The Søftestad iron deposit was already known by local farmers by the end of the 1770's. The CEO of the Næs jernverk, Ulrich Hetting was invited to study the deposit, and soon after prospecting commenced.
In the meantime the Bolvik verk company had acquired the mining rights, and a legal fight broke out over who actually owned the rights. The Bolvik verk won, but it wasn't before 1807 that the brothers Jacob and Niels Aall started prospecting again. In 1811 the minister of state Reventlow visited the deposit, and gave a letter of permission to the brothers to mine the deposit. However, the ore contained too much phosphor, and was considered to be useless.

The deposit came into possession of the Næs Jernverk until 1916, but was taken over by the newly started A/S Søftestad Gruber company. Prospecting commenced 1916-17 and lasted until 1921.
In 1937-38 mining was taken up again, and lasted until 1965, when most of the ore was exploited.
During the period 1939-1965 870 Kt of ore was produced, resulting in 690,3 Kt of export quality ore.
During prospecting in the period 1913-1920, 9808 tons of export quality ore were produced, giving a total of 700.108 tons of ore of export quality.
The ore of export quality contained 54.13% Fe and 1.32% P (3.02% P2O5).

The LIDAR map shows mining-related features over a distance of more than 400 m.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

10 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ 'Allanite Group'

Formula: (A1²⁺REE³⁺)(M1³⁺M2³⁺M3²⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ Anhydrite

Formula: CaSO₄

Description: A few well crystalized rather large samples are in the collection of Mineralogical Museum of Oslo, possibly found in 1958.

References:

Mitchell, Roger H. (1967) The Precambrian rocks of the Telemark area in south central Norway. V. The Nissedal supracrustal series. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift [Norwegian Journal of Geology], 47 (4) 295-332

Raade, Gunnar (1972) Anhydrite from Søftestad, Nissedal. Mineralogisk-Geologisk Museum - Universitetet i Oslo- Interne notater, Geologisk Museums venner. 41

Neumann, Henrich (1985) Norges Mineraler [The Minerals of Norway]. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter Vol. 68. Universitetsforlaget p.104

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ 'Apophyllite Group'

Formula: AB₄[Si₈O₂₂]X · 8H₂O

References:

(1984) 2. Søftestad gruver. In Guide til gruver og mineralforekomster i kommunene Drangedal, Nissedal, Tokke og Kvitseid i Vest-Telemark, Norge [Guide to mines and mineral deposits in the municipalities of Drangedal, Nissedal, Tokke and Kvitseid in Vest-Telemark, Norway]. Froland Mineral Center. p.8-9.

ⓘ Beryl

Formula: Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ 'Biotite'

Formula: K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ Bornite

Formula: Cu₅FeS₄

Description: Bornite occure in smal amounts as primary mineral.

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Epidote

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ Fluorite

Formula: CaF₂

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ 'Garnet Group'

Formula: X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ Gypsum

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

References:

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

ⓘ 'Hornblende Root Name Group'

Formula: ◻Ca₂(Z²⁺₄Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂

ⓘ 'K Feldspar var. Adularia'

Formula: KAlSi₃O₈

References:

Annar Engell collection

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

References:

aps.ngu.no (n.d.) https://aps.ngu.no/pls/oradb/minres_deposit_fakta_NY_KS.Main?p_objid=5578&p_spraak=E

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ 'Zeolite Group'

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Bornite	2.BA.15	Cu₅FeS₄
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘ	Fluorite	3.AB.25	CaF₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Anhydrite	7.AD.30	CaSO₄
ⓘ	Gypsum	7.CD.40	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Epidote	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Beryl	9.CJ.05	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
ⓘ	'Zeolite Group'	9.G0.
Unclassified
ⓘ	'K Feldspar var. Adularia'	-	KAlSi₃O₈
ⓘ	'Apophyllite Group'	-	AB₄[Si₈O₂₂]X · 8H₂O
ⓘ	'Biotite'	-	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Hornblende Root Name Group'	-	◻Ca₂(Z²⁺₄Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Garnet Group'	-	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ	'Allanite Group'	-	(A1²⁺REE³⁺)(M1³⁺M2³⁺M3²⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Apophyllite Group	AB₄[Si₈O₂₂]X · 8H₂O
H	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
H	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
H	ⓘ Allanite Group	(A1²⁺REE³⁺)(M1³⁺M2³⁺M3²⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Be	Beryllium
Be	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
O	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
O	ⓘ Apophyllite Group	AB₄[Si₈O₂₂]X · 8H₂O
O	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
O	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
O	ⓘ Allanite Group	(A1²⁺REE³⁺)(M1³⁺M2³⁺M3²⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
F	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
F	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
Al	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Al	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
Si	ⓘ Apophyllite Group	AB₄[Si₈O₂₂]X · 8H₂O
Si	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Si	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Si	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
Si	ⓘ Allanite Group	(A1²⁺REE³⁺)(M1³⁺M2³⁺M3²⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
S	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
S	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia	KAlSi₃O₈
K	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
Ca	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Hornblende Root Name Group	◻Ca₂(Z₄²⁺Z³⁺)(AlSi₇O₂₂)(OH,F,Cl)₂
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Fe	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄

Other Databases

Link to Geological Survey of Norway:	5578

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Baltic Shield (Fennoscandian Shield)Shield

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate

Baltic Shield
- Sveconorwegian BeltShield

EuropeContinent

Norway

⭔Vestfold og Telemark (2020-2023)County

ScandinaviaRegion

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References

foreninger.uio.no (n.d.) https://foreninger.uio.no/ngf/ngt/pdfs/NGT_47_4_295-332.pdf

www.sciencedirect.com (n.d.) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169136815300755

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Søftestad Iron Mines, Søftestad, Nissedal, Telemark, NorwayiRegional Level TypesSøftestad Iron MinesGroup of Mines SøftestadFarm NissedalMunicipality TelemarkCounty NorwayCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

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Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Søftestad Iron Mines, Søftestad, Nissedal, Telemark, Norway i
Regional Level Types
Søftestad Iron Mines Group of Mines
Søftestad Farm
Nissedal Municipality
Telemark County
Norway Country