Barite

specimen number:
2341295

location:
Irhoud Mine, Youssoufia, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco

description:
Tan colored crystals of barite to 1.0 cm in height coming aesthetically off matrix. The crystals are lustrous and in good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Jan Erik Larsen.

The Irhoud Mine, situated at Jbel Irhoud in the Youssoufia Province of Morocco, is set within Paleozoic massif host rocks primarily composed of Middle Cambrian limestone, shale, and sandstone. Hydrothermal activity and fluid circulation along structural fault systems led to the precipitation of dense barite mineralization as vein fillings, limestone replacements, and karst deposits. Commercial extraction of barite began in the mid-twentieth century, establishing the locality as a major industrial producer. During operations in 1961, miners uncovered ancient cave sediments containing hominin fossils, bringing the site international scientific fame for yielding some of the oldest known early human remains along with Middle Stone Age stone tools. In addition to its industrial ore production and paleoanthropological significance, the site is known among mineral collectors for producing well-crystallized white, gray, and reddish-brown tabular barite specimens.

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