Pyrite

specimen number:
8311345

location:
Hiawatha Mine, Stambaugh, Iron Co., Michigan, USA

description:
Golden lustrous octahedral crystals of pyrite averaging 0.3 cm in size across the top of a hematite rich matrix. In good condition. Good locality example for the species.

The Hiawatha Mine, located in Iron River within Iron County, Michigan, was a significant producer of iron ore within the Menominee Range. Geologically, the mine exploited the Riverton Iron Formation, where tectonic folding and secondary enrichment created massive bodies of hematite and goethite within Precambrian sedimentary sequences. The ore occurred in deep, complex troughs and was known for its high iron content and relative lack of impurities compared to other regional deposits. Historically, the Hiawatha Mine began operations in the late 1800s and eventually merged with the neighboring Dober and Duff mines to form a large-scale underground complex. The mine was a mainstay of the local economy for decades, reaching depths of over 2000 feet before operations eventually ceased in the mid-20th century. Today, the Hiawatha is remembered as a cornerstone of Michigan's Iron River district, representing the peak of underground iron mining technology and the industrial grit of the Upper Peninsula.

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