Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy i
Regional Level Types
Libiola Mine Mine
Sestri Levante Commune
Genoa Metropolitan City
Liguria Region
Italy Country

Regional Level Types
Libiola Mine	Mine
Sestri Levante	Commune
Genoa	Metropolitan City
Liguria	Region
Italy	Country

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Dirt road to the mine

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Entry to the lowest level

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Entry to the lowest level

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Arrival at the mine site

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Dirt road to the mine

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Entry to the lowest level

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Arrival at the mine site

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Dirt road to the mine

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Entry to the lowest level

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

44° 18' 17'' North , 9° 26' 54'' East

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

Type:

Köppen climate type:

Csb : Warm-summer Mediterranean climate

Nearest Settlements:

Place	Population	Distance
Tassani	123 (2014)	1.0km
Montedomenico	222 (2014)	1.2km
Cardini	125 (2014)	1.3km
Bargone	321 (2014)	2.7km
Frisolino	110 (2014)	3.4km

Mindat Locality ID:

2082

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:2082:7

GUID (UUID V4):

Name(s) in local language(s):

Miniera di Libiola, Sestri Levante, Genova, Liguria, Italia

Old abandoned copper mine (mined since 1864, abandoned in 1961).
Mining dates back to the early Copper Age; compare Monte Loreto.

The mining site is located on the west boundary of the Valgraveglia ophiolite complex, about 6 km northeast of Sestri Levante. Libiola was the biggest mine in the eastern Liguria district and probably the most productive in the northern Apennine, having supplied more than 1.5 Mt of ore with an average grade of 7 wt% Cu between 1864 and 1961 when it was definitively closed (Galli and Penco, 1996).

The sulfide deposit consists of a suite of massive sulfide lenses (25-35 wt% total S) stacked one on the other at the top of a huge dome of pillow basalt, underlain and partly overthrust by massive serpentinite and laminated gabbro. At the footwall of massive orebodies, the sulfide "infiltrates" among pillows and pillow-breccia fragments, giving rise to an interstitial ore (<10 wt% total S) that grades into a network of millimetric veins, filling cracks and fissures within completely chloritised basalt (stringer ore).

The sulfide assemblage is dominated by pyrite and chalcopyrite with subordinate sphalerite and pyrrhotite, in a gangue of quartz, calcite, and chlorite. The biogenic features observed in stratiform deposits are absent, although pyrite framboids have been observed in several samples. Ilmenite, rutile, and titanite occur in the chlorite gangue of the stringers (Garuti & Zaccarini, 2005; Garuti et al., 2008). Gold and silver minerals have been reported to be relatively common (Galli, 1959; Ferrario and Garuti, 1980) frequently accompanied by uraninite (Garuti and Zaccarini, 2005). A second type of very low-grade mineralisation occurs associated with shear zones in serpentinite, possibly representing syn-tectonic remobilisation of magmatic sulfides, as indicated by the occurrence of accessory pentlandite (Bertolani, 1952).

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.

ⓘ Copper

ⓘ Iron

Mineral List

ⓘ var. Cobalt-bearing Calcite

ⓘ Carbonatecyanotrichite

ⓘ var. Chalcotrichite

ⓘ 'Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series'

ⓘ var. Copper-bearing Melanterite

ⓘ 'Serpentine Subgroup'

71 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Acanthite

Formula: Ag₂S

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

Carbone, Cristina, , , Dinelli, Enrico, De Waele, Jo, , , , (2016) Characterization of minothems at Libiola (NW Italy): morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical study. International Journal of Speleology, 45 (2). 171-183 doi:10.5038/1827-806x.45.2.1944

ⓘ Allophane

Formula: (Al₂O₃)(SiO₂)_1.3-2 · 2.5-3H₂O

References:

Antofilli, Mario; Borgo, Emilio; Palenzona, Andrea (1983) I nostri minerali: Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria [Our Minerals: Geology and Mineralogy in Liguria] (1st ed.). Sagep Editrice. 288pp.

ⓘ Alunogen

Formula: Al₂(SO₄)₃ · 17H₂O

References:

ⓘ Andradite

Formula: Ca₃Fe³⁺₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

ⓘ Antlerite

Formula: Cu₃(SO₄)(OH)₄

References:

Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1988): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Aggiornamento 1988. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 48 pp.

