Salesite (extremely rare) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Salesite is a VERY rare hydroxy copper iodate, only found in two places in the world, both in Chile, and both are credited at Co-Type Localities for the species. It was named for the chief geologist for the Anaconda Mining Company in Chile, Reno H. Sales. The Salesite is the bluish-green material, which is found in thin veinlets in the host rock matrix. How often does one have the chance to purchase a piece of a species that is essentially only found in one part of the world!? Interestingly enough, this mine is supposedly the LARGEST mine in the world. It's certainly the largest open pit Copper deposit in the world. It has produced over 31 million tons of Copper, and there is still another 30 millions tons+ left in the orebody! Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#6819). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).