Viburnum Trend Mining District

Mindat.org

Missouri, USA

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Key Information

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  • The Viburnum Trend Mining District is in southeastern Missouri, USA, part of the Southeast Missouri Lead District, known for lead and zinc deposits.

  • It features minerals like galena, sphalerite, and unique finds like fletcherite, with large, lustrous galena crystals attracting collectors.

  • The geology involves Cambrian-age dolomite with ore in algal reef facies and breccias, formed by hydrothermal fluids.

  • Mining started in the 1950s, with production beginning in 1960, operated by companies like Doe Run, and some mines remain active.

  • The area has a small-town culture tied to mining, with festivals like Old Miners Day, set in the scenic Ozark Plateau with forests and rivers.

  • The climate is humid continental, with hot summers and cold winters, and the ecology includes diverse Ozark flora and fauna.

Location and Minerals

The Viburnum Trend Mining District lies in Reynolds, Washington, and Iron counties, about 100 miles south of St. Louis, within the Ozark Plateau. It's famous for its lead and zinc deposits, primarily galena and sphalerite, but also hosts a variety of other minerals like chalcopyrite, bornite, and millerite. Collectors are particularly drawn to its large, lustrous galena crystals and the rare fletcherite, a type locality mineral, making it a hotspot for mineral enthusiasts.

Geological and Mining History

Research suggests the district's geology features Cambrian-age dolomite from the Bonneterre Formation, with ore deposits in replacement zones within algal reef facies and breccias, likely formed by hydrothermal fluids. Mining history began with its discovery in the 1950s by St. Joe Minerals Corp., with production starting in 1960. Operated by companies like Doe Run, some mines remain active, contributing significantly to U.S. lead production.

Culture and Environment

The town of Viburnum, with around 667 residents, has a culture deeply rooted in mining, celebrated through events like Old Miners Day. Set in the Mark Twain National Forest, it offers outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, enhancing its appeal. The climate is humid continental, with hot summers and cold winters, and the ecology features diverse Ozark flora and fauna, including oak and hickory forests.

Unexpected Detail

An unexpected detail is the district's role in producing world-class mineral specimens, like calcite with phantoms, displayed in museums worldwide, adding to its allure for collectors beyond just lead and zinc.

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