Realgar

[Charlie]

Anyone encountered this stuff in a cave?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realgar
I would be interested in confirming what the deposit is, its in Wales, so should I contact the people mentioned in this thread? http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,10261.0.html

Cheers
Charlie

 

[robjones]

Jackalpup can put you in touch with John Mason or you can locate his website via the suggestions made on that thread. The Geology Dept staff of NMW could give you a second opinion if you are seeking further. JM's identification satisfies me - I respect his considerable mineralogical expertise especially with regard to mid Wales non-ferrous mines. The colour also matches similar composition Co salts I have seen commercially prepared, albeit they were more vibrant being pure rather than diluted with ?CaCO3.

 

[RobinGriffiths]

There's an arsenic mine just upstream from Bethesda on the Ogwen at SH 633 645. There's an adit next to the river, with some collapsed surface holes trending to the west. There are also two sublimation flues where according to D. Bick, some unfortunate was endeavoured to enter to scrape the sublimate off the roof. I don't know what the actual mineral mined was, but there's a strong vein of quartz by the adit near the river.

 

[Ian Adams]

Hi Charlie,

I haven't seen any occurance of the mineral or the salt in any of the mines I have wandered in (and I have wandered around a lot) but Rob is right that the best person to ask would be John Mason. I can PM his details if you like .....



Ian

 

[Charlie]

Ian

That would be great 

Charlie

 

[Ian Adams]

PM sent