Copper

specimen number:
8311308

location:
Central Mine, Keweenaw Co., Michigan, USA

description:

Wonderful old classic from Michigan, this a loose well defined and architectural crystal grouping of native copper. This is in super condition all around.

The Central Mine, located in Keweenaw County, Michigan, was one of the most successful and longest-lived native copper mines on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Geologically, the mine was unique for exploiting a fissure vein deposit rather than the more common basaltic or conglomerate lodes. These fissure veins, which cut vertically across the stratigraphic layers of the Portage Lake Volcanics, contained massive masses of native copper, some weighing several hundred tons, alongside exceptional crystallized specimens of copper, silver, and datolite. Historically, the Central Mining Company was organized in 1854 after the discovery of ancient mining pits at the site. Commercial production began in 1856 and continued remarkably steadily for decades, providing a livelihood for a thriving community of Cornish miners. The mine eventually reached a depth of over 2800 feet before the depletion of profitable ore bodies led to its closure in 1898. Today, the Central Mine site is a key part of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, featuring well-preserved ruins and a historic church that serves as a memorial to the region's rich mining heritage.

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