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Virtuous Lady Mine, Buckland Monachorum, West Devon, Devon, England, UKi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Virtuous Lady Mine | Mine |
| Buckland Monachorum | Civil Parish |
| West Devon | Borough |
| Devon | County |
| England | Constituent Country |
| UK | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
50° 30' 25'' North , 4° 9' 12'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
UK National Grid Reference:
SX473698
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Buckland Monachorum | 779 (2018) | 2.1km |
| Horrabridge | 3,728 (2018) | 3.8km |
| Bere Alston | 2,164 (2018) | 3.8km |
| Calstock | 790 (2017) | 3.9km |
| Gunnislake | 4,044 (2017) | 4.6km |
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
| Club | Location | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| British Micromount Society, Devon and Cornwall Branch Meetings | Liskeard, Cornwall | 23km |
An old mine that worked on copper, tin and iron ores.
Located within the Dartmoor National Park.
If you approach this site down the track from Buckland you pass over the leat adit, which runs for 50 or so feet through the spur of the hill. Entering from the south about 10 feet in there is a vein of fine shales with black goethite widely distributed in it.
One of the main adits to the mine is located under the house at the riverside which used to belong to the mine captain. The local folklore has it that there is a trap door in the floor of the house which gives access to the workings. It is certainly true that from inside the workings you can clearly hear the dog barking in the property above.
The site was once famed for the siderite crystals with curved faces.
Brief Site History
Despite claims that Virtuous Lady Mine has origins in the Elizabethan period (Harris 1967, 60; Hamilton Jenkin 1974, 47), there is no definite evidence for this. The first explicit documentation is from Kahlmeter in 1724 (Brooke 2001, 13) who states only that the mine was established by that date. The mine was depicted on Donn’s map of Devonshire, published 1765 (Ravenhill 1965) but details of the mine’s 18th century fortunes are not known. By 1807 Lysons (1822) claims it had ceased to work and was still disused by 1822. Brooke claims the mine was again in work by 1825 and a succession of companies worked it between then and 1879, when it was finally closed (BI, Buckland Monachorum). From about 1850 the mine was, for a period, worked in conjunction with Wheal Bedford on the north side of the river (AMP R80B).
Location
The remains of the mine are dispersed over a moderately large area (centred SX 4730 6980) on the south side of the River Tavy where it makes an acute turn to the west of Double Waters, forming a peninsula. Much of the earlier evidence appears to be at the western end of the site, at the foot of a craggy outcrop by Tavy Cottage. The mine falls within the border of Dartmoor National Park.
Despite claims that Virtuous Lady Mine has origins in the Elizabethan period (Harris 1967, 60; Hamilton Jenkin 1974, 47), there is no definite evidence for this. The first explicit documentation is from Kahlmeter in 1724 (Brooke 2001, 13) who states only that the mine was established by that date. The mine was depicted on Donn’s map of Devonshire, published 1765 (Ravenhill 1965) but details of the mine’s 18th century fortunes are not known. By 1807 Lysons (1822) claims it had ceased to work and was still disused by 1822. Brooke claims the mine was again in work by 1825 and a succession of companies worked it between then and 1879, when it was finally closed (BI, Buckland Monachorum). From about 1850 the mine was, for a period, worked in conjunction with Wheal Bedford on the north side of the river (AMP R80B).
Location
The remains of the mine are dispersed over a moderately large area (centred SX 4730 6980) on the south side of the River Tavy where it makes an acute turn to the west of Double Waters, forming a peninsula. Much of the earlier evidence appears to be at the western end of the site, at the foot of a craggy outcrop by Tavy Cottage. The mine falls within the border of Dartmoor National Park.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.Mineral List
18 valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Anatase Formula: TiO2 |
| ⓘ 'Apatite' Formula: Ca5(PO4)3A |
| ⓘ Arsenopyrite Formula: FeAsS Habit: mostly massive (powdery) with some cubes Colour: dull grey Description: Heated in a closed tube this gives copious sulphur fumes, sufficient to condense and form liquid drops. The arsenic given off is consequently black (tested Oct 2004) |
| ⓘ Brochantite Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| ⓘ Brookite Formula: TiO2 References: |
| ⓘ Cassiterite Formula: SnO2 References: |
| ⓘ Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS2 References: |
| ⓘ Childrenite ? Formula: Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O Description: Specimens in the collection of the British Museum that are labelled as coming from Virtuous Lady Mine have been shown to be really from George and Charlotte Mine. Tiny childrenite crystals were identified however on a "Lady's Slipper" pseudomorph that probably came from Virtuous Lady Mine. While the occurrence of childrenite at this locality is likely, it still has to be confirmed (Braithwaite and Cooper, 1982). |
| ⓘ 'Chlorite Group' |
| ⓘ Covellite Formula: CuS References: |
| ⓘ Cyanotrichite ? Formula: Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| ⓘ Dolomite Formula: CaMg(CO3)2 Habit: Crusts of epitaxial-stacked and twinned equidimensional rhombohedra. Occasional modification by negative rhombohedron. Colour: White - usually with yellow, iridescent coating Description: The mineral is found lining voids in vuggy dump material.
