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{{short description|Mexican mine renowned for its giant gypsum crystals}}
[[File:Cristales cueva de Naica.JPG|thumb|Enormous [[gypsum]] crystals in a Naica cavern, found during mining. Note person at bottom right for scale.]]
[[File:Cristales cueva de Naica.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|Enormous [[gypsum]] crystals ({{chem|Ca|S|O|4| · 2 H|2|O}}) in the most spectacular Naica cavern, found during mining. Note the size of the person at the bottom right for the scale.]]
The '''Naica Mine''' of the [[Mexican state]] of [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], is a working [[Mining|mine]] that contains extremely large [[Selenite (mineral)|selenite]] [[crystals]].<ref>García-Ruiz, Juan Manuel, 2007, ''Formation of natural gypsum megacrystals in Naica, Mexico,'' Geology, 35(4): p. 327 {{doi|10.1130/G23393A.1}}</ref> Located in [[Naica]] in the municipality of [[Saucillo (municipality)|Saucillo]], the Naica Mine is a [[lead]], [[zinc]] and [[silver]] mine
The '''Naica Mine''' of the [[Mexican state]] of [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], is a [[lead]], [[zinc]] and [[silver]] [[Mining|mine]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1130/G23393A.1|title=Formation of natural gypsum megacrystals in Naica, Mexico|journal=Geology|volume=35|issue=4|pages=327|year=2007|last1=García-Ruiz|first1=Juan Manuel|last2=Villasuso|first2=Roberto|last3=Ayora|first3=Carlos|last4=Canals|first4=Angels|last5=Otálora|first5=Fermín|bibcode=2007Geo....35..327G|hdl=10261/3439|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Ultraslow growth rates of giant gypsum crystals |journal=PNAS |date=2011 |volume=108 |issue=38 |pages=15721–6 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1105233108 |pmid=21911400 |pmc=3179101 |last1=Van Driessche |first1=A. E. S. |last2=Garcia-Ruiz |first2=J. M. |last3=Tsukamoto |first3=K. |last4=Patino-Lopez |first4=L. D. |last5=Satoh |first5=H. |doi-access=free }}</ref> Located in [[Naica]] in the municipality of [[Saucillo (municipality)|Saucillo]], the Naica Mine is owned by [[Peñoles|Industrias Peñoles]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The Naica Mina |url=http://www.naica.com.mx/english/internas/interna2_1.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125093654/http://www.naica.com.mx/english/internas/interna2_1.htm |archive-date=25 November 2010}}</ref> the world's largest silver producer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inicio |url=https://www.penoles.com.mx/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Industrias Peñoles |language=es}}</ref><ref>Maple mine, known also as Naica, [http://www.penoles.com.mx/wPortal/faces/English_Operations/Page_47b3e5c7_149cf5294d2__7f55?_adf.ctrl-state=1da0swretc_100&wcnav.model=%2Foracle%2Fwebcenter%2Fportalapp%2Fnavigations%2FNavRIEn&_afrLoop=297850492261365 "under Peñoles control since 1964."], Corporate mining operations, Retrieved June 15, 2019.</ref> [[Cave of the Crystals|Caverns]] discovered during mining operations contain gigantic crystals of {{chem|Ca|S|O|4|&nbsp;· 2 H|2|O}} ([[calcium sulfate]] di[[hydrate]], [[gypsum]], also sometimes called [[Selenite (mineral)|selenite]]. Peñoles announced in October 2015 that it was indefinitely suspending operations due to uncontrollable flooding at the Naica Mine.<ref>{{cite news|title=Penoles suspends operations at Naica mine in northern Mexico|date=13 October 2015|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/mexico-penoles-idUSL1N12D1KL20151013|work=Reuters|accessdate=14 October 2015}}</ref>
operated by [[Peñoles|Industrias Peñoles]], Mexico's largest lead producer.<ref>[http://www.penoles.com.mx/penoles/ingles/about_penoles/about_penoles.php "Naica: largest lead producing mine in Mexico"]</ref>
[[Cave of the Crystals|Caverns]] discovered during mining operations contain crystals of selenite ([[gypsum]]) as large as {{convert|4|ft|m|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} in diameter and {{convert|50|ft|m|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} long. Peñoles announced in October 2015 that it was indefinitely suspending operations at Naica Mine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Penoles suspends operations at Naica mine in northern Mexico|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/13/mexico-penoles-idUSL1N12D1KL20151013|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=14 October 2015}}</ref>


