Naica Mine

Naica Mine
Selenite crystals from Naica mine. Scale unknown.
Green fluorite framed by white calcite, Naica Mine, mined in the 1980s. Size: 5.5 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm.
Sphalerite and galena ore specimen from the Naica mine. Size: 4.7 x 3.6 x 2.6 cm.

The Naica Mine of the Mexican state of Chihuahua is a working mine that is best known for its extraordinary selenite crystals.[1] Located in Naica in the municipality of Saucillo, the Naica Mine, a lead, zinc and silver mine operated by Industrias Peñoles, is Mexico's largest lead producer. [2] Caverns discovered during mining operations contain crystals of selenite (gypsum) as large as 4 feet (1.2 m) in diameter and 50 feet (15 m) long.

Contents

Cave of the Crystals

Main article: Cave of the Crystals

The Cave of Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) is a cave approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine. The chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found.[3][4] The selenite crystals were formed by hydrothermal fluids emanating from the magma chambers below. The cavern was discovered while the miners were drilling through the Naica fault, which they were worried would flood the mine.

The Cave of Swords

The Cave of Swords is another chamber in the Naica Mine, also containing gypsum crystals but each only about a meter long.[4]

References

  1. ^ García-Ruiz, Juan Manuel, 2007, Formation of natural gypsum megacrystals in Naica, Mexico, Geology, 35(4): p. 327 doi:10.1130/G23393A.1
  2. ^ "Naica: largest lead producing mine in Mexico"
  3. ^ National Geographic, 2008. Cavern of Crystal Giants
  4. ^ a b National Geographic, 2007. Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved

External links


Coordinates: 27°51′3″N 105°29′47″W / 27.85083°N 105.49639°W / 27.85083; -105.49639


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