The Valzergues book

THE VALZERGUES FLUORITE MINE
Etienne Guillou-Gotkovsky

This book is a monograph of a mine of fluorite. However, it contains many informations which are common to Valzergues and other hydrothermal ore deposits in the world.

This book is divided into four parts. Some chapters describe topics which are common to other fluorite mines.

The book : "The Valzergues fluorite Mine" - Aveyron - France

The book entitled La Mine de fluorite de Valzergues was rewarded in 2000 by the price Paul GRENIER .
(SAGA- Natural History Museum of Paris)

FIRST PART : GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

In this first part, the geological history of this mine located 12 km the south of Decazeville (Aveyron) is described. The development of hydrothermal veins in Valzergues (and in other mines having the same morphology) is explained there. Finally, the mine of Valzergues is located in its context: the "Massif Central".

Valzergues amber fluorite is world known...

A major part of the Yellow Vein

Geographical presentation and historic insight

1.geographical location
2.historic insight

Geological presentation

1.Geology of Aveyron
2.Basement veins
- Hydrothermal vein
- Paragenesis
- Mines of fluorite in "Massif Central"
- Age and conditions of genesis of veins
- Gitology of the Valzergues fluorite mine
(veins…)

SECOND PART: VEINS AND MINE WORKINGS

This second part is an approach of all the mining works done in Valzergues fluorite mine. This part is also devoted to crystal locations.

Outcrops
Mining works in the main vein
The Yellow Vein

If Valzergues site is well-known over the world, it's because numerous top-class cristals have been extracted from this vein.

1.Geographical situation
2.Description
3.Tectonics
4.Some points about morphology of the geodes (vugs)
5.Distribution of the different qualities of fluorite

Blue fluorite on matrix, from the main mine of Valzergues.

Blue fluorite from the mine.

THIRD PART: HUMAN MEMORY

Valzergues mine of fluorite knew a history "in dotted lines". Men, women and even kids worked there. In these pages I attempt to share some facts of their story in order to not forget them...

Companies
1.Prospection by Victor Lassalle and works followed by the instatement of the S.M.V.
2.The SECME
3.The "Gagnières" company
4.The mining company of Caspanelles
5.The CFMD
6.The SMB
7.SARL André Castaingts
8.Yves Delmas Mining exploitation
9.SOGEREM
Workers and production of the Valzergues fluorite mine.
The Valzergues fluorspar and its use.

In this chapter, you will discover the greatest industrial uses of fluorspar through the previous century.

FOURTH PART : MINERALOGY

This last part is interesting for everyone: collectors of fluorite and people discovering crystals for the first time. A large panorama of some crystals which are extracted from this mine and contributed to the world fame of this mine, is drawn up.

Mineralisations

1.Fluorite
2.Quartz
3.Barite
4.Other mineralisations
5.Order of succession for mineralisations

Conclusions, Annexas and Glossary complete this book. They bring a little more light on the works done in the various fluorite mines and the industrial uses. Unfortunately, these data are not always well-known. Finally, an important bibliography will bring many references to you, on the local as well as on the general point of view.

The Valzergues Fluorite Mine (Aveyron)

Author : Etienne Guillou-Gotkovsky

Book 238 pages
format 21 x 29.7 (A4)
printed on art shining paper
colf fabric and gilding with mark page.
Glazed paper jacket

ISBN 2-9814462-0-9

Price : 44.21€

Inside the book "The Valzergues Fluorite Mine"

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31/12/09