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THE ORE DATABASE
Deposit 1149 - 013 Vigsnes
(Object Id: 4972)
(Last updated: 28.03.2023)
Belongs to the Province: Vigsnes
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285249 m. North: 6585449 m.
Longitude: 5.2220790 Latitude: 59.3529610
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Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis
Importance
Raw material meaning: Little Importance (reg. 18.02.2015)

Resources and production
Activity: Mining Reserves:
Operating method: Underground mining Historical production: 1440 thousand tons


Products
Element/product Crude ore grade or quality Reg. date
Cu 1,66 % 12.06.2007
Zn 1,4 % 03.01.2022

Operations
From - To Activity Comments
1865 - 1865 Test mining Company/Institution :Antwerpen Grube-Compagni
Direktør Charles Defrance, belgisk bergingeniør
1866 - 1880 Regular production Company/Institution :Antwerpen Grube-Compagni
Direktør Charles Defrance, belgisk bergingeniør
1880 - 1894 Regular production Company/Institution :Societe des Mines de Cuivre de Vigsnæs
Franske eierintereser. Direktør Charles Defrance, belgisk bergingeniør
1970 - 1971 Regular production Company/Institution :A/S Vigsnes Kobberverk
Eid av Ferdinand Egeberg & Co, Lysaker kemiske Fabrikk (Elkem) og Norddeutschee Affinerie
1972 - 1976 Detail mapping Company/Institution :A/S Sydvaranger

Mineralization
Era: Paleozoic Period: Ordovician
Genesis: Volcex Form: Cigar
Main texture: Banded Min. distribution: Massive (>50 % ore minerals)
Main grain size: Medium grained (1-3 mm) Main alteration: Chloritisation
Strike/Dip: 300 / 72 Direction: 0
Plunge: 73
Stratigraphic classification of host rock
Era: Paleozoic Period: Ordovician
Province: Caledonides
Geotec.unit: Hardangerfjord Nappe Complex
Tectonic complex:
Igneous complex: Karmøy Ophiolite Complex
Group: Visnes Formation:

Mineralogy
Relationship Mineral Amount
Gangue mineral Quartz Major mineral (>10%)
Gangue mineral Chlorite Subordinate mineral (1-10%)
Gangue mineral Sericite Subordinate mineral (1-10%)
Ore mineral Pyrite Major mineral (>10%)
Ore mineral Chalcopyrite Subordinate mineral (1-10%)
Ore mineral Sphalerite Subordinate mineral (1-10%)
Ore mineral Galena Accessory mineral (<1%)

Lithology:
Relationship Rock Origin
Wall rock Chlorite schist Intrusive
Original rock :Dolerite
Metamorphic facies :Greenschist
Wall rock Greenstone Intrusive
Original rock :Dolerite
Metamorphic facies :Greenschist
Wall rock Quartz sericite schist Intrusive
Original rock :Dolerite
Metamorphic facies :Greenschist

Structures
Location: Type: Orientation(360 gr.): Relation to min.:
Host rock Fold axis Dir./Plunge :4 / 36 Post-mineralisation ;...Effect :Modifies

Information(s) in free text format
Free text
The Vigsnes deposit was discovered in 1865 and mining commenced in 1866 and lasted until 1894. Small-scale production was conducted in 1970–71. 1.44 mill.t. of ore grading 1.66 % Cu and 1.4 % Zn was produced. At the Vigsnes mine, six cigar- or plate-shaped ore bodies were exploited down to a depth of 732 m. The two largest of these were 400–450 m long, up to 175 m wide and with thicknesses of the order of 5–30 m. The massive sulphide ores are banded and pyrite-rich. Chalcopyrite and sphalerite are enriched in the upper parts of the sulphide bodies, and chalcopyrite is also enriched in the thinner part of these. Minor stringers/veinlets and disseminations of chalcopyrite also occur in the hanging wall. The ore deposit is hosted by a 50–60 m wide zone dominated by chlorite-rich greenschist that represents sheared dykes and lava of the Visnes Group within the Karmøy ophiolite complex. The Rødkleiv deposit (N0008) is hosted by the same sequence.

Photo(s) from the Deposit area:
Photo no. 1 showing Smeltehytta ved Vigsnes"

Bibliography:
From NGU's Reference Archive:
Geis, H.P. , 1957
Vorkommen von Pyrit und Kupferkies auf Karmøy/Norwegen.
;Norges geologiske undersøkelse;FAGRAPPORT;Bergarkivet; No.BA 3116 A;100 pages
Abstract:
Rapporten beskriver undersøkelser av alle malmforekomstene på Karmøy. Det ble foretatt geologisk kartlegging i M 1:5000 og det fremgår at malmforekomstene ligger i grønne bergarter i grønskifre, puteaktige amfibolitter og plagioklas-hornblende-gneis. Likeledes ble alle gruver og skjerp prøvetatt og kartlagt og alle lot seg plassere i bestemte malmsoner med bakgrunn i mineralsammensetningen. Den eneste sonen med økonomisk interessante malmmengder er Vigsnesmalmsonen med gamle Vigsnes- Rødklev gruver som begge er utdrevet. Typisk mineralføring er svovelkis med sinkblende og kobberkis. Syv andre mineraliserte soner er registrert som alle er fattigere og fører delvis magnetkis og magnetitt. På bakgrunn av undersøkelsene blir det gitt synspunkter på malmdannelsen og det konkluderes med at det ikke er funnet drivverdige malmengder. Tilslutt blir det gitt en beskrivelse av utførte kjerneboringer.

