Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Monazite-(Ce) vs. Andalusite
It's a showdown with rare earth elemental ore Monazite-(Ce) and index mineral Andalusite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Alp Cancian asbestos mines, Selva, Poschiavo, Bernina Region, Grisons, Switzerlandi
Regional Level Types
Alp Cancian asbestos minesGroup of Mines (Abandoned)
SelvaHamlet
PoschiavoMunicipality
Bernina RegionRegion
GrisonsCanton
SwitzerlandCountry

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
PhotosMapsSearch
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
46° 17' 54'' North , 10° 0' 52'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
46.29847,10.01472
GeoHash:
G#: u0pp7ukkp
GRN:
N31E06
Type:
Group of Mines (Abandoned) - last checked 2022
Köppen climate type:
ET : Tundra
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Poschiavo3,428 (2017)4.4km
Brusio1,152 (2017)9.4km
Lanzada1,365 (2014)11.6km
Caspoggio1,375 (2014)12.4km
Vassalini247 (2014)12.4km
Mindat Locality ID:
424715
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:424715:2
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Platti da Cancian; Piatte di Canciano
Other Languages:
Italian:
Miniere di asbesto di Alp Cancian (Piatte di Canciano), Selva, Poschiavo, Regione Bernina, Grigioni, Svizzera
Lombard:
Cavi da l'asbest da l'Alp Cancian (Platti da Cancian), Selva, Pusc'ciâf (Pus'ciav), Regiun Bernina, Canton Grisun, Svizera


Abandoned asbestos mines above Alp Cancian at Platti da Cancian (Piatte di Canciano).

Serpentinite is frequently crossed by metamorphic veinlets filled with fibrous chrysotile.

Nephrite-bearing clefts in serpentinite were discoverd in proximity of the mines (Schmidt, 1917; Staub, 1925). According to the analytical data reported by Schmidt, Mg content in the nephrite-forming amphibole varies from 4.18 apfu (actinolite) to 4.66 apfu (tremolite). The Swiss coordinates indicated in Dietrich & De Quervain (1968) for the nephrite occurrence are 798.370/131.410.

Black rombohedral andradite crystals in association with green lizardite and colourless to white spatic calcite have been found in the dumps (Romani, 2000; Bedognè et al., 2006).

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.


Mineral List


7 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

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

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite
Formula: ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
ⓘ 'Actinolite-Tremolite Series'
ⓘ Andradite
Formula: Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
ⓘ Andradite var. Melanite
Formula: Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chrysotile
Formula: Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘ Lizardite
Formula: Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘ Talc
Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
ⓘ Tremolite
Formula: ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘChrysotile9.00.Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘAndradite9.AD.25Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
ⓘvar. Melanite9.AD.25Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
ⓘActinolite9.DE.10◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
ⓘTremolite9.DE.10◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
ⓘTalc9.EC.05Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
ⓘLizardite9.ED.15Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
ⓘ'Actinolite-Tremolite Series'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Hⓘ ChrysotileMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Hⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Hⓘ Actinolite-Tremolite Series
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Oⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ ChrysotileMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Oⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Oⓘ Andradite var. MelaniteCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Oⓘ Actinolite-Tremolite Series
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Mgⓘ ChrysotileMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Mgⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Mgⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Mgⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Mgⓘ Actinolite-Tremolite Series
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Siⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Siⓘ ChrysotileMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Siⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Siⓘ Andradite var. MelaniteCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Siⓘ Actinolite-Tremolite Series
CaCalcium
Caⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Caⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Caⓘ Andradite var. MelaniteCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Caⓘ Actinolite-Tremolite Series
FeIron
Feⓘ Actinolite◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Feⓘ AndraditeCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Feⓘ Andradite var. MelaniteCa3Fe23+(SiO4)3
Feⓘ Actinolite-Tremolite Series

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
  • AlpsAccretionary Complex
EuropeContinent

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

Schmidt, C. (1917) Asbest und Nephrit von Poschiavo in Graubünden. Zeitschrift für praktische Geologie, 25, 77-81
Staub, R. (1925) Nephrit als Gang in Malencoserpentinit. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 5, 435
Dietrich, V., and De Quervain, F. (1968) Die Nephrit-Talklagerstätte Scortaseo (Puschlav, Kanton Graubünden). Übersicht der weiteren Nephritfunde der Schweizer Alpen insbesondere der vorkommen im Oberhalbstein (Graubünden). Beiträge zur Geologie der Schweiz, Geotechnische Serie, Lieferung 16, 78 pp.
Romani, E. (2000) Andar per cristalli - tesori nascosti. Minerali e rocce della Val Poschiavo nella raccolta del Museo Mineralogico Naturalistico di Bormio. Edizioni Grafica Colombo, Lecco, 151 pp.
Bedognè, F., Montrasio, A., and Sciesa, E. (2006) I minerali della media-alta Valtellina, delle Orobie valtellinesi e della Val Poschiavo. Aggiornamenti sulle altre località della provincia di Sondrio. Bettini, Sondrio, 255 pp.
Quick NavTopCommoditiesMineral ListRock TypesOther RegionsReferences
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 7, 2026 11:36:23 Page updated: August 10, 2025 08:35:06
Go to top of page