Ferberite

specimen number:
2102245

location:
Panasqueira Mines, Covilha, Castelo Branco, Portugal

description:
A loose cluster of lustrous bladed ferberite crystals. In good condition. The backside is mostly coated with crystallized siderite.

The Panasqueira Mines, located in the Beira Baixa province of central Portugal, represent one of the largest and most significant tungsten deposits in the world. Geologically, the site is a classic example of a hydrothermal vein system associated with a hidden granitic intrusion, where a dense network of horizontal or flat-lying quartz veins cuts through Precambrian-aged metasedimentary schists and shales. These veins are renowned for their incredible mineral diversity and the size of their crystals, most notably the tungsten ore ferberite, which occurs as large, sharp, jet-black metallic blades often associated with arsenopyrite and fluorite. Historically, the mines have been in nearly continuous operation since their discovery in 1886, with formal production beginning around 1896 under British ownership. The facility saw massive expansion during the World Wars to meet the global demand for tungsten and has remained a major producer through the 20th and 21st centuries, currently operated by Almonty Industries. Today, Panasqueira is not only a vital industrial hub but also a premier locality for mineralogists, prized for producing some of the finest ferberite specimens ever recovered from a hydrothermal environment.

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