ⓘ Aragonite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Carbone, C. , Marescotti, P., Cabella, R., Lucchetti, G. (2002): Sulfide alteration and related secondary minerals from the Libiola mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy). Poster at the 82° SIMP Congress , Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 18-20/09/2002. Abstract in Plinius 28 , 88-89.

ⓘ Azurite

Formula: Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Bernalite

Formula: Fe(OH)₃ · nH₂O (n = 0.0 to 0.25)

References:

Dott. Cristina Carbone-Dipteris-Genova: analysis June 2007 (paper in preparation)

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Bieberite

Formula: Co²⁺(H₂O)₆(SO₄) · H₂O

References:

ⓘ Bonattite

Formula: CuSO₄ · 3H₂O

References:

ⓘ Bornite

Formula: Cu₅FeS₄

References:

ⓘ Botryogen

Formula: MgFe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH) · 7H₂O

References:

Mineralogical Society of America - Handbook of Mineralogy

ⓘ Brochantite

Formula: Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

Garuti, G., Bartoli, O., Scacchetti, M., and Zaccarini, F. (2008) Geological setting and structural styles of Volcanic Massive Sulfide deposits in the northern Apennines (Italy): evidence for seafloor and sub-seafloor hydrothermal activity in unconventional ophiolites of the Mesozoic Tethys. Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 60, 1, 121-145

ⓘ Calcite var. Cobalt-bearing Calcite

Formula: (Ca,Co)CO₃

References:

ⓘ Carbonatecyanotrichite

Formula: Cu₄Al₂(CO₃,SO₄)(OH)₁₂ · 2H₂O

References:

Palenzona A. (1991): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria, Aggiornamento 1990. Amici Mineralogisti Fiorentini, Associazione Piemontese Mineralogia Paleontologia & Mostra Torinese Minerali, Centro Mineralogico Varesino, Gruppo Mineralogico "A. Negro" COOP Liguria, Gruppo Mineralogico Lombardo, Gruppo Mineralogico "3M" Ferrania, (Ed.), La Tipotecnica, San Vittore Olona (MI), 48 pp.

ⓘ Chalcanthite

Formula: CuSO₄ · 5H₂O

References:

ⓘ Chalcoalumite

Formula: CuAl₄(SO₄)(OH)₁₂ · 3H₂O

References:

Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1988): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Aggiornamento 1988. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 48 pp.

ⓘ Chalcocite

Formula: Cu₂S

References:

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Palenzona, A., & Martinelli, A. (2007). Uvarovite in Liguria. Prie, 3 (2007), 16-18

ⓘ Chrysocolla

Formula: Cu_2-xAl_x(H_2-xSi₂O₅)(OH)₄ · nH₂O, x < 1

References:

ⓘ Copiapite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₄(SO₄)₆(OH)₂ · 20H₂O

References:

ⓘ Covellite

Formula: CuS

References:

Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1988): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Aggiornamento 1988. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 48 pp.

ⓘ Cronstedtite

Formula: Fe²⁺₂Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Cubanite

Formula: CuFe₂S₃

References:

Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1988): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Aggiornamento 1988. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 48 pp.

ⓘ Cuprite

Formula: Cu₂O

References:

ⓘ Cuprite var. Chalcotrichite

Formula: Cu₂O

References:

Beppe Finello collection

ⓘ Cyanotrichite

Formula: Cu₄Al₂(SO₄)(OH)₁₂ · 2H₂O

References:

ⓘ Devilline

Formula: CaCu₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₆ · 3H₂O

References:

A. Palenzona (2005): personal communication to C. Balestra

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ Epsomite

Formula: MgSO₄ · 7H₂O

References:

ⓘ Felsőbányaite

Formula: Al₄(SO₄)(OH)₁₀ · 4H₂O

References:

Dott. Cristina Carbone-Dipteris-Genova: analysis June 2007 (paper in preparation)

ⓘ Ferrihydrite

Formula: Fe³⁺₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂

References:

E. Dinelli, N. Morandi & F. Tateo (1998): Fine-grained weathering products in waste disposal from two sulphide mines in the northern Apennines, Italy. Clay Minerals 33,423-433.

