The extensive oxidation of the polymetallic ore bodies has lead to the formation of a wide range of supergene minerals – the outstanding feature of the Lavrion Mines. A comprehensive list of the minerals that have been found is available at www.Mindat.org.
The Lavrion Mining District is a mecca for mineral collectors from all over the world. The mines are well known for stunning, brightly coloured specimens of supergene minerals.
Particularly fine specimens of Smithsonite, Azurite, Malachite, Annabergite, Adamite, Agardite, Mixite, Spangolite, Serpierite etc., have been produced from the mines. The area is also noted for rare species, and is the type locality for a great number of mineral species.
What we must keep always in mind is that Lavrion minerals, wherever in the world they may be found, consist a unique part of Greek mineral heritage! And a part of scientific geological heritage of all times!
However, the best places for them to be exposed are not the national mineralogical museums in other countries, nor the private collections of this kind everywhere in the world where they can be found legally or illegally.
Although Lavrion minerals consist a world’s mineralogical heritage, the best place for their exposition is the Local Mineralogical Museum (of Lavrion and Kamariza), Attica prefecture, Greece. Or other local thematic places suitable for this specific purpose. Places for all Greeks and the whole world to learn about their heritage and how the beautiful stones can talk and what they say.
Like the Elgin Marbles of Parthenon should be returned to Greece and placed in the Acropolis museum.
[by Dr Peter G.Tzeferis]