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Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand i
Regional Level Types
Gorge River River
Westland District District
West Coast Region Region
New Zealand Country

Regional Level Types
Gorge River	River
Westland District	District
West Coast Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

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Awaruite

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite, etc.

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite, etc.

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Awaruite, etc.

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

44° 11' 20'' South , 168° 18' 18'' East

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

Type:

Köppen climate type:

Cfb : Temperate oceanic climate

Mindat Locality ID:

2439

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:2439:9

GUID (UUID V4):

Other/historical names associated with this locality:

"Awarua Bay"; Big Bay

Originally arawuite was found in stream sediments in this river, derived from a belt of serpentinised ultramafic rocks in the Red Hills, in which it occurs in situ (Rodgers and Hey, 1980).

Type locality for awaruite. The mineral was named after the Awarua River, or the Awarua Bay (Big Bay, -44.3033, 168.07228) it flows into, however the species is not found in either site.

The species was initially identified from heavy black sand given to the local warden by alluvial gold miners, and first described by government analyst William Skey in 1885. There was confusion, and a lack of information as to where the samples came from. A Government geologist named Park investigated in 1886, stating the material was found in the Gorge and Hope Rivers in gravel wash, and in situ in serpentinite in the valleys (Park, 1887). Morgan (1927) in Minerals and Mineral Substances of New Zealand, later confirmed the alloy is found as water worn grains in these rivers and other watercourses in the same area, southwest of Jackson Bay. See also Rodgers and Hey (1980).

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

12 valid minerals. 2 (TL) - type locality of valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ 'Jade' ?

ⓘ Nephrite ?

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Awaruite (TL)

Formula: Ni₃Fe

Type Locality:

References:

Skey, W. (1885) On a new mineral (awaruite) from Barn Bay. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 18. 401-402

Ulrich, G.H.F. (1890) On the Discovery, Mode of Occurrence, and Distribution of the Nickel-iron Alloy Awaruite, on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 46(1-4), 619-NP.

ⓘ Chamosite

Formula: (Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈

References:

Happy, A.J., Carlson, J.R., Gregg, R.C. (1970) Geological report on the Gorge-Jerry rivers area: Layton & Associates (NZ) Ltd for Nickel Spoon Mining Co. Ltd. Ministry of Economic Development, Wellington, unpublished open-file mineral report MR1629.

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

ⓘ Clinozoisite

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

ⓘ Dolomite

Formula: CaMg(CO₃)₂

References:

ⓘ Epidote

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

ⓘ 'Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series' ?

References:

ⓘ Galena

Formula: PbS

References:

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

ⓘ 'Limonite'

References:

Happy, A.J.

Carlson, J.R.

Gregg, R.C. 1970: Geological report on the Gorge-Jerry rivers area: Layton & Associates (NZ) Ltd for Nickel Spoon Mining Co. Ltd. Ministry of Economic Development, Wellington, unpublished open-file mineral report MR1629.

ⓘ Native Platinum

Formula: Pt

References:

Farquharson, R.A. (1910) Art. XLII.—The Platinum Gravels of Orepuki. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Vol. 43, 448-482.

ⓘ Pentlandite

Formula: (Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

References:

ⓘ 'Pumpellyite Subgroup'

Formula: Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A

References:

ⓘ 'Serpentine Subgroup'

Formula: D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Siderite

Formula: FeCO₃

References:

ⓘ Taenite (TL)

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

Type Locality:

References:

Am Min 51 (1966), 37

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Taenite (TL)	1.AE.10	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Awaruite (TL)	1.AE.20	Ni₃Fe
ⓘ	Native Platinum	1.AF.10	Pt
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Pentlandite	2.BB.15	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
ⓘ	Galena	2.CD.10	PbS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Siderite	5.AB.05	FeCO₃
ⓘ	Dolomite	5.AB.10	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Clinozoisite	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Epidote	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Chamosite	9.EC.55	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Limonite'	-
ⓘ	'Pumpellyite Subgroup'	-	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
ⓘ	'Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series' ?	-
ⓘ	'Serpentine Subgroup'	-	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Chamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
H	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
H	ⓘ Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series
H	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
C	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Chamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
O	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	ⓘ Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series
O	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Chamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
Mg	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Chamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
Al	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Chamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
Si	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
Si	ⓘ Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series
Si	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Galena	PbS
S	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Pumpellyite Subgroup	Ca₂XAl₂[Si₂O₆(OH)][SiO₄](OH)₂A
Ca	ⓘ Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Awaruite	Ni₃Fe
Fe	ⓘ Chamosite	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Al,Fe³⁺)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Fe	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
Fe	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Awaruite	Ni₃Fe
Ni	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Ni	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Pt	Platinum
Pt	ⓘ Native Platinum	Pt
Pb	Lead
Pb	ⓘ Galena	PbS

Other Databases

Wikipedia:	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorge_River
Wikidata ID:	Q5586237

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Australian PlateTectonic Plate

Buller TerraneAccretionary Complex

New Zealand

South IslandIsland
Southern AlpsMountain Range

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Park, J., (1887). Rep. Geol. Explor. N.Z. 18, I21-36 (for 1886-7).

Ulrich, G.H.F. (1890) On the Discovery, Mode of Occurrence, and Distribution of the Nickel-iron Alloy Awaruite, on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society: 46(1-4): 619-NP.

Morgan, P. G., (1927) in Minerals and Mineral Substances of New Zealand. N.Z. Geol. Surv. Bull. 32.

Rodgers, K. A., Hey, M. H. (1980) On the type locality and other occurrences of awaruite (FeNi₃) in Westland, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (329) 647-650 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.329.14

Railton, G. T., Watters, W. A. (1990) Minerals of New Zealand. New Zealand Geological Survey Bulletin 104. New Zealand Geological Survey

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Detailed Mineral List:

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List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

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Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Gorge River, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand i
Regional Level Types
Gorge River River
Westland District District
West Coast Region Region
New Zealand Country