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Iwami mine (Iwami-ginzan), Ōda City, Shimane Prefecture, Japani
Regional Level Types
Iwami mine (Iwami-ginzan)Mine
Ōda CityCity
Shimane PrefecturePrefecture
JapanCountry

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02335780017272244984458.jpg
Ryugenji Mine, 2013

Iwami mine, Ōda City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
02335780017272244984458.jpg
Ryugenji Mine, 2013

Iwami mine, Ōda City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
02335780017272244984458.jpg
Ryugenji Mine, 2013

Iwami mine, Ōda City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
35° 9' 51'' North , 132° 26' 30'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
35.16444,132.44167
GRN:
N24E78
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
Cfa : Humid subtropical climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Ōdachō-ōda31,867 (2017)6.7km
Gōtsuchō24,597 (2017)26.2km
Izumo89,286 (2017)37.1km
Hamada45,750 (2017)45.2km
Hiratachō28,154 (2017)45.3km
Mindat Locality ID:
108163
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:108163:6
GUID (UUID V4):
0


The area commonly known as the Iwami "mine" is actually a small mining district which historically had about 600 adits and shafts. Epithermal vein-type gold-silver-copper deposit which, during part of the Middle Ages, produced a third of the world's annual silver output. The mine was the largest silver mine in Japanese history.
The Ag-Cu veins are hosted in a dacitic intrusive body at the deep portion of the Eikyu area, and veinlets with disseminated Ag mineralization in dacitic tuff breccia at a shallow portion of the Fukuishi area. Hydrothermal alteration associated with the silver mineralization is characterized by intense potassium metasomatism with oxidizing conditions.

Discovered around 1300, reopened in 1525. Iwami-ginzan silver mine produced an enormous amount of silver following its discovery in 1309. Last worked from 1891 to 1919 or 1923 (sources differ). 450,000 tons of kuroko type ore were mined from 1957-1984.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.


Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

34 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded


Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Acanthite
Formula: Ag2S
ⓘ Aikinite
Formula: CuPbBiS3
ⓘ Baryte
Formula: BaSO4
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ Chenite
Formula: Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘ Chlorargyrite
Formula: AgCl
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
ⓘ Covellite
Formula: CuS
ⓘ Enargite
Formula: Cu3AsS4
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Hessite
Formula: Ag2Te
ⓘ Jalpaite
Formula: Ag3CuS2
ⓘ Luzonite
Formula: Cu3AsS4
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘ Matildite
Formula: AgBiS2
ⓘ Mckinstryite
Formula: Ag5-xCu3+xS4
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite
Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ Native Copper
Formula: Cu
ⓘ Native Gold
Formula: Au
ⓘ Native Gold var. Electrum
Formula: (Au,Ag)
ⓘ Native Silver
Formula: Ag
ⓘ Pearceite
Formula: [Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]
ⓘ Petzite
Formula: Ag3AuTe2
ⓘ Polybasite
Formula: [Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Rhodochrosite
Formula: MnCO3
ⓘ Siderite
Formula: FeCO3
ⓘ 'Smectite Group'
Formula: A0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
ⓘ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS
ⓘ Stromeyerite
Formula: AgCuS
ⓘ Sylvanite
Formula: AgAuTe4
ⓘ 'Tennantite Subgroup'
Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S
ⓘ 'Tetrahedrite Group'
Formula: M2(A6)M1(B4 C2)X3(D4)S1(Y12)S2(Z)
ⓘ 'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'
Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S
ⓘ Wittichenite
Formula: Cu3BiS3

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Copper1.AA.05Cu
ⓘNative Gold
var. Electrum		1.AA.05(Au,Ag)
ⓘ1.AA.05Au
ⓘNative Silver1.AA.05Ag
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘAcanthite2.BA.35Ag2S
ⓘMckinstryite2.BA.40Ag5-xCu3+xS4
ⓘStromeyerite2.BA.40AgCuS
ⓘJalpaite2.BA.45Ag3CuS2
ⓘHessite2.BA.60Ag2Te
ⓘPetzite2.BA.75Ag3AuTe2
ⓘCovellite2.CA.05aCuS
ⓘSphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘSylvanite2.EA.05AgAuTe4
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘWittichenite2.GA.20Cu3BiS3
ⓘ'Tennantite Subgroup'2.GB.05Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S
ⓘ'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'2.GB.05Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S
ⓘPearceite2.GB.15[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]
ⓘPolybasite2.GB.15[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]
ⓘAikinite2.HB.05aCuPbBiS3
ⓘMatildite2.JA.20AgBiS2
ⓘEnargite2.KA.05Cu3AsS4
ⓘLuzonite2.KA.10Cu3AsS4
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘChlorargyrite3.AA.15AgCl
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘRhodochrosite5.AB.05MnCO3
ⓘSiderite5.AB.05FeCO3
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘBaryte7.AD.35BaSO4
ⓘChenite7.BC.70Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘMuscovite
var. Illite		9.EC.15K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Unclassified
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Smectite Group'-A0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
ⓘ'Tetrahedrite Group'-M2(A6)M1(B4 C2)X3(D4)S1(Y12)S2(Z)