Crystals to ~2mm, epitaxial stacks of rhombohedra, some twinning allowing the crystal masses to conform with the matrix surface.
Associated with:
Lollingite, Arsenopyrite, Pyrite, Quartz, Siderite.
Matrix:
Quartz in brecciated killas (slate).
A.Rowan Analytical Ref: A20090101.1 References: |
| ⓘ Fluorite Formula: CaF2 |
| ⓘ Goethite Formula: Fe3+O(OH) |
| ⓘ Gypsum Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O Habit: Acicular and bladed tabular crystals to ~8mm
Some stepped growth on acicular crystals. Colour: Colourless, transparent. Description: The mineral is found in a single void in vuggy dump material.
Crystals to ~8mm in divergent clusters on dolomite rhombohedra.
Stepped growth of acicular crystals typical of gypsum (var. Selenite)
Associated with:
Dolomite, Löllingite, Arsenopyrite, Pyrite, Quartz, Siderite.
Matrix:
Quartz in brecciated killas (slate).
A.Rowan Analytical Ref: A20090101.2 References: |
| ⓘ Löllingite Formula: FeAs2 |
| ⓘ 'Monazite Group' Formula: REE(PO4) References: |
| ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 References: |
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
| ⓘ Quartz var. Capped Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
| ⓘ Scorodite Formula: Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O References: |
| ✪ Siderite Formula: FeCO3 Description: Famous pseudomorphosis after Fluorite in NHM,London year 1846 [see Bancroft, Peter (1973) The World's Finest Minerals and Crystals]. [https://www.mindat.org/photo-310345.html] References: Paul De Bondt collectionIdentified by Paul De Bondt: Visual Identification |
| ⓘ Siderite var. Lady's Slipper Formula: FeCO3 References: Paul De Bondt collectionIdentified by Paul De Bondt: Visual Identification |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Covellite | 2.CA.05a | CuS |
| ⓘ | Chalcopyrite | 2.CB.10a | CuFeS2 |
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| ⓘ | Löllingite | 2.EB.15a | FeAs2 |
| ⓘ | Arsenopyrite | 2.EB.20 | FeAsS |
| Group 3 - Halides | |||
| ⓘ | Fluorite | 3.AB.25 | CaF2 |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Goethite | 4.00. | Fe3+O(OH) |
| ⓘ | Quartz var. Capped Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| ⓘ | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 | |
| ⓘ | Cassiterite | 4.DB.05 | SnO2 |
| ⓘ | Anatase | 4.DD.05 | TiO2 |
| ⓘ | Brookite | 4.DD.10 | TiO2 |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| ⓘ | Siderite | 5.AB.05 | FeCO3 |
| ⓘ | var. Lady's Slipper | 5.AB.05 | FeCO3 |
| ⓘ | Dolomite | 5.AB.10 | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| ⓘ | Brochantite | 7.BB.25 | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| ⓘ | Gypsum | 7.CD.40 | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| ⓘ | Cyanotrichite ? | 7.DE.10 | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
| ⓘ | Scorodite | 8.CD.10 | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| ⓘ | Childrenite ? | 8.DD.20 | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| Unclassified | |||
| ⓘ | 'Chlorite Group' | - | |
| ⓘ | 'Monazite Group' | - | REE(PO4) |
| ⓘ | 'Apatite' | - | Ca5(PO4)3A |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| H | ⓘ Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| H | ⓘ Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| H | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| H | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| C | Carbon | |
| C | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| C | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| C | ⓘ Siderite var. Lady's Slipper | FeCO3 |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Anatase | TiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| O | ⓘ Brookite | TiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Quartz var. Capped Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| O | ⓘ Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| O | ⓘ Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| O | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| O | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| O | ⓘ Monazite Group | REE(PO4) |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| O | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3A |
| O | ⓘ Siderite var. Lady's Slipper | FeCO3 |
| F | Fluorine | |
| F | ⓘ Fluorite | CaF2 |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| Al | ⓘ Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz var. Capped Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| P | Phosphorus | |
| P | ⓘ Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| P | ⓘ Monazite Group | REE(PO4) |
| P | ⓘ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3A |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| S | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| S | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Covellite | CuS |
| S | ⓘ Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| S | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Ca | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Ca | ⓘ Fluorite | CaF2 |
| Ca | ⓘ Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| Ca | ⓘ Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3A |
| Ti | Titanium | |
| Ti | ⓘ Anatase | TiO2 |
| Ti | ⓘ Brookite | TiO2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| Fe | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| Fe | ⓘ Löllingite | FeAs2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| Fe | ⓘ Siderite var. Lady's Slipper | FeCO3 |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | ⓘ Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Covellite | CuS |
| Cu | ⓘ Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| As | Arsenic | |
| As | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| As | ⓘ Löllingite | FeAs2 |
| As | ⓘ Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| Sn | Tin | |
| Sn | ⓘ Cassiterite | SnO2 |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
British and Irish IslesGroup of Islands
Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
- Rheno-Hercynian BeltOrogenic Belt
EuropeContinent
UK
- England
- Callington and Tavistock Mining DistrictMining District
- Cornubian mining districtMining District
- Devon
- Dartmoor National ParkNational Park
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Virtuous Lady Mine, Buckland Monachorum, West Devon, Devon, England, UK