West Bay
Port au Port Peninsula, St. George's District, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
West Bay, on the Port au Port Peninsula, is a mineral collecting site in Newfoundland, Canada, known for Pyrite, with nearby localities rich in Baryte, Calcite, and more.
The peninsula is on the west coast, connected by an isthmus, with a history of French and Mi'kmaq influence and a bilingual community.
Research suggests the area has sedimentary rocks from ancient periods, with a cold, snowy climate and unique limestone barrens supporting rare plants.
Geographic Location
West Bay is located on the Port au Port Peninsula, a roughly triangular landmass on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, extending into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The peninsula is connected to the main island by a narrow isthmus at the town of Port au Port, bounded by Bay St. George to the south and Port au Port Bay to the northwest. The nearest town, Stephenville, is about 30 km away, and other notable mineral localities like Aguathuna and Lead Cove are nearby.
Minerals and Geology
West Bay is known for Pyrite, often found on its beach, making it a favorite for collectors. The broader Port au Port Peninsula hosts a variety of minerals, including Baryte, Calcite, Celestine, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Marcasite, and Sphalerite, found in nearby sites. Geologically, the area is part of the eroded Appalachian Mountain chain, with sedimentary rocks from the middle Cambrian to early Ordovician periods, forming a carbonate platform of limestone, shale, and sandstone, heavily folded over millions of years.
History and Culture
The peninsula has a rich history, shaped by Basque and French fishermen and the Mi'kmaq people, with a significant French-speaking community today, designated as a bilingual district since 1971. Its Roman Catholic heritage and influence on Newfoundland folk music, like through Émile Benoît, add cultural depth. While West Bay itself lacks specific mining history, nearby Aguathuna quarry operated for limestone from 1911 to the early 1960s, and Lead Cove saw an unsuccessful mining attempt in 1874.
Climate and Ecology
The climate is cold and moderate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Nearby Stephenville shows January highs around 28°F (-2°C) and August highs around 68°F (20°C), with significant snowfall in winter, like 18.2 inches in January. The ecology features limestone barrens, home to rare and endangered plants unique to Newfoundland, such as Long’s braya, thriving in the nutrient-poor, exposed conditions.