Manganite/Geothite (Specimen #100202)

Mineral(s): Manganite/Geothite 

Location: Errington Pit, Steep Rock Iron Mine, Atikokan, Schwenger Twp. Rainy River, Ontario, Canada  

Size: 13.0 x 10.0 x 7.5 cm 

Provenance: Ray Bernatchez Collection  

Description:  A one-of-a-kind, jet black, lustrous Manganite specimen from the famous Steep Rock Iron Mine Errington Pit. This specimen has both botryoidal and stalactitic form in unusual ‘layers’ that also have herringbone-like structures and flow lines. There is no damage and the specimen ‘shines’ – a true classic. 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 and siderite.  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 long closed and specimens like this are unattainable except from unique old collections. A recent visit to the Errington Pit reaffirmed that there will be no new collected specimens emerging from the flooded locale.