The Kaveltorp mine field is one of the many skarn deposits in the central region of Sweden. The deposit was mined for Cu, Zn and Pb as main elements. In terms of mineralogy and geology it is quite a complex location. Ödman listed 6 different skarn types present in Kaveltorp, see the reference below. The material collected on the dumps reflects the complexity, and it is important to remember that any sample can only be a small part of the big picture.
The first sample is a coarse gangue without any fibrous minerals visible.
Polished slab of one of the ore types (11 cm wide):
The sample from the slab above contains mostly galena (Gn) and sphalerite (Sph) in a green host rock. In some occasions copper ore minerals can be found in this ore type. The part shown here contains pyrrhotite (Po), chalcopyrite (Ccp), cubanite (Cub) and most likely isocubanite (Icb). Nic //, Obj. 20x, air:
Sphalerite occurs in form of larger masses, as well as in form of sphalerite stars, here in Ccp and Cub. Nic. //, Obj. 20x, air
Chalcopyrite with cubanite lamellae. Polished section, Nic. //, Obj. 20x, air.
The same with Nic. +, Obj. 20x, air:
The same with Nic. +, 90° rotated, Obj. 20x, air:
The second sample is more complex in structure. The ore itself is very dense and when hit with a hammer it almost sound metallic. The matrix consists of interlocked fibers of skarn minerals, the ore minerals are filling the gaps.
Polished slab of one of the ore types (13 cm wide):
An enlarged view from the slab above, width 25 mm:
The ore minerals present are galena (light gray), sphalerite (medium gray), chalcopyrite (yellow), cubanite (beige). This picture is a combination of six separate fotos. Nic //, Obj. 20x, air, 100 µm scale bar:
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Galena (Gn), sphalerite (Sph), chalcopyrite (Ccp), cubanite (Cub). Nic //, Obj. 20x, air, 100 µm bar:
Chalcopyrite. Note the structure! Nic //, Obj. 20x, air, 100 µm bar:
Galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, filling the gaps between the skarn matrix. Nic //, Obj. 20x, air, 100 µm bar:
Galena. Nic //, Obj. 20x, air, 100 µm bar:
Galena. Nic //, Obj. 20x, air, 100 µm bar:
For further informations on the region this article might be interesting:
Ödman, Olof H.: Erzmikroskopische Untersuchung der Sulfiderze von Kaveltorp in Mittelschweden.
GFF.55.(1933).563-611.