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Skouriotissa Mine, Skouriotissa, Nicosia District, Cyprusi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Skouriotissa Mine | Mine (Active) |
| Skouriotissa | Village |
| Nicosia District | District |
| Cyprus | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
35° 5' 49'' North , 32° 53' 27'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Mine (Active)
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Linoú | 216 (2015) | 2.5km |
| Páno Flásou | 265 (2014) | 3.1km |
| Léfka | 7,835 (2015) | 4.1km |
| Korákou | 521 (2014) | 6.2km |
| Evrýchou | 855 (2018) | 6.3km |
An operating copper-gold-pyrite mine (VHMS-type Cu deposit). Started in 1914 and owned by Cyprus Mines Corp., then by Oxiana Resources NL. Orebody includes the Phoenix deposit.
Mineralization is replacement lenses in andesite pillow lavas.
Impressive piles of slags at Skouriotissa mine are evidence of ancient mining activities.
The north eastern portion of the mine is located in Northern Cyprus. The border area between Northern Cyprus and the republic of Cyprus runs through the mine area and is largely contained within the UN demilitarised zone.
The mining area of Skouriotissa is where the Phoukasa, Phinika and Tria Vounarka deposits were discovered and they continue to be exploited to the present day.
The partial exploitation of the Phoukasa deposit began in antiquity, a fact that is backed up by the presence of ancient slag heaps (around 2,000,000 tons) and the ancient galleries that were discovered there.
Its systematic exploitation began in 1921 and still goes on. From 1921 to 1974, mining was both underground and open-cast, and some 7,804,000 tons of ore was extracted, with an average concentration of 2.3% copper and 42% sulphur. Processing took place in an enrichment plant at Xeros, for the production of ingots of copper and iron pyrites and the precipitation of the dissolved copper with scrap iron for the production of copper sediments, while the end products were placed on a shiploader at Xeros for export.
During the period 1982-1993, some 608,000 tons of low quality ore with an average concentration of 0.8% copper were mined and processed using the flotation method with the a slightly acid solution and its precipitation with scrap iron for the production of copper sediments with a copper concentration of 70%.
Since 1996, a hydrometallurgical unit has operated in the area, producing copper cathodes that are 99.999% pure through the exploitation and processing of low quality copper and implementing innovative processing methods (dissolving the ore with the help of a light acid solution with an organic extractant – electrolysis). It is estimated that by 2007, 7,500,000 tons of ore with an average concentration of 0.7% copper had been extracted.
Mineralization is replacement lenses in andesite pillow lavas.
Impressive piles of slags at Skouriotissa mine are evidence of ancient mining activities.
The north eastern portion of the mine is located in Northern Cyprus. The border area between Northern Cyprus and the republic of Cyprus runs through the mine area and is largely contained within the UN demilitarised zone.
The mining area of Skouriotissa is where the Phoukasa, Phinika and Tria Vounarka deposits were discovered and they continue to be exploited to the present day.
The partial exploitation of the Phoukasa deposit began in antiquity, a fact that is backed up by the presence of ancient slag heaps (around 2,000,000 tons) and the ancient galleries that were discovered there.
Its systematic exploitation began in 1921 and still goes on. From 1921 to 1974, mining was both underground and open-cast, and some 7,804,000 tons of ore was extracted, with an average concentration of 2.3% copper and 42% sulphur. Processing took place in an enrichment plant at Xeros, for the production of ingots of copper and iron pyrites and the precipitation of the dissolved copper with scrap iron for the production of copper sediments, while the end products were placed on a shiploader at Xeros for export.
During the period 1982-1993, some 608,000 tons of low quality ore with an average concentration of 0.8% copper were mined and processed using the flotation method with the a slightly acid solution and its precipitation with scrap iron for the production of copper sediments with a copper concentration of 70%.
Since 1996, a hydrometallurgical unit has operated in the area, producing copper cathodes that are 99.999% pure through the exploitation and processing of low quality copper and implementing innovative processing methods (dissolving the ore with the help of a light acid solution with an organic extractant – electrolysis). It is estimated that by 2007, 7,500,000 tons of ore with an average concentration of 0.7% copper had been extracted.
