Ampliación a Victoria Mine
Navajún, La Rioja, Spain
Mina Ampliación a Victoria, Navajún, La Rioja, España
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Ampliación a Victoria Mine in Navajún, La Rioja, Spain, is famous for its high-quality pyrite crystals, discovered in 1965 and still active for collectors.
It is located in a small village in northern Spain, part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, with a continental climate and rich biodiversity.
The mine produces mainly pyrite, with some gypsum, chlorite, and manganese minerals, set in sedimentary rock like marl or claystone.
Local culture centers around the mine, with pyrite specimens displayed in global museums, and the area is known for clear starry skies and local festivals.
Geographic Location
The mine is in Navajún, a tiny village with just 8 residents, nestled in La Rioja, northern Spain, near the borders with Soria and Navarre. This region, famed for wine, includes the Alhama Valley, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and is accessible via a 3.3 km dirt road from the village, requiring prior arrangement with the owners (Mindat.org).
Minerals Produced
Pyrite is the star here, known for large, sharp cubic crystals, sometimes reaching 20 cm, with rare cubo-octahedron and pyritohedron forms. Other minerals like gypsum, chlorite, and manganese are present but less notable (Piritas de Navajún).
Geological Structure and Mining History
The mine sits in sedimentary rock, likely marl or claystone, where pyrite formed during diagenesis in reducing environments. Discovered in 1965, it has been exploited solely for collecting and decorating, continuing to produce world-class specimens (Mindat.org).
Local Culture and Climate
Navajún's culture revolves around its pyrite, a symbol of La Rioja, with specimens in museums like the London Natural History Museum. Local festivals include San Blas and La Virgen, and the area is a Starlight Reserve for stargazing. The climate is continental, with temperatures from 11.8°C to 31.8°C and 300–500 mm annual precipitation, featuring the Cierzo wind in winter (La Rioja Turismo).