R1: Characterization and description of minerals (Joint Session with The Gemmological Society of Japan)

[R1P-05] Ore minerals of the Ichinosaka silver mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

*Miyako Okatani¹, Mariko Nagashima² (1. Ubekousankonsarutanto, 2. Yamaguchidaigakuin・souseikagaku)

Keywords: Ichinosaka , silver mine, native silver, argentite, canfieldite

The Ichinosaka silver mine is historically important mine known for the production of silver coin, “Tenmata-gin”. However, the mineral assemblages of silver-ores have not been investigated until now. Thus, we report the constituent minerals and their chemical characteristics, and the formation process is also discussed. Ores collected from the mine dump were mainly composed of rhodonite and tephroite. Ag-bearing minerals, such as native silver, argentite and canfieldite, were newly identified. The major ore minerals are galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and pyrite.