 Viewed:  80780 Time(s)

Giant Geode -02.JPG



Giant Geode -01.JPG
 Description:
Santiño Mine - Artigas, Uruguay
 Viewed:  80790 Time(s)

Giant Geode -01.JPG



Giant Geode -03.JPG
 Description:
Santiño Mine- Artigas, Uruguay
 Viewed:  80741 Time(s)

Giant Geode -03.JPG


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Goldfinger




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PostPosted: Oct 22, 2010 16:46    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

Can someone provide pictures of the saw used to cut these geodes? I have never seen such huge geodes, much less seeing how they are cut.

Thanks

Steve
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Antonio Da Silveira




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PostPosted: Oct 22, 2010 19:29    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

Dear Steve,

Here see you can the saw used to cut these big geodes.
https://picasaweb.google.com/stonesmines/OCTUBRE2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMrSg9G72d-i5AE#5531024263890152546
(link normalized by FMF)

Antonio
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Jordi Fabre
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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2010 04:20    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

Is something wrong in your link Antonio, it seems don't have images....
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Goldfinger




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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2010 06:03    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

Antonio-

I can't see the pictures in your links either.

Steve
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Antonio Da Silveira




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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2010 10:16    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

https://picasaweb.google.com/stonesmines/OCTUBRE2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMrSg9G72d-i5AE#5531024263890152546
(link normalized by FMF)
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Jordi Fabre
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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2010 10:16    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

Gneissware found the reason of the bad function of the link (upper and lower letters) and, kindly, sent to me the right link. It is:
https://picasaweb.google.com/stonesmines/OCTUBRE2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMrSg9G72d-i5AE#5531024263890152546

I already corrected too in the upper post from Antonio.

Also: Antonio, someone requested a question to you in the Spanish Forum, probably you don't saw it -> https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=46719#46719
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Jordi Fabre
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PostPosted: Oct 23, 2010 10:18    Post subject: Re: Join us to dig a giant Amethyst geode  

Funny, we crossed messages! ;-)
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