The peak underground air temperature was 58°C (136°F) with 100% [[relative humidity]], which rapidly exposed the visitors to [[hyperthermia]] hazard and caused breathing difficulties. Because of the heat, unprotected researchers could only stay up to 10 minutes inside the cave. Longer visits required the use of a special suit fitted with a cooling system (ice reserve in a backpack with cooled water recirculating in polymer tubes installed over all the body surface) and delivering fresh air for easier breathing. The visits were limited to about half an hour, the time needed to melt the ice reserves.
Currently, the high temperature is 58° C (136° F) with 99% humidity, which interferes with breathing and increases the risk of [[asphyxiation]]. Because of this, researchers require specialized suits with an oxygen supply to survive working in the environment.


==Cave of the Crystals==
==Cave of the Crystals==
{{main|Cave of the Crystals}}
{{main|Cave of the Crystals}}
[[File:Naica_Ubicación_de_las_cuevas_en_la_mina.jpg|thumb|Location of the [[Cave of the Crystals|Swords and Crystal caves]] with the gypsum crystals within the idealized block diagram of Naica mine]]
[[File:Naica_Ubicación_de_las_cuevas_en_la_mina.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Location of the [[Cave of the Crystals|Swords and Crystal caves]] with the gypsum crystals within the conceptual block diagram of Naica mine]]
Thus Cave of Crystals is a cave approximately {{convert|1000|ft|m|-1|abbr=on|order=flip}} below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine. The chamber contains giant selenite [[crystals]], some of the largest natural crystals ever found.<ref>[http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/shea-text National Geographic, 2008. Cavern of Crystal Giants]</ref><ref name=NG2007>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070406-giant-crystals.html National Geographic, 2007. Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved]</ref>
The Cave of the Crystals is a cave approximately {{convert|1000|ft|m|-1|abbr=on|order=flip}} below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine, about {{convert|109|m|ft|adj=on}} long, with a volume of {{convert|5000|to|6000|m3|ft3}}.<ref name=survey>{{cite journal |last1=Badino |first1=Giovanni |last2=Sanna |first2=Laura |title=The Naica caves survey. |journal=International Congress of SpeleologyProceceedings |date=1 July 2009 |pages=1764–1769 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309412211 |access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> The chamber contains giant selenite [[crystals]], some of the largest natural crystals ever found.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081012045116/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/shea-text National Geographic, 2008. Cavern of Crystal Giants].</ref><ref name="NG2007">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070415084741/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070406-giant-crystals.html National Geographic, 2007. Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved].</ref> The largest is {{convert|11.40|m|ft}}, with a volume of about {{convert|5|m3|ft3}}, and an estimated mass of 12 tonnes.<ref name=survey />

The selenite crystals were formed by [[hydrothermal]] fluids emanating from the [[magma]] chambers below. The cavern was discovered while the miners were drilling through a newly drained area. The caves are closed to the public, and remain closed after a worker tried to enter the cave to steal some of the selenite, only to suffocate and die in the cave's humid and inhospitable atmosphere.<ref>http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/danger-and-wonder-nat-geos-giant-crystal-cave</ref> After enough research on the crystals has been carried out, some of the chambers will be allowed to flood again and continue the process of crystal growth.
The selenite crystals were formed by [[hydrothermal]] fluids heated by the [[magma]] chamber below. The cavern was discovered while the miners were drilling through a newly drained area. The caves are closed to the public, and remain closed after a worker tried to enter the cave to steal some of the selenite, only to suffocate and die in the cave's humid and inhospitable atmosphere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/danger-and-wonder-nat-geos-giant-crystal-cave|title = Danger and wonder in Nat Geo's "Giant Crystal Cave"}}</ref>

Reports in 2017 stated that scientists had found "long-dormant microbes" in the crystals and removed them for further research. The cave was closed in 2015 and some of the chambers were allowed to flood again to continue the process of crystal growth.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-18 |title=Naica's crystal caves hold long-dormant life |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39013829 |access-date=2024-05-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> If the mining company decides to open another entrance, researchers might again enter to continue their work, according to a February 2019 report.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naica’s crystal cave captivates chemists |url=https://cen.acs.org/physical-chemistry/geochemistry/Naicas-crystal-cave-captivates-chemists/97/i6 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Chemical & Engineering News |language=en}}</ref>


