Arsenopyrite

specimen number:
2102267

location:
Stratoni, Kassandra, Aristotelis, Chalkidiki, Central Macedonia, Greece

description:
Blocky metallic lustrous crystals of arsenopyrite to 0.4 cm in size covering most of the top of matrix. In good condition. Good locality example for the species.

The Stratoni mining area, located on the Chalkidiki Peninsula in northern Greece, is a vital part of the Kassandra mining district known for its significant lead-zinc-silver deposits. Geologically, the region is situated within the Serbo-Macedonian Massif and features carbonate replacement deposits and vein systems where hydrothermal fluids mineralized the marble and gneiss host rocks along the major Stratoni-Varvara fault zone. These ores are rich in galena, sphalerite, and pyrite, and the district is mineralogically famous for producing exceptional specimens of crystallized rhodochrosite and various sulfide minerals. Historically, mining in the area dates back to antiquity, with evidence of ancient Greek and Roman silver production, but modern industrial operations began in the late 19th century under the Kassandra Mining Company. Throughout the 20th century, ownership shifted among various entities, including the Hellenic Company of Chemical Products and Fertilizers, until the current operations under Hellas Gold (a subsidiary of Eldorado Gold). Despite periods of suspension due to economic and environmental challenges in the early 2000s, Stratoni remains an active industrial site, primarily focused on the extraction and processing of lead and zinc concentrates from the Madem Lakkos and Mavres Petres deposits.

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