SSEF Fieldtrip to Paraiba,

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 (SSEF No. 95907) Geography and geological setting of Paraiba

World map with Brazil indicated in red

State map of Brazil with and Paraiba in the East Geography and geological setting of Paraiba

Geographical map of Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte and 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