==The Cave of Swords==
==The Cave of Swords==
The Cave of Swords is another chamber in the Naica Mine, also containing gypsum crystals but each "only" about a meter long, due to the fact that these crystals are younger and had been growing for much less time by the time they were discovered.<ref name=NG2007/>
The Cave of Swords (''Cueva de Espadas'') is the second-largest chamber in the Naica Mine, at {{convert|104|m|ft|adj=on}} long, with a volume of {{convert|1400|m3|ft3}}.<ref name=survey/> It also contains gypsum crystals that are each about a meter long, due to the fact that these crystals are younger and had been growing for much less time by the time they were discovered in 1910.<ref name=NG2007/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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|File:Sphalerite-Galena-228313.jpg|[[Sphalerite]] and [[galena]] ore specimen from the Naica mine. Size: {{convert|4.7|x|3.6|x|2.6|cm|in|abbr=on|frac=4}}.
|File:Sphalerite-Galena-228313.jpg|[[Sphalerite]] and [[galena]] ore specimen from the Naica mine. Size: {{convert|4.7|x|3.6|x|2.6|cm|in|abbr=on|frac=4}}.
}}
}}

==See also==
⚫
*[[Wikibooks:Wikijunior:Let's Talk about Crystallization in the Naica Mine/1 - Naica Is in Mexico|Let's Talk about Crystallization in the Naica Mine]], at Wikijunior books for children


==References==
==References==
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<!-- Please don't add more links to the '''Crystal Caves'''. This article is about the mine itself. See [[Cave of the Crystals]] -->
<!-- Please don't add more links to the '''Crystal Caves'''. This article is about the mine itself. See [[Cave of the Crystals]] -->
{{Commons category|Naica Mine}}
{{Commons category|Naica Mine}}
*[http://www.penoles.com.mx/penoles/ingles/about_penoles/profile/divisions/mines/detail_ingles.php?mina=6 Naica mine] at [[Peñoles]]
*[https://www.penoles.com.mx/en/our-operations/mining-units/naica.html Naica mine] at [[Peñoles]]
*[http://www.mindat.org/loc-16778.html Naica Mine] at [[Mindat.org]]
*[http://www.mindat.org/loc-16778.html Naica Mine] at [[Mindat.org]]
*[http://www.naica.com.mx/english/index.htm Naica Project], comprehensive website on the Crystal Caves with geology, history, photos and videos
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110225180318/http://naica.com.mx/english/index.htm Naica Project], comprehensive website on the Crystal Caves with geology, history, photos and videos
*{{cite web|url=http://www.naica.com.mx/ingles/proyecto.htm|title=Naica Crystals Project|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107121804/http://www.naica.com.mx/ingles/proyecto.htm|archive-date=2007-01-07}}
⚫
* [[Wikibooks:Wikijunior:Let's Talk about Crystallization in the Naica Mine/1 - Naica Is in Mexico|Let's Talk about Crystallization in the Naica Mine]], at Wikijunior books for children


{{Coord|27|51|3|N|105|29|47|W|region:MX-CHH_type:landmark_source:wikimapia| display=title}}
{{Coord|27|51|3|N|105|29|47|W|region:MX-CHH_type:landmark_source:wikimapia| display=title}}

Latest revision as of 18:07, 6 June 2024

Enormous gypsum crystals (CaSO
4 · 2 H
2O) in the most spectacular Naica cavern, found during mining. Note the size of the person at the bottom right for the scale.

The Naica Mine of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, is a lead, zinc and silver mine.[1][2] Located in Naica in the municipality of Saucillo, the Naica Mine is owned by Industrias Peñoles,[3] the world's largest silver producer.[4][5] Caverns discovered during mining operations contain gigantic crystals of CaSO
4 · 2 H
2O (calcium sulfate dihydrate, gypsum, also sometimes called selenite. Peñoles announced in October 2015 that it was indefinitely suspending operations due to uncontrollable flooding at the Naica Mine.[6]

The peak underground air temperature was 58°C (136°F) with 100% relative humidity, which rapidly exposed the visitors to hyperthermia hazard and caused breathing difficulties. Because of the heat, unprotected researchers could only stay up to 10 minutes inside the cave. Longer visits required the use of a special suit fitted with a cooling system (ice reserve in a backpack with cooled water recirculating in polymer tubes installed over all the body surface) and delivering fresh air for easier breathing. The visits were limited to about half an hour, the time needed to melt the ice reserves.

