FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[David]

I really like the idea that there are mines around the world kept active by the mineral collecting hobby, especially considering that they usually exist because of the passion put into them by those who operate them and those collecting the minerals. Plus, I do believe that extra care is being invested in extracting and preparing the minerals. However, it is obvious that this is a risky business, as you never know what you get out of hard work. Therefore it makes sense there are not so many such mines.
So I wonder how many such mines are operational out there and what they produce? And what do you think about them? I wish there were more.
So I only know about a few mines active for mineral specimens only or mostly, please add to those.
1. Adelaide Mine, Dundas, Tasmania, Australia
2. Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain
3. Sweet Home Mine, Colorado, USA (not sure, is it still active at this time?)
4. Maybe some mines in the Bou Azzer mining district in Morrocco (really not sure about this).

And another question, do you think are there other closed mines that might be brought up to life for mineral specimens extraction?
Thank you!

[Josele]

David, with very few exceptions you can add all the hundreds of single locations in Afghanistan and Pakistan listed in Mindat, most of them working on pegmatite minerals but also for metamorphic and alpine species.

And don't forget specimen mines from Brazil (as Pederneira Mine), US (as Tourmaline Queen Mine) and many, many more all around the world. I think this will be a long list...

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

[Roy Starkey]

Apologies Jordi - I thought that by not putting the full URL it would be OK, but provide sufficient information for others to follow-up.

I have made a note now of the correct formatting procedure.

Best wishes to all in these difficult times.

Roy

[Dehne]

In Australia in addition to The Adelaide Mine, there is Red Lead mine, and the Malbunka Copper Mine (source of azurite suns) in Central Australia. There are numerous other tenements that do not have specific mine names but are mined specifically for mineral specimens.

[Matt_Zukowski]

Hasn't Ian Bruce been involved in some recent specimen-only mining at Tsumeb?

[Bob Harman]

In the US, the Detroit Portal portion of the Sweet Home Mine has recently produced some specimens. These were seen at the recent Denver and Tucson shows.

The Southern Illinois Fluorite District is not completely extinct. The Hastie Quarry, at the South end of the Harris Creek District intersects old mine adits. Specimen collectors with a mining contract occasionally find a few specimens. These could be found at the recent Tucson show.

The Viburnum Trend mining district in Missouri continues to produce very collectible specimens as does the Linwood Mine in Iowa.

The list goes on and on. Many US mines and quarries continue to produce mineral specimens after their quarrying and ore mining days are past. Mineral specimen miners have contracts with the mines and quarries so specimens continue to trickle out.
Bob

[Jesse Fisher]

Ian Bruce was involved in an attempt to reopen Tsumeb for specimens a number of years ago. From what I understand, a lot of money was spent and very little found.

A couple years ago he took over the Rogerley project from us (18 years of a very expensive hobby was enough for yours truly), and is having some luck on the Rogerley cross vein, which he has named the "Diana Marie Mine." Given the recently "enhanced" regulatory issues that he has to now deal with, I am sure this is costing a small fortune to do this. The same could be said for Joe Dorris with his amazonite recovery project in Colorado. When you see an extra "0" on the specimen prices, this is likely why.

[alfredo]

In Bolivia there are several small mines worked exclusively for specimens, like the Tomokoni vivianite mine, the El Desierto sulphur mine, etc.