SSEF Fieldtrip to Paraiba, Brazil
Dr. Hao Wang Sebastian Hänsel Alexander Klumb
Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF Table of contents
• Geography and geological setting of Paraiba
• Different mining sites • Mulungu Mine (MTB) • Mina da Batalha • Alto dos Quintos • Small scale mines
• Further impressions
Paraiba Tourmaline (SSEF No. 95907) Geography and geological setting of Paraiba
World map with Brazil indicated in red
State map of Brazil with Rio grande do Norte and Paraiba in the East Geography and geological setting of Paraiba
Geographical map of Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco Geography and geological setting of Paraiba
Geographical location of Paraiba-Tourmaline mines Geological map of the area around Parelhas
Generalized regional geological map modified from Jaguaribe SE (2000) The Mulungu mine
Overview about the Mulungu mine (Mineracao Terra Branca Ltda.) with the headquarters on the right and the new lift on the left side. The Mulungu mine The Mulungu mine
First impressions from inside the mine The Mulungu mine The Mulungu mine
Comb-textured dravite (black crystals) at the border of the pegmatite The Mulungu mine
Conveyor belt to bring the rocks to the surface
Going down to 104 meters The Mulungu mine
Sorting small melee sized stones and „new products“ The Mulungu mine
Impressive samples shown by MTB Mina da Batalha
Overview of the mining area on Morro Alto near San Jose da Batalha Mina da Batalha
This simplified sketch map shows the locations of the pegmatite dikes referred to as “lines” 1 through 4 (5 and 6 are not shown) on Morro Alto. Also shown are property boundaries between different mining companies. Both primary (pegmatite) and secondary (alluvial/eluvial) deposits are being worked. Modified from mine map commissioned by Heitor Barbosa, January 2000. Mina da Batalha
Tourmaline samples in a variety of colours from the „Mina da Batalha“ Alto dos Quintos
Gate to the „Alto dos Quintos“ mine, also known as the „Wild mine“ Alto dos Quintos
The Alto dos Quintos mine, 9 km south of Parelhas, has been explored for cuprian elbaites for several years. Nowadays the mine is flooded and does not produce gemstones anymore. Serra Branca Serra Branca
Green and blue Tourmaline samples from the small scale mine „Serra Branca“ Smaller „new mines“ Further impressions Further impressions Further impressions Thank you for your attention