Copper (CU0024)

specimen number:
9273207

location:
White Pine Mine, Ontonagon Co., Michigan, USA

description:

Fine crystallized grouping of native copper. Complete all around and in great condition. I believe that at one time this was part of the collection of Lloyd Tate.

The White Pine mine, located near Ontonagon in Ontonagon County, Michigan, is a famous underground copper mine known for producing fine specimens of native copper, native silver, and chalcocite. Geologically, the site represents a massive stratiform copper deposit hosted within the Mesoproterozoic Nonesuch Shale formation. Mineralization occurred when copper-rich hydrothermal fluids migrated upward from the underlying Copper Harbor Conglomerate and precipitated sulfides and metals within the organic-rich, reducing siltstones and shales. Underground commercial mining began on a small scale in the early twentieth century, but large-scale modern operations commenced in 1953 under the Copper Range Company. The mine operated continuously as one of the largest copper producers in the United States, utilizing extensive room-and-pillar extraction methods until its final closure due to economic factors and environmental costs in 1995.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.