Bournonite

specimen number:
9302357

location:
Georg Mine, Willroth, Altenkirchen-Flammersfeld, Altenkirchen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

description:

Metallic semi lustrous crystals of bournonite measuring to 1.7 cm in size across the top of a thin bournonite matrix. Slight damage present, still a good rich example for this old German classic.

The Georg Mine, located near Willroth in the Altenkirchen district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, was a major historical mining operation within the Siegerland ore district. Mining activity in the surrounding area dates back centuries, with formal deep underground operations expanding significantly over time until the mine finally closed on March 31, 1965. Geologically, the deposit is situated along the Horhauser vein system (Horhauser Gangzug), where hydrothermal mineral veins cut through Devonian sedimentary host rocks. Mineralogically, the mine was primarily worked for iron ore, specifically massive amounts of siderite accompanied by significant manganese content, but the veins also carried rich sulfide mineralization containing lead, copper, and zinc. It became internationally renowned among mineral collectors for producing exceptional specimens of crystallized siderite associated with metallic sulfosalts and sulfides like bournonite, tetrahedrite, and chalcopyrite.

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