Molybdenite
specimen number:
2062184
location:
Otter Lake, Quebec, Canada
description: The Otter Lake area, situated in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality of Quebec, Canada, is a prolific mineralogical region within the Grenville Province. Geologically, the district is defined by complex Precambrian metamorphic rocks, including marble, gneiss, and skarn zones formed by the intrusion of granitic and syenitic pegmatites. These formations are celebrated for producing exceptional specimens of phlogopite mica, large green apatite crystals, and sharp, dark crystals of titanite and scapolite. Historically, mining activity in the Otter Lake area focused primarily on mica and phosphate (apatite), with significant operations occurring from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, particularly between 1890 and 1945. Notable sites like the Yates Mine became famous during the 1950s for radioactive mineral exploration, specifically for thorianite and uranothorite, though commercial success was limited. Today, the area is no longer a major industrial mining hub, but it remains one of Canada's most famous destinations for mineral collectors and geologists due to the remarkable size and quality of the crystals found in its weathered skarn deposits.
A loose bright lustrous foliated crystallized grouping of molybdenite. Good locality example for the species, collected in August, 1999.
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