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
26 valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ 'Blaubleibender Covellite' |
| ⓘ Bornite Formula: Cu5FeS4 |
| ⓘ Chalcocite Formula: Cu2S |
| ⓘ Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS2 |
| ⓘ Coquimbite Formula: AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| ⓘ Covellite Formula: CuS |
| ⓘ Cuprite Formula: Cu2O |
| ⓘ Delafossite Formula: Cu+Fe3+O2 |
| ⓘ Digenite Formula: Cu9S5 |
| ⓘ Fibroferrite Formula: Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O References: |
| ⓘ Goethite Formula: Fe3+O(OH) |
| ⓘ Idaite Formula: Cu5FeS6 |
| ⓘ Jarosite Formula: KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 References: |
| ⓘ Mackinawite Formula: FeS |
| ⓘ Magnetite Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| ⓘ Mandarinoite Formula: Fe3+2(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) References: |
| ⓘ Native Copper Formula: Cu |
| ⓘ Natrojarosite Formula: NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 References: Desborough, George A., Smith, Kathleen S., Lowers, Heather A., Swayze, Gregg A., Hammarstrom, Jane M., Diehl, Sharon F., Leinz, Reinhard W., Driscoll, Rhonda L. (2010) Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74 (3) 1041-1056 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.11.006 |
| ⓘ Oregonite Formula: Ni2FeAs2 |
| ⓘ Paramelaconite Formula: Cu+2Cu2+2O3 |
| ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 |
| ⓘ Pyrrhotite Formula: Fe1-xS |
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
| ⓘ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS |
| ⓘ Tamarugite Formula: NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O References: |
| ⓘ Tenorite Formula: CuO |
| ⓘ Voltaite Formula: K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O References: |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Native Copper | 1.AA.05 | Cu |
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
| ⓘ | Chalcocite | 2.BA.05 | Cu2S |
| ⓘ | Digenite | 2.BA.10 | Cu9S5 |
| ⓘ | Bornite | 2.BA.15 | Cu5FeS4 |
| ⓘ | Oregonite | 2.BB.05 | Ni2FeAs2 |
| ⓘ | Covellite | 2.CA.05a | CuS |
| ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
| ⓘ | Chalcopyrite | 2.CB.10a | CuFeS2 |
| ⓘ | Idaite | 2.CB.15a | Cu5FeS6 |
| ⓘ | Pyrrhotite | 2.CC.10 | Fe1-xS |
| ⓘ | Mackinawite | 2.CC.25 | FeS |
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Goethite | 4.00. | Fe3+O(OH) |
| ⓘ | Cuprite | 4.AA.10 | Cu2O |
| ⓘ | Paramelaconite | 4.AA.15 | Cu+2Cu2+2O3 |
| ⓘ | Tenorite | 4.AB.10 | CuO |
| ⓘ | Delafossite | 4.AB.15 | Cu+Fe3+O2 |
| ⓘ | Magnetite | 4.BB.05 | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| ⓘ | Mandarinoite | 4.JH.15 | Fe3+2(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| ⓘ | Jarosite | 7.BC.10 | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| ⓘ | Natrojarosite | 7.BC.10 | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| ⓘ | Coquimbite | 7.CB.55 | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| ⓘ | Tamarugite | 7.CC.10 | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| ⓘ | Voltaite | 7.CC.25 | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| ⓘ | Fibroferrite | 7.DC.15 | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| Unclassified | |||
| ⓘ | 'Blaubleibender Covellite' | - | |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| H | ⓘ Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| H | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| H | ⓘ Mandarinoite | Fe23+(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
| H | ⓘ Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| H | ⓘ Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| H | ⓘ Voltaite | K2Fe52+Fe33+Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| O | ⓘ Cuprite | Cu2O |
| O | ⓘ Delafossite | Cu+Fe3+O2 |
| O | ⓘ Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| O | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| O | ⓘ Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
| O | ⓘ Mandarinoite | Fe23+(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
| O | ⓘ Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| O | ⓘ Paramelaconite | Cu2+Cu22+O3 |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| O | ⓘ Tenorite | CuO |
| O | ⓘ Voltaite | K2Fe52+Fe33+Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| Na | Sodium | |
| Na | ⓘ Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| Na | ⓘ Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| Al | ⓘ Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| Al | ⓘ Voltaite | K2Fe52+Fe33+Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
| S | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| S | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| S | ⓘ Covellite | CuS |
| S | ⓘ Digenite | Cu9S5 |
| S | ⓘ Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| S | ⓘ Idaite | Cu5FeS6 |
| S | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| S | ⓘ Mackinawite | FeS |
| S | ⓘ Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| S | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| S | ⓘ Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| S | ⓘ Voltaite | K2Fe52+Fe33+Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| K | Potassium | |
| K | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| K | ⓘ Voltaite | K2Fe52+Fe33+Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
| Fe | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Delafossite | Cu+Fe3+O2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| Fe | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| Fe | ⓘ Idaite | Cu5FeS6 |
| Fe | ⓘ Jarosite | KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| Fe | ⓘ Mackinawite | FeS |
| Fe | ⓘ Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
| Fe | ⓘ Mandarinoite | Fe23+(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
| Fe | ⓘ Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| Fe | ⓘ Oregonite | Ni2FeAs2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| Fe | ⓘ Voltaite | K2Fe52+Fe33+Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| Ni | Nickel | |
| Ni | ⓘ Oregonite | Ni2FeAs2 |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | ⓘ Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| Cu | ⓘ Covellite | CuS |
| Cu | ⓘ Cuprite | Cu2O |
| Cu | ⓘ Native Copper | Cu |
| Cu | ⓘ Delafossite | Cu+Fe3+O2 |
| Cu | ⓘ Digenite | Cu9S5 |
| Cu | ⓘ Idaite | Cu5FeS6 |
| Cu | ⓘ Paramelaconite | Cu2+Cu22+O3 |
| Cu | ⓘ Tenorite | CuO |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Zn | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| As | Arsenic | |
| As | ⓘ Oregonite | Ni2FeAs2 |
| Se | Selenium | |
| Se | ⓘ Mandarinoite | Fe23+(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Anatolia PlateTectonic Plate
AsiaContinent
Indian Plate
- Zagros OrogenAccretionary Complex
Island of CyprusIsland
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References
Constantinou, G., Govett, G. J. S. (1973) Geology, geochemistry, and genesis of Cyprus sulfide deposits. Economic Geology, 68 (6) 843-858 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.68.6.843
Schiffman, Peter, Smith, Brian M. (1988) Petrology and oxygen isotope geochemistry of a fossil seawater hydrothermal system within the Solea graben, northern Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 93. 4612-4624 doi:10.1029/jb093ib05p04612
Skouriotissa Mine, Skouriotissa, Nicosia District, Cyprus