SSEF Fieldtrip to Paraiba, Brazil
Dr. Hao Wang Sebastian Hänsel Alexander Klumb Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF
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)
World map with Brazil indicated in red
Geography and geological setting of Paraiba
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 JaguaribeSE (2000)
The Mulungu mine
the headquarters on the right and the new lift on the left side.
Overview about the Mulungu mine
(Mineracao Terra Branca Ltda.) with
The Mulungu mine
First impressions from inside the mine
The Mulungu mine
The Mulungu mine
The Mulungu mine
Comb-textured dravite (black crystals) at the border of the pegmatite
Going down to 104 meters
The Mulungu mine
Conveyor belt to bring the rocks to the surface
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 HeitorBarbosa, 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
