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Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norwayi
Regional Level Types
Vigsnes Copper MinesGroup of Mines
Karmøy IslandIsland
KarmøyMunicipality
RogalandCounty
NorwayCountry

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PhotosMapsSearch
01505610017272063457278.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
04430500017272034558186.jpg
Gypsum

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
00626800017272063465099.jpg
Sphalerite, etc.

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
01505610017272063457278.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
04430500017272034558186.jpg
Gypsum

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
00626800017272063465099.jpg
Sphalerite, etc.

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
01505610017272063457278.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
04430500017272034558186.jpg
Gypsum

Vigsnes Copper Mines, Karmøy Island, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
59° 21' 25'' North , 5° 13' 50'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
59.35722,5.23083
GeoHash:
G#: u4e9xj8uz
GRN:
N40E02
Type:
Group of Mines
Köppen climate type:
Cfb : Temperate oceanic climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Visnes609 (2013)0.4km
Vormedal2,774 (2013)5.0km
Haugesund40,321 (2012)6.6km
Vedavågen2,728 (2014)7.0km
Eike1,408 (2012)8.8km
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
ClubLocationDistance
Haugaland GeologiforeningFørde i Hordaland32km
Mindat Locality ID:
32790
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:32790:0
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
A/S Vigsnes Kobberverk
Other Languages:
Norwegian:
Vigsnes kobbergruver, Karmøy, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norge


The mines are located at the NW side of Karmøy Island. In the area it is registered about 9 mines, some adits and about 18 drifts ("synker" in Norwegian).
During the 1870s Visnes Copper Mines was one of northern Europe's largest copper mines. The copper used in construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York , USA came from from Gamle Visnes (the Old Visnes) mine (Gamlagruvå). Gamle Visnes mine being the eldest, and was worked in the period 1865 - 1894. The Rødklev Mine was then mined in the period 1899 - 1972. In 1972-1976 AS Sydvaranger Mining Company did some prospecting in the area.

1.44 mill.t. of ore grading 1.66 % Cu and 1.4 % Zn was produced. At the Vigsnes mine, six cigar- or plate-shaped ore bodies were exploited down to a depth of 732 m. The two largest of these were 400-450 m long, up to 175 m wide and with thicknesses of the order of 5-30 m. The massive sulphide ores are banded and pyrite-rich. Chalcopyrite and sphalerite are enriched in the upper parts of the sulphide bodies, and chalcopyrite is also enriched in the thinner part of these. Minor stringers/veinlets and disseminations of chalcopyrite also occur in the hanging wall. The ore deposit is hosted by a 50-60 m wide zone dominated by chlorite-rich greenschist that represents sheared dykes and lava of the Visnes Group within the Karmøy ophiolite complex. The Rødkleiv deposit (N0008) is hosted by the same sequence.


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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

20 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

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

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Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite
Formula: ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
ⓘ Albite
Formula: Na(AlSi3O8)
ⓘ 'Amphibole Supergroup'
Formula: AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
ⓘ 'Biotite'
Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
Localities: Reported from at least 8 localities in this region.
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
Localities: Reported from at least 8 localities in this region.
ⓘ Cuprite
Formula: Cu2O
ⓘ Epidote
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ Goethite
Formula: Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘ Gudmundite
Formula: FeSbS
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
Description: Fingerlong crystals has been found at level 360 m in small airfilled pockets under the waterlevel.
ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Jarosite
Formula: KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘ Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ 'Plagioclase'
Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
Localities: Reported from at least 12 localities in this region.
ⓘ Pyrrhotite
Formula: Fe1-xS
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
Localities: Reported from at least 10 localities in this region.
ⓘ Rutile
Formula: TiO2
Colour: Yellow
Description: Small up to 0,02 mm long crystals embedded in a mica slate. Most of the crystals are twinned after (301) or (101)
ⓘ Schorl
Formula: NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Description: Found at Svinøy 500 m NV of Visnes
ⓘ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS
ⓘ 'Tourmaline'
Formula: AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘSphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘPyrrhotite2.CC.10Fe1-xS
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘGudmundite2.EB.20FeSbS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘGoethite4.00.Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘCuprite4.AA.10Cu2O
ⓘMagnetite4.BB.05Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘRutile4.DB.05TiO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘJarosite7.BC.10KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘGypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘvar. Selenite7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘEpidote9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘSchorl9.CK.05NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
ⓘActinolite9.DE.10◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘvar. Sericite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘAlbite9.FA.35Na(AlSi3O8)
Unclassified
ⓘ'Amphibole Supergroup'-AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
ⓘ'Biotite'-K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Tourmaline'-AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
ⓘ'Plagioclase'-(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Hⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Hⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Hⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Hⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
BBoron
Bⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Bⓘ TourmalineAD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Oⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Oⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ CupriteCu2O
Oⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ RutileTiO2
Oⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Oⓘ TourmalineAD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Oⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
FFluorine
Fⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Fⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
NaSodium
Naⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Naⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Naⓘ Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Mgⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Alⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Alⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Alⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Siⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Siⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Siⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Siⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
SSulfur
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ GudmunditeFeSbS
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Sⓘ SphaleriteZnS
Sⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
ClChlorine
Clⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
KPotassium
Kⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Kⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Kⓘ Muscovite var. SericiteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
TiTitanium
Tiⓘ Amphibole SupergroupAB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2
Tiⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Tiⓘ RutileTiO2
FeIron
Feⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Feⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Feⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Feⓘ GudmunditeFeSbS
Feⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Feⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Feⓘ SchorlNaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
CuCopper
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ CupriteCu2O
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
ZnZinc
Znⓘ SphaleriteZnS
SbAntimony
Sbⓘ GudmunditeFeSbS
PbLead
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS

Localities in this Region

Norway
Norway

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
ScandinaviaRegion

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

Reusch, Hans (1883) Fjeldbygningen ved Viksnes kobbergrube paa Karmøen [The mountain building at the Viksnes copper mine on Karmøy]. Nyt magazin for naturvidenskaberne [New magazine for the natural sciences], 28. 90-104
Geis, H. P. (1957) Vorkommen von Pyrit und Kupferkies auf Karmøy/Norwegen. Norges geologiske undersøkelse. Bergarkivet, No.BA 3116 A., 100 pages
Geis, H.-P. (1961) Strukturelle iakttagelser ved noen norske kisforekomster. Norsk geologisk tidsskrift, 41 (2) :173-196
Gvein, Ø. (1977) Rapport vedrørende A/S Sydvaranger avd. Vigsnes kobbergruver, Rogaland. BV 1384.
Sturt, B. A., Thon, A., Furnes, H. (1980) The geology and preliminary geochemistry of the Karmøy ophiolite, S.W. Norway. Cyprus Geological Survey Department. Ophiolites, Proceedings International Ophiolite Symposium, Cyprus; 1979: 538-554
Osland, E. et al. (1986) Gruve-driften på Vigsnes 100 år/Perioden 1965-1972/Perioden 1972-1982. Kobberverkets venner, 76 s.
Scott, J.L. (1992): Mineralization in the Karmøy ophiolite, Southwest Norway. M.Sci. Thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland. 221 pp.
Torkelsen, Arne (1993) Om gruvene på Karmøy. STEIN. Nordisk magasin for populær geologi, 20 (1) 47-52
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