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ ChenitePb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ Smectite GroupA0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cⓘ RhodochrositeMnCO3
Cⓘ SideriteFeCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ BaryteBaSO4
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ ChenitePb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ RhodochrositeMnCO3
Oⓘ SideriteFeCO3
Oⓘ Smectite GroupA0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
SSulfur
Sⓘ AcanthiteAg2S
Sⓘ AikiniteCuPbBiS3
Sⓘ BaryteBaSO4
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ ChenitePb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ CovelliteCuS
Sⓘ EnargiteCu3AsS4
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ JalpaiteAg3CuS2
Sⓘ LuzoniteCu3AsS4
Sⓘ MatilditeAgBiS2
Sⓘ MckinstryiteAg5-xCu3+xS4
Sⓘ Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Sⓘ Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ SphaleriteZnS
Sⓘ StromeyeriteAgCuS
Sⓘ Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S
Sⓘ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
Sⓘ WitticheniteCu3BiS3
Sⓘ Tetrahedrite GroupM2(A6)M1(B4 C2)X3(D4)S1(Y12)S2(Z)
ClChlorine
Clⓘ ChlorargyriteAgCl
KPotassium
Kⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
MnManganese
Mnⓘ RhodochrositeMnCO3
FeIron
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ SideriteFeCO3
CuCopper
Cuⓘ AikiniteCuPbBiS3
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ ChenitePb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
Cuⓘ CovelliteCuS
Cuⓘ Native CopperCu
Cuⓘ EnargiteCu3AsS4
Cuⓘ JalpaiteAg3CuS2
Cuⓘ LuzoniteCu3AsS4
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cuⓘ MckinstryiteAg5-xCu3+xS4
Cuⓘ Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Cuⓘ Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Cuⓘ StromeyeriteAgCuS
Cuⓘ Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S
Cuⓘ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
Cuⓘ WitticheniteCu3BiS3
ZnZinc
Znⓘ SphaleriteZnS
AsArsenic
Asⓘ EnargiteCu3AsS4
Asⓘ LuzoniteCu3AsS4
Asⓘ Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Asⓘ Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)As4S12S
AgSilver
Agⓘ AcanthiteAg2S
Agⓘ ChlorargyriteAgCl
Agⓘ Native Gold var. Electrum(Au,Ag)
Agⓘ HessiteAg2Te
Agⓘ JalpaiteAg3CuS2
Agⓘ MatilditeAgBiS2
Agⓘ MckinstryiteAg5-xCu3+xS4
Agⓘ Pearceite[Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Agⓘ PetziteAg3AuTe2
Agⓘ Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Agⓘ Native SilverAg
Agⓘ StromeyeriteAgCuS
Agⓘ SylvaniteAgAuTe4
SbAntimony
Sbⓘ Polybasite[Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4]
Sbⓘ Tetrahedrite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
TeTellurium
Teⓘ HessiteAg2Te
Teⓘ PetziteAg3AuTe2
Teⓘ SylvaniteAgAuTe4
BaBarium
Baⓘ BaryteBaSO4
AuGold
Auⓘ Native Gold var. Electrum(Au,Ag)
Auⓘ Native GoldAu
Auⓘ PetziteAg3AuTe2
Auⓘ SylvaniteAgAuTe4
PbLead
Pbⓘ AikiniteCuPbBiS3
Pbⓘ ChenitePb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS
BiBismuth
Biⓘ AikiniteCuPbBiS3
Biⓘ MatilditeAgBiS2
Biⓘ WitticheniteCu3BiS3

Localities in this Region

Japan

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Amur PlateTectonic Plate
Eurasian Plate
Japan

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Maki, T., & Akasaka, M. (1990). Ore Minerals of Iwami Kuroko Deposit, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Mem. Fac. Sci. Shimane Univ, 24, 89-112.
Kamitani, M., Okumura, K., Teraoka, Y., Miyano, S., Watanabe, Y. (2007) Mineral Resources Map of East Asia, Geological Survey of Japan.
Akasaka, M., Komuro, H., & Ohira, H. (2007, August). Geology, mineralogy, and genesis of the Iwami-Ginzan silver mine, Japan. In Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta (Vol. 71, No. 15, Pp. A8-a8). the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, England: Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd.
en.wikipedia.org (n.d.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwami_Ginzan_Silver_Mine
Nanshi Zeng, Eiji Izawa, Koichiro Watanabe and Yoshinobu Motomura (2010): Hydrothermal Alteration Related to Silver Mineralization at the Iwami Silver Deposit, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Resource Geology 60, 234-248.
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