Calcite (Spheres) (Specimen #300008)

Mineral(s): Calcite, Siderite, Pyrolusite 

Location: Hogarth pit, Steep Rock Iron Mine, Freeborn Township, Rainy River District, Ontario 

Size: 4.6 x 3.3 x 1.9 cm 

Description: Many years ago (1985-1987) the Hogarth pit at Steep Rock Iron Mine produced these fine calcite spheres on a matrix of micro pyrolusite and siderite. Today they are under several hundred feet of water in the flooded pit lake. This specimen is from Ray Bernatchez’s personal collection and was self-collected during his tenure as the mine geologist at Steep Rock Iron Mines. Steep Rock Iron Mines are long closed, but during the mining period of the 1950’s and 60’s the mines produced world class specimens of manganite, hematite, geothite, quartz, siderite and these unusual calcite spheres.  The ore body was discovered in 1938 and over 110 million yards of silt, gravel and rock were removed to expose the ore body.  The development of the mine was an unparalleled engineering feat at its time. The mine is flooded and specimens like this are unattainable except from unique old collections. A recent visit to the Caland Pit reaffirmed that there will be no new collected specimens emerging from the flooded locale.