Cave of the Crystals

[edit]
Main article: Cave of the Crystals
Location of the Swords and Crystal caves with the gypsum crystals within the conceptual block diagram of Naica mine

The Cave of the Crystals is a cave approximately 300 m (1,000 ft) below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine, about 109-metre (358 ft) long, with a volume of 5,000 to 6,000 cubic metres (180,000 to 210,000 cu ft).[7] The chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found.[8][9] The largest is 11.40 metres (37.4 ft), with a volume of about 5 cubic metres (180 cu ft), and an estimated mass of 12 tonnes.[7]

The selenite crystals were formed by hydrothermal fluids heated by the magma chamber below. The cavern was discovered while the miners were drilling through a newly drained area. The caves are closed to the public, and remain closed after a worker tried to enter the cave to steal some of the selenite, only to suffocate and die in the cave's humid and inhospitable atmosphere.[10]

Reports in 2017 stated that scientists had found "long-dormant microbes" in the crystals and removed them for further research. The cave was closed in 2015 and some of the chambers were allowed to flood again to continue the process of crystal growth.[11] If the mining company decides to open another entrance, researchers might again enter to continue their work, according to a February 2019 report.[12]

The Cave of Swords

[edit]

The Cave of Swords (Cueva de Espadas) is the second-largest chamber in the Naica Mine, at 104-metre (341 ft) long, with a volume of 1,400 cubic metres (49,000 cu ft).[7] It also contains gypsum crystals that are each about a meter long, due to the fact that these crystals are younger and had been growing for much less time by the time they were discovered in 1910.[9]

[edit]
Crystals from the Naica mine
  • Selenite crystals from Naica mine. Scale unknown.
    Selenite crystals from Naica mine. Scale unknown.
  • Green fluorite framed by white calcite, Naica Mine, mined in the 1980s. Size: 5.5 cm × 5.1 cm × 4.4 cm (2+1⁄4 in × 2 in × 1+3⁄4 in).
    Green fluorite framed by white calcite, Naica Mine, mined in the 1980s. Size: 5.5 cm × 5.1 cm × 4.4 cm (2+1⁄4 in × 2 in × 1+3⁄4 in).
  • Sphalerite and galena ore specimen from the Naica mine. Size: 4.7 cm × 3.6 cm × 2.6 cm (1+3⁄4 in × 1+1⁄2 in × 1 in).
    Sphalerite and galena ore specimen from the Naica mine. Size: 4.7 cm × 3.6 cm × 2.6 cm (1+3⁄4 in × 1+1⁄2 in × 1 in).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ García-Ruiz, Juan Manuel; Villasuso, Roberto; Ayora, Carlos; Canals, Angels; Otálora, Fermín (2007). "Formation of natural gypsum megacrystals in Naica, Mexico". Geology. 35 (4): 327. Bibcode:2007Geo....35..327G. doi:10.1130/G23393A.1. hdl:10261/3439.
  2. ^ Van Driessche, A. E. S.; Garcia-Ruiz, J. M.; Tsukamoto, K.; Patino-Lopez, L. D.; Satoh, H. (2011). "Ultraslow growth rates of giant gypsum crystals". PNAS. 108 (38): 15721–6. doi:10.1073/pnas.1105233108. PMC 3179101. PMID 21911400.
  3. ^ "The Naica Mina". Archived from the original on 25 November 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Inicio". Industrias Peñoles (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  5. ^ Maple mine, known also as Naica, "under Peñoles control since 1964.", Corporate mining operations, Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  6. ^ "Penoles suspends operations at Naica mine in northern Mexico". Reuters. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Badino, Giovanni; Sanna, Laura (1 July 2009). "The Naica caves survey". International Congress of SpeleologyProceceedings: 1764–1769. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  8. ^ National Geographic, 2008. Cavern of Crystal Giants.
  9. ^ a b National Geographic, 2007. Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved.
  10. ^ "Danger and wonder in Nat Geo's "Giant Crystal Cave"".
  11. ^ "Naica's crystal caves hold long-dormant life". BBC News. 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  12. ^ "Naica's crystal cave captivates chemists". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naica Mine.

27°51′3″N 105°29′47″W / 27.85083°N 105.49639°W / 27.85083; -105.49639

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