Chalcopyrite with Sphalerite, Quartz

specimen number:
9892147

location:
Casapalca Mine, Chicla, Huarochiri, Lima, Peru

description:
A matrix of crystallized bright lustrous black sphalerite is hosting many semi lustrous but large crystals of chalcopyrite measuring to 2.5 cm in size. In great condition, this is accented throughout with small needlelike sparkling crystals of quartz.

The Casapalca Mine, located in the Chicla District of Huarochiri Province within the Lima Department of Peru, is a famous hydrothermal vein deposit situated high in the Andes Mountains. Geologically, the deposit consists of complex polymetallic veins hosted in Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks, formed by magmatic-hydrothermal solutions that deposited rich sulfide ores containing lead, zinc, copper, and silver. Mining activity at Casapalca dates back to the Spanish colonial era, but modern industrial extraction expanded significantly in the late 19th and 20th centuries, turning it into one of Peru's primary metal producers. Mineral collectors and museums prize specimens from Casapalca due to its exceptional crystal groups, particularly lustrous tetrahedrite, bournonite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, and pink rhodochrosite.

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