Geis, Hans-Peter , 1965
100 jahre Vigsnes Kobberverk.
;TIDSSKRIFTARTIKKEL;Tidsskrift for kjemi, bergvesen og metallurgi; No.8-9;194-202 pages
Abstract:
The Vigsnes Copper Mine, which is situated on the island of Karmøy, on the western coast of Norway, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The author gives an account of the geology of the district and the history of the mine.

Sturt, B. A.; Thon, A.; Furnes, H. , 1980
The geology and preliminary geochemistry of the Karmøy ophiolite, S.W. Norway.
;Cyprus Geological Survey Department;ARTIKKEL;Ophiolites; Proceedings International Ophiolite Symposium, Cyprus; 1979.;538-554 pages
Abstract:
(Forkortet) The Karmøy Ophiolite of SW. Norway contains a >6 km thick sequence through pre-Middle Ordovician oceanic crust. The lowest part of the pseudostratigraphy contains both highly deformed and cumulate ultramafics, cut by gabbros. From the basal zone upwards, a complex sequence of mainly cumulate gabbros (2-3 km thick), cut by tholeiitic metabasalt dykes and more rarely microgabbro, ultramafite and trondhjemite, occurs. The dyke density increases upwards until a true sheeted dyke complex (1.5 km thick) is encountered. The dykes fed a thick (>1 km) sequence of non-vesicular and variolitic pillow lavas and pillow breccias. These tholeiitc basalts, i.e. dykes and extrusives, comprise the Visnes Group. A small nickel deposit is associated with the upper part of the plutonic zone, and several copper deposits occur near the boundary between the sheeted dykes and pillow lavas.

Geis, Hans-Peter , 1961
Strukturelle iakttagelser ved noen norske kisforekomster
;Norsk geologisk forening;TIDSSKRIFTARTIKKEL;Norsk geologisk tidsskrift; No.41 (2/4);173-196 pages
Abstract:
A number of deposits of sulphide ores in Norway are to be found in minor basins in the Caledonian geosyncline. The ore deposits are separated into cigar-shaped ore bodies which are arranged "en echelon". Their relationship to the basins is described and an explanation for the relationship is given.

References not to be found in NGU's Reference Archive.:
Gvein, Ø. 1977: Rapport vedrørende A/S Sydvaranger avd. Vigsnes kobbergruver, Rogaland. BV 1384.


Scott, J.L. 1992: Mineralization in the Karmøy ophiolite, Southwest Norway. M.Sci. Thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland. 221 pp.


Osland, E. et al. 1986: Gruve-driften på Vigsnes 100 år/Perioden 1965-1972/Perioden 1972-1982. Kobberverkets venner, 76 s.

Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
RO0099.01 Dump
Sampler: J.S. Sandstad/...Stored: Løkken/...Size(kg): 2
Comment: Massive, fine grained, finely banded pyrite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
RO0099.02 Dump
Sampler: J.S. Sandstad/...Stored: Løkken/...Size(kg): 2
Comment: Semi-massive, fine grained pyrite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite ore in fine grained quartz-rich matrix
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Name of Sample point: Bh D121
(Object Id: 39179 13,00,01)
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285170 m. North: 6585588 m.
Longitude: 5.2205550 Latitude: 59.3541580
Show on map
Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis


Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 Core
Sampler: T. Bjerkgård/J.S. Sandstad
Comment: Pyrite-chalcopyrite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Name of Sample point: Bh 260
(Object Id: 39180 13,00,02)
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285031 m. North: 6585760 m.
Longitude: 5.2179430 Latitude: 59.3556370
Show on map
Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis


Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 Core
Sampler: T. Bjerkgård/J.S. Sandstad
Comment: Pyrite-sphalerite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Name of Sample point: Bh 52-9
(Object Id: 39181 13,00,03)
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285273 m. North: 6585429 m.
Longitude: 5.2225040 Latitude: 59.3527850
Show on map
Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis


Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 Core
Sampler: T. Bjerkgård/J.S. Sandstad
Comment: Pyrite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Name of Sample point: Bh 260-1
(Object Id: 39182 13,00,04)
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285192 m. North: 6585551 m.
Longitude: 5.2209610 Latitude: 59.3538370
Show on map
Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis


Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 Core
Sampler: T. Bjerkgård/J.S. Sandstad
Comment: Pyrite-sphalerite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Name of Sample point: Bh 360-4
(Object Id: 39183 13,00,05)
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285164 m. North: 6585643 m.
Longitude: 5.2203940 Latitude: 59.3546560
Show on map
Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis


Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 Core
Sampler: T. Bjerkgård/J.S. Sandstad
Comment: Pyrite-sphalerite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Name of Sample point: Bh 83-1
(Object Id: 39184 13,00,06)
Location
County: Rogaland Municipality: Karmøy (1149)
Map 1:50000: Haugesund (1113-1) Map 1:250000: Haugesund
Coordinate system: EU89-UTM Zone 32
East: 285171 m. North: 6585503 m.
Longitude: 5.2206570 Latitude: 59.3533970
Show on map
Resource
Resource Type: Base metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Fe sulphides, As,Sb,Bi,Sn) Resource Subtype: Copper
Element(s): Cu Zn Kis


Fieldsamples
Sample No. Sample type Miscellanrous
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 Core
Sampler: T. Bjerkgård/J.S. Sandstad
Comment: Pyrite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite ore
No. of registrated element analyses = 1
NB! All analyse values are shown at the end of the printout.:

Analyse Results
from
Deposit Area 1149 - 013 Vigsnes

Element analyses
( *=parts pr. million, #=parts pr.billion, Negative values means below detection limit value.)
Sample No. Sample Type Cu* Zn* Pb* Co* Ni* Ag* Au#
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 Core 20800 66400 402 23 15 14.8 203.0
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 Core 8540 30200 155 62 5 6.3 91.0
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 Core 8750 39100 193 12 11 14.7 63.0
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 Core 6790 59600 843 17 25 22.3 135.0
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 Core 48700 45700 388 43 16 29.2 592.0
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 Core 14100 17550 1810 147 5 12.2 164.0
RO0099.01 Dump 14312 69797 552 43 13 12.4 214.0
RO0099.02 Dump 18126 99999 816 12 13 10.0 93.0
------------------
Sample No. Pt# Pd# As* Cd* Ba* Mo* Sn* Sb* Bi*
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 6.0 1.0 14 163.5 5 19.60 3 0 1
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 2.5 1.0 20 66.1 10 17.15 3 0 8
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 2.5 .5 89 113.5 5 22.60 1 1 0
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 2.5 .5 11 151.5 5 19.50 3 0 3
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 2.5 .5 25 124.5 5 20.80 4 0 6
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 2.5 .5 47 43.2 50 27.70 3 1 4
RO0099.01 4.0 2.0 52 170.3 3 2.00 4 15
RO0099.02 5.0 -2.0 57 314.8 2 -1.00 -3 6
------------------
Sample No. Se* Ga* Ge* In* S% V* Cr* Mn* Fe%
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 17.00 17.20 0.25 5.72 10.00 40 8 186 30.00
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 118.00 7.26 0.48 8.35 10.00 13 4 588 35.70
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 5.00 2.98 0.17 8.64 10.00 10 5 76 25.00
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 21.00 21.70 0.27 11.45 10.00 154 28 288 26.00
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 25.00 22.20 0.26 8.04 10.00 36 9 107 29.80
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 48.00 9.19 0.37 1.76 10.00 40 8 209 36.90
RO0099.01 42.00 45 -1 92 31.24
RO0099.02 22.76 4 3 1628 17.63
------------------
Sample No. Th* U* W* Rb* Sr* Y* Zr* Nb* Ta*
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 0.11 0.80 0 0.2 2.6 7.6 21 0.30 0.03
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 0.16 1.70 0 0.4 16.0 17.7 49 0.70 0.05
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 0.02 0.10 0 0.1 0.5 4.4 1 0.05 0.03
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 0.26 2.10 0 1.4 24.4 15.2 29 0.50 0.05
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 0.03 0.90 0 0.1 1.1 2.7 6 0.10 0.03
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 0.12 0.60 0 4.0 4.5 16.2 29 0.50 0.03
RO0099.01 -2.00 -8.00 2 1.0
RO0099.02 -2.00 8.00 -2 62.0
------------------
Sample No. Cs* La* Ce* B* Li* Be* P* Sc* Ti*
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 0.03 1.50 4.49 1 0 260 2.00 600
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 0.03 3.00 9.08 3 0 60 2.10 450
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 0.03 0.25 0.44 0 0 10 0.30 25
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 0.03 4.60 11.15 2 0 1250 4.90 1070
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 0.03 0.60 1.91 1 0 40 1.70 290
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 0.08 4.10 12.30 2 0 180 4.70 1490
RO0099.01 2.00 5
RO0099.02 2.00 -3
------------------
Sample No. Te* Hf* Re* Tl*
BhD121, 75.60-76.40 0.37 0.60 0 0
Bh260-1, 6.00-7.00 33.30 1.40 0 0
Bh260-13,23.25-24.05 0.08 0.05 0 0
Bh360-4, 56.20-56.70 1.78 0.70 0 0
Bh52-9, 6.50-7.50 2.77 0.20 0 0
Bh83-1, 4.00-5.00 4.98 0.90 0 0
RO0099.01
RO0099.02

The fact sheet was created on 28.04.2024
Questions or comments regarding the fact sheet can be emailed to:
ressursdatabaser@ngu.no
Copyright © 2024 Geological Survey of Norway