2.1" Galena, Chalcopyrite & Sphalerite Association - Bulgaria

Galena, Chalcopyrite & Sphalerite Association - Bulgaria #41729

This specimen contains mainly large chalcopyrite and galena crystals, with a small formation of sphalerite jutting from the side of the mineral cluster. What could be considered the bottom of the specimen, is covered in an aggregation of calcite.

The Madan ore fields are located in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, near its border with Greece. This long stretch of mountain range in southeastern Europe is home to a variety of incredible minerals: sulfides in particular show a great variety here. The sulfides pyrite and arsenopyrite, both mined consistently from the Rhodopes, sometimes also contain gold ore. However, they also typically contain relatively high amounts of cyanide. Because of this, these sulfides must undergo an additional cyanide extraction process before the gold can be extracted and used.

Other sulfides like galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite can be found throughout this mountain range in all shapes and sizes.

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