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ 'Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series'

References:

ⓘ Goethite

Formula: Fe³⁺O(OH)

References:

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Greenalite

Formula: (Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)_2-3Si₂O₅(OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Gypsum

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

References:

ⓘ Halloysite

Formula: Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄ · n(H₂O)

References:

Dott. Cristina Carbone-Dipteris-Genova: analysis June 2007 (paper in preparation)

ⓘ Halotrichite

Formula: Fe²⁺Al₂(SO₄)₄ · 22H₂O

References:

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

ⓘ Hydrowoodwardite

Formula: (Cu_1-xAl_x)(OH)₂[SO₄]_x/2 · nH₂O

References:

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

Garuti, G., Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (3). 935-950 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.3.935

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Jarosite

Formula: KFe³⁺₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆

References:

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Kaolinite

Formula: Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

Belmonte, D. (2005): personal communication to C. Balestra

ⓘ Langite

Formula: Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆ · 2H₂O

References:

AA.VV. (1998): Minerali liguri in pillole. Notiziario di Mineralogia del Ferrania Club, 12/1998, 13.

ⓘ Lepidocrocite

Formula: Fe³⁺O(OH)

References:

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

ⓘ Malachite

Formula: Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Marcasite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1988): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Aggiornamento 1988. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 48 pp.

ⓘ Melanterite

Formula: Fe²⁺(H₂O)₆(SO₄) · H₂O

References:

ⓘ Melanterite var. Copper-bearing Melanterite

Formula: (Fe,Cu)SO₄ · 7H₂O

References:

ⓘ Montmorillonite

Formula: (Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O

References:

ⓘ Native Copper

Formula: Cu

References:

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Native Gold

Formula: Au

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

Di Lisi, S., Morino, A., and Muzio, C. (2020) Oro sui chiodi. Un classico della mineralogia ligure dalla miniera di Libiola (GE). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 44, 3 (3-2020), 186-189.

ⓘ Native Gold var. Electrum

Formula: (Au,Ag)

References:

ⓘ Native Silver

Formula: Ag

References:

ⓘ Nontronite

Formula: Na_0.3Fe₂((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O

References:

ⓘ 'Ochre'

References:

ⓘ Pentlandite

Formula: (Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

References:

Bertolani, M. (1952) I giacimenti cupriferi nelle ofioliti di Sestri Levante (Liguria). Periodico di Mineralogia, 21, 2-3, 149-170.

ⓘ Pickeringite

Formula: MgAl₂(SO₄)₄ · 22H₂O

References:

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Pyrolusite

Formula: Mn⁴⁺O₂

References:

ⓘ Pyrophyllite

Formula: Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1988): I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Aggiornamento 1988. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 48 pp.

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ Rutile

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Schwertmannite

Formula: Fe³⁺₁₆(OH,SO₄)_12-13O₁₆ · 10-12H₂O

References:

Carbone, C. (2005): Seminar on “Minerali di neo-formazione nei processi di acid-rock drainage”. Genova, Italy, 17/01/2005.

Carbone, C. (2008). Crystallochemical and minerogenetic study of oxide and oxy-hydroxides related to AMD (acid mine drainage) processes in Libiola mine (Sestri Levante). Plinius No. 34

ⓘ 'Serpentine Subgroup'

Formula: D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Siderotil

Formula: FeSO₄ · 5H₂O

References:

ⓘ Smithsonite

Formula: ZnCO₃

References:

Bracco, R. (2005): personal communication.

ⓘ Sphalerite

Formula: ZnS

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Spherocobaltite

Formula: CoCO₃

References:

Palache, Charles; Berman, Harry; Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons.p.176

ⓘ Tenorite

Formula: CuO

References:

ⓘ Titanite

Formula: CaTiO(SiO₄)

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Uraninite

Formula: UO₂

References:

Garuti, G. and Zaccarini, F. (2005) Minerals of Au, Ag, and U in volcanic-rock-associated massive sulfide deposits of the Northern Apennine ophiolite, Italy. Canadian Mineralogist, 43, 935-950

ⓘ Uvarovite

Formula: Ca₃Cr³⁺₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

Palenzona, A., & Martinelli, A. (2007). Uvarovite in Liguria. Prie, 3 (2007), 16-18

ⓘ Valleriite

Formula: (Fe²⁺,Cu)₄(Mg,Al)₃S₄(OH,O)₆

References:

(n.d.) Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.

Gallery:

Cu₃(SO₄)(OH)₄ⓘ Antlerite

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, ItalyiRegional Level TypesLibiola MineMine Sestri LevanteCommune GenoaMetropolitan City LiguriaRegion ItalyCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

Select Mineral List Type

Commodity List

Mineral List

Rock Types Recorded

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Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

Libiola Mine, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy i
Regional Level Types
Libiola Mine Mine
Sestri Levante Commune
Genoa Metropolitan City
Liguria Region
Italy Country