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
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
Overview about the Mulungu mine (Mineracao
with the headquarters on the right and the new lift on the left side.
Terra Branca Ltda.)
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
Going down to 104 meters
belt to bring the rocks to the surface
Conveyor
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
