Provenite

Quiruvilca

AreaUnknownDraft data

8.0111° S, 78.3219° W · Exact (< 100 m)

Enargite and Pyrite from La Libertad, Peru, with photos of specimens from this locality.

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Minerals found here

EnargitePyrite

Enargite at Quiruvilca

Exceptional crystals from the Mina Luz Angelica at Quiruvilca are cited by the Handbook of Mineralogy among the best for the species.

Stacked, terminated enargite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine.
Stacked, terminated enargite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Cluster of gunmetal-gray enargite crystals with blunt terminations from Quiruvilca.
Cluster of gunmetal-gray enargite crystals with blunt terminations from Quiruvilca.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Large specimen with thick enargite crystals to about 2 cm from Quiruvilca.
Large specimen with thick enargite crystals to about 2 cm from Quiruvilca.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Another view of the large Quiruvilca enargite specimen with stout crystals.
Another view of the large Quiruvilca enargite specimen with stout crystals.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Formula
Cu₃AsS₄
Morphology
Sharp, stacked, terminated crystals with blunt terminations, singly and in clusters
Typical size
Crystals typically about 1.3 cm, stout crystals up to about 2 cm
Color / luster
Gunmetal gray with strong metallic luster
Availability
Scarce

Sources: SRC-642 SRC-655

About Enargite →

Pyrite at Quiruvilca

Sharp pyrite crystals in complex arsenic-rich polymetallic associations

Cluster of lustrous golden pyrite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine, Peru.
Cluster of lustrous golden pyrite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine, Peru.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Cabinet-sized pyrite cluster from the Quiruvilca Mine, La Libertad, Peru.
Cabinet-sized pyrite cluster from the Quiruvilca Mine, La Libertad, Peru.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Striated, mirror-bright pyrite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine, Peru.
Striated, mirror-bright pyrite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine, Peru.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Formula
FeS₂
Morphology
Octahedra; cubes; crystalline aggregates
Color / luster
Bright brassy metallic
Associated minerals
Quartzorpimentenargitehutchinsonitesphaleritegalenabaritemarcasite
Availability
Scarce
History
Historic mine with large-scale production from 1924; operations ceased in 2018

Sources: SRC-011

About Pyrite →

Geology of the locality

Setting
Mesothermal to epithermal polymetallic vein mineralization with concentric Cu, Pb-Zn, and Sb zones
Type
Hydrothermal
Host rock
Andesitic and basaltic volcanic rocks
Region
La Libertad
Country
Peru

Historic Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-Au mine. Operations ceased in 2018; later ownership changes and restart plans make current operating status uncertain.

Sources: SRC-011

Sources

  1. SRC-011 · Database
    Quiruvilca Mine, La Libertad, PeruMindat.org · Mindat.org
  2. SRC-642 · Book
    Handbook of Mineralogy - EnargiteAnthony, J.W.; Bideaux, R.A.; Bladh, K.W.; Nichols, M.C. · 2005 · Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America
  3. SRC-655 · Website
    File:Enargite-51200.jpg; File:Enargite-49569.jpg (Wikimedia Commons)Robert M. Lavinsky · Wikimedia Commons

Draft data from the Provenite workbook. Check entries against the cited sources before relying on them. Photos are open-licence images from Wikimedia Commons; the author and licence are given with each photo.