CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium i
Regional Level Types
CUP quarry Quarry
Lessines Municipality
Hainaut Province
Wallonia Region
Belgium Country

Regional Level Types
CUP quarry	Quarry
Lessines	Municipality
Hainaut	Province
Wallonia	Region
Belgium	Country

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CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Quartz veins

CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Quartz vein

CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

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CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Quartz veins

CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Quartz vein

CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

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CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Quartz veins

CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

50° 42' 41'' North , 3° 51' 24'' East

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

G#: u148rz8r6

Type:

Köppen climate type:

Cfb : Temperate oceanic climate

Nearest Settlements:

Place	Population	Distance
Lessines	17,687 (2012)	1.5km
Geraardsbergen	30,807 (2012)	7.1km
Silly	7,887 (2012)	8.4km
Flobecq	3,142 (2012)	8.8km
Galmaarden	7,939 (2011)	9.3km

Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities

Club	Location	Distance
Nautilus-Gent	9000 Ghent, East-Flanders	37km

Mindat Locality ID:

47982

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:47982:3

GUID (UUID V4):

Name(s) in local language(s):

Carrières Unies de Porphyre

The quarry operation started in 1862 as "Société pour l'exploitation des carrières Tacquenier et la construction des routes pavées", in 1919 the name was changed to "Carrières Unies de Porphyre". Carrières Unies de Porphyre (CUP) is nowadays a subsidiary of the French Eurovia, which is, in turn, a subsidiary of the Vinci company.

Porphyry is a variety of igneous rock known for its hardness and durability.
Originally, because of its durability, the porphyry was used for the production of cobblestones for roads, one can still see them in many old roads in Belgium and France (the annual speed cycling event Paris-Roubaix is an epic event due to the many strips of cobblestones ("pavés" in French or "kasseien" in Dutch) that are very hard physically on the athlete but also ruin many bikes).

Nowadays the main product is gravel for projects where hardness, durability, and resistance of the gravel is of great importance.
Porphyry from the area has been used for instance in the huge Delta Works in Holland, in the "chunnel" (the tunnel under the channel linking France to the United Kingdom) and for the high-speed TGV tracks (they exclusively use porphyry).

Today four porphyry quarries are operated (in order from east to west): Quenast, Bierghes, and the side by side located quarries of Lessines and Deux-Acren.

The quarry management does not give permits to collect minerals and does not authorise people to enter the site.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

25 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

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Anatase

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ 'Apatite' ?

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

ⓘ 'Axinite Group'

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Bornite

Formula: Cu₅FeS₄

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Brookite ?

Formula: TiO₂

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Clinozoisite

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

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Epidote

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

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Galena

Formula: PbS

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Gypsum

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

References:

Harjo Neutkens collection.

ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

References:

Harjo Neutkens collection.

ⓘ Ilmenite ?

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

Description: A microscopic constituent of igneous rock.

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Malachite

Formula: Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Marcasite ?

Formula: FeS₂

ⓘ Melanterite

Formula: Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆SO₄ · H₂O

References:

Dumont, A. (1847-1848) Mémoire sur les terrains ardennais et rhénan. Mémoire de l'Académie royale de Belgique. Mémoire couronné in 4, 20 and 22.

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Orthoclase

Formula: K(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Pyrophyllite

Formula: Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Rhodochrosite ?

Formula: MnCO₃

ⓘ Rutile ?

Formula: TiO₂

ⓘ Siderite

Formula: FeCO₃

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Sphalerite

Formula: ZnS

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

ⓘ Vivianite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe²⁺₂(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O

Description: Found on decomposing plant material

References:

Hatert, F., Deliens, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Van Der Meersche, E. (2002) Les minéraux de Belgique (2nd ed.) Muséum des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles.

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Bornite	2.BA.15	Cu₅FeS₄
ⓘ	Sphalerite	2.CB.05a	ZnS
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Galena	2.CD.10	PbS
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Marcasite ?	2.EB.10a	FeS₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite ?	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Rutile ?	4.DB.05	TiO₂
ⓘ	Anatase	4.DD.05	TiO₂
ⓘ	Brookite ?	4.DD.10	TiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Rhodochrosite ?	5.AB.05	MnCO₃
ⓘ	Siderite	5.AB.05	FeCO₃
ⓘ	Malachite	5.BA.10	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Melanterite	7.CB.35	Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆SO₄ · H₂O
ⓘ	Gypsum	7.CD.40	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
ⓘ	var. Selenite	7.CD.40	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘ	Vivianite	8.CE.40	Fe²⁺Fe²⁺₂(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Clinozoisite	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Epidote	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Pyrophyllite	9.EC.10	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Orthoclase	9.FA.30	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Apatite' ?	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ	'Axinite Group'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Melanterite	Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆SO₄ · H₂O
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Pyrophyllite	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Vivianite	Fe²⁺Fe₂²⁺(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O
H	ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
C	ⓘ Rhodochrosite	MnCO₃
C	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Brookite	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Melanterite	Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆SO₄ · H₂O
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Pyrophyllite	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Rhodochrosite	MnCO₃
O	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	ⓘ Vivianite	Fe²⁺Fe₂²⁺(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O
O	ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Pyrophyllite	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Pyrophyllite	Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Vivianite	Fe²⁺Fe₂²⁺(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Galena	PbS
S	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
S	ⓘ Marcasite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Melanterite	Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆SO₄ · H₂O
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
S	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
S	ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
Ti	ⓘ Brookite	TiO₂
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Ti	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
Mn	Manganese
Mn	ⓘ Rhodochrosite	MnCO₃
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Marcasite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Melanterite	Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆SO₄ · H₂O
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Fe	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
Fe	ⓘ Vivianite	Fe²⁺Fe₂²⁺(PO₄)₂ · 8H₂O
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Cu	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
Zn	Zinc
Zn	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
Pb	Lead
Pb	ⓘ Galena	PbS

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate

AvaloniaVolcanic Arc

EuropeContinent

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

www.cmpb.net (n.d.) http://www.cmpb.net/en/lessinescup.php

natuurtijdschriften.nl (n.d.) http://natuurtijdschriften.nl/download?type=document&docid=566330

Vaessen, Lenard (1986) Verslag pinksterexkursie. Afzettingen: 7(3-4): 57-61.

www.cmpb.net (n.d.) http://www.cmpb.net/fr/lessinescup.php

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CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, BelgiumiRegional Level TypesCUP quarryQuarry LessinesMunicipality HainautProvince WalloniaRegion BelgiumCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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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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References

CUP quarry, Lessines, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium i
Regional Level Types
CUP quarry Quarry
Lessines Municipality
Hainaut Province
Wallonia Region
Belgium Country