Sapo Mine
Ferruginha, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
Sapo Mine is located in Ferruginha, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil, part of a renowned pegmatite district.
It is famous for apatite, quartz, and "blue-cap" elbaite tourmaline, with some rare phosphates like barbosalite.
The mine is a granite pegmatite, formed from slow magma cooling, discovered in 1985, and likely still active.
The local area has a tropical climate, hot year-round, with temperatures from 60°F to 92°F, and a culture tied to mining.
Geographic Location
Sapo Mine sits in Ferruginha, a district within Conselheiro Pena, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which is in South America and known for its rich mining history. The mine is about 40 km northeast of Conselheiro Pena town, within the Aimorés pegmatite district, part of the Eastern Brazilian pegmatite province. This area is close to other notable mineral localities like Almerindo mine and Roberto Caldeira claim, making it a hub for mineral enthusiasts.
Minerals Produced
Sapo Mine is celebrated for its vibrant apatite specimens, particularly color-zoned apatite-(CaOH) and apatite-(CaF), which display unique green and yellow hues. It also produces giant quartz crystals and gem-quality "blue-cap" elbaite tourmaline, known for their striking blue terminations. Other minerals include albite, beryl, and tourmaline, with rare phosphates like barbosalite and dufrénite adding to its allure.
Geological Structure
The mine is a granite pegmatite, a coarse-grained igneous rock formed from the slow cooling of magma, allowing for large crystal growth. This geological setting, part of the Eastern Brazilian pegmatite province, explains the presence of its exceptional mineral specimens.
Mining History
Discovered in 1985, Sapo Mine gained fame in the mid-2000s for significant finds of apatite and tourmaline. It seems likely that the mine remains active, possibly on a smaller scale, though specific ownership details are not widely available, catering to collectors and small-scale operations.
Local Culture and Characteristics
Conselheiro Pena, with a population of about 22,000, is located along the Rio Doce, or Sweet River, and its culture is deeply tied to mining. While specific local specialties are not well-documented, the town's history and development are intertwined with mineral exploration, reflecting a community shaped by its geological wealth.
Climate and Ecology
The climate in Conselheiro Pena is tropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons, and temperatures typically range from 60°F to 92°F, remaining hot year-round. This environment supports a diverse ecosystem, though its direct impact on mineral production is minimal, as the minerals formed through geological processes over millions of years.