002.10.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republic of Slovenia

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Ore deposit

The collection consists of 96 samples of irregular shapes and sizes. Different sedimentation textures can be observed in all samples, which are rich and very rich ores by quality. Syngenetic and sedimentary ores are the special feature of Idrija ore deposit and have not yet been found anywhere else on Earth. Sedimentary ores, rich with different sedimentation textures, were in two levels of Mid-Triassic Ladinian rocks, namely in kaolinite rocks and Skonca beds. Sedimentary ores occur very rarely in kaolinite rocks. In Skonca beds, the primary mineralisation was completely from mostly rich syngenetic cinnabar ores, namely: steel ores, liver ores, brick ores and coral ores.

96 samples of different dimensions.

Kaolinite sediments, Skonca beds and the lowest part volcaniclastic rocks.

Ladinian, Longobardian

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The Idrija ore deposit is of low temperature (from 218 °C to 160°C) hydrothermal creation. Mercury mineralisation occurred in two stages. In the first hydrothermal phase, which took place during the formation of the kaolinite rocks, only small amounts of mercury flowed in the sedimentation environment, therefore sedimentary ore was only formed above the town. Most sedimentary ores were formed in the second hydrothermal phase at the end of the Ladinian. The formation of the syngenetic rocks in the second phase is connected to effusing of hydrothermal waters, which were enriched with mercury and sulfur or already directly with cinnabar gel into the then wetlands. There, unique wetland sedimentary rocks with several sedimentary structures were formed simultaneously, known by the name Skonca beds.

The syngenetic sedimental cinnabar ores are being preserved, secured and presented as important natural heritage of Idrija ore deposit with exceptional universal values. Samples of syngenetic sedimental cinnabar ores present unique ore specimens in the collection. They are a part of Mining Geological Collection and were collected by mining geologists while exploring Idrija ore deposit. The collection wraps up the discoveries of several generations of geologists on the creation and development of the Idrija ore deposit, which has represented a special challenge for several researchers. It represents a unique soil “archive”, as all the syngenetic sedimental cinnabar ores were excavated in Idrija ore deposit and also stored. The larger part of the collection is displayed and available to researchers in the CUDHg administrative premises within the Francis’ shaft. The described specimens are mostly presented in display cases. The rest of them are stored in the drawers under the display cases. Samples can also be used for temporary exhibitions and for other types of Mercury heritage promotions.

Ore samples are from different ore bodies from the I to the XIV level of the Idrija Mine.

CUDHg (Mining Geological Collection), Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

The samples are appropriately preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book;
- Čar, Jože. Rudniška geološka zbirka: Seznam in opis vzorcev. Mercury Mine Idrija, 2003, p. 1–122, [material is kept in the CUDHg archive];
- Drovenik, Matija, Mlakar, Ivan. Strukturne in genetske posebnosti idrijskega rudišča. Geologija, 14, 1971, p. 67‒126;
- Čar, Jože. Razvoj srednjetriasnih sedimentov v idrijskem rudišču: doctoral thesis. The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana, 1985.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

27. 2. 2018

Never