Macei stope
Cape Calamita Mine, Capoliveri, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy
Cantiere Macei, Miniera di Capo Calamita (Miniera di Calamita), Capoliveri, Isola d'Elba, Livorno, Toscana, Italia
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Macei stope is located in Capoliveri, Elba Island, Tuscany, Italy, known for its medieval charm and proximity to the sea.
It produces minerals like magnetite, andradite, and bonattite, with some rare specimens for collectors.
The geological structure includes magnetite covered by skarns, formed through volcanic and metamorphic processes.
Mining likely started in the 18th century, with modern activity from 1870-1880, and the lower stope is now exhausted.
Capoliveri features medieval alleys, cultural festivals like the Grape Festival, and historical ties to Napoleon’s exile.
The area has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers, supporting diverse vegetation.
Geographic Location
The Macei stope is part of the Cape Calamita Mine in Capoliveri, on Elba Island, off the coast of Tuscany, Italy. Elba is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 10 km from the mainland. Capoliveri, a small town with a medieval feel, is 3.5 km from the mine, with nearby settlements like Porto Azzurro (5.4 km) and Lacona (9.4 km). The mine is on the Calamita peninsula, with the Macei stope at 60-280 meters above sea level.
Minerals Produced
The Cape Calamita Mine, including the Macei stope, is known for magnetite (often pseudomorphous after hematite) and limonite. It also produces skarn minerals like hedenbergite, ilvaite, and andradite, with bonattite being a type locality. Other minerals include aurichalcite, atacamite, bornite, chalcopyrite, epidote, gypsum, and sphalerite, making it a hotspot for collectors.
Geological Structure
The orebody consists of magnetite covered by skarns, mainly hedenbergite and ilvaite, with some andradite. The mining area extends from sea level to 300 meters, spanning 1.7 km west to east. The formation is linked to Elba’s volcanic and metamorphic history, creating ideal conditions for mineral crystallization.
Mining History
Mining at Cape Calamita likely began in the 18th century, with significant modern exploitation from 1870-1880. The Macei stope is divided into Macei alto (high) and Macei basso (low), with the lower section now exhausted. The mine was key for iron ore, reflecting Elba’s industrial past, and is no longer operational.
Local Culture and Characteristics
Capoliveri, near the mine, is a medieval village with narrow alleys (“chiassi”) filled with artisan shops and bistros. It hosts cultural events like the Grape Festival, Capoliveri haiku contest, and Legend of the Beloved. Historical sites include Madonna delle Grazie and Forte Focardo, and Elba is famous as Napoleon’s exile site from 1814-1815.
Climate and Ecology
Elba Island has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters (average 10°C in January) and hot, dry summers (average 25°C in July). Sea temperatures reach 25°C in August, with low rainfall in summer. The ecology features Mediterranean vegetation like olive groves and vineyards, with pine forests around Capoliveri, shaped by the island’s mild climate.