FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Antonio Da Silveira]

" SANTIÑO" mine, situated in the area of Catalan, ARTIGAS-URUGUAY, is a famous place for the production of the highest quality amethysts which are worldwide reference.

Here we have found a few days ago, a giant amethyst geode that it´s being extracted and maybe will be an exponent of the qualities of the Uruguayan production.

The works of extraction are done in a good rhythm as the attendance advice that this wonderful specimen merit, but we believe it will take about 90 days to finish the extraction. Throughout the process we will be publishing in this forum pictures and news as advances the items.

We encourage you to participate with us in this fascinating adventure with your opinions and commentaries that we will be able to answer in the extent of our potential.

[Jordi Fabre]

Antonio,

Welcome to this Forum, and thanks a lot to make the effort to publish your news about this find.

I'm sure that our visitors will enjoy your articles and images, for me it is very exciting to follow on line a so great work.

Jordi

[Antonio Da Silveira]

Dear readers, continuing with the exposition:

The photographic sequence I´m publishing today, inform about the evolution of the works of the extraction of our amethyst.

The strong encouragement that involves its possession has led the holders such a way that the works done beyond the conventional schedules have been efficient and is evisioned its extraction in a shorter time.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

Inside near the tunnel ; the ones who appear in the picture are waiting to occur blasting in the bottom of the same. Of course that the blasting is so controlled and have limited intensity.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

Technical reviews the inside of the geode after the blasting and check that it wasn´t damage as they preview.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

We see the inside of the Geode where despite the accumuled dust can be seen part of
its formations interiors, although is good say the picture was not archieved convey but a fraction of its excellence.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

We see formation of calcites in the ceiling of the geode, approximately of about 20 cm to 25 cm of length. It do not show other formations from the window, which allows only to
observe certain angles; there parts are parties which are not visible nor still for the camera.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

External view with the marks of the "barramina" that is use to cut the basalt in successive drilling as looks.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

External view of the geode and its just released parts.
The follow step now are the works in the down side that we call "Zapata", and it´s so hard because the geode will be practically sespended in the air, under pinned by strong logs and wedges.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

The work that you are watching is very artisanal, to achieve a extraction with out harming the specimen.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

We will continue providing information and sharing it trascendent moment with you.

Regards

Antonio

[Jordi Fabre]

Antonio,

What is the geological formation where you find the geodes?

Can you describe us how do you find the geodes and if they have other related minerals in addition to the Amethyst?

Jordi

[Antonio Da Silveira]

Hi Jordi,

In the area mining are old and had been linked with a macro unit morfo structural regionally defined by spills of basaltic lavas and sandstones associated linked to the tectonic evolution of the Parana basin during the Cretaceous, referred to generically as the Basalts of Parana, whatever their denomination training locally.

The agates and amethyst are in cavities of these basaltic rocks that in our country are grouped into one geological unit called Formation of Arapey.

This unit is composed of several “coladas” or overlapping lava spills, interleaved with sand and with a mean age of 130 million years.

Basically geodes rates that are within casting are:

-Geodes with a crust of chalcedony that develops toward the center of amethyst crystals of free ends, where the best color is concentrated.
-Geodes with a crust of chalcedony and centre with colorless quartz filling the entire cavity.
-Geodes of massive chalcedony and / or concentric banded chalcedony (agates) that can make a central zone with quartz crystals.
-Other minerals amethysts, agates, jaspers quartz, opal and cornalinas.

Regards,

Antonio

[Antonio Da Silveira]

Continuing,
With the work for the release of this piece, we con add that gradually are emerging the real dimensious hidden in the basalt.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

Mr. Sanchis, the technician, axaming work.

[Antonio Da Silveira]

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

[Antonio Da Silveira]

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 ....

[Joan R.]

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 !!!

[robynahawk]

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

Robyn Hawk

[Joan R.]

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!!!