The last finds from the Styrian Erzberg date back to 1970.
The mineral steps were from the former gallery mining - since then only open-cast mining has been carried out.
The Styrian Erzberg is the largest iron ore mine in Central Europe and the largest SIDERIT = brown ironstone deposit in the world.
Every year, 12 million tons of rock will yield around 3 million tons of fine ore.
EISENBLÜTE is a special name for the mineral ARAGONITE, formed by surface water in cavities in ore deposits.
Iron flowers are usually white to brownish - and form racemose or stalagtitic shapes.
BLUE IRON FLOWERS were EXTREMELY RARE and are therefore highly sought after.
This specimen is a BLUE NEEDLE ARAGONITE - the special color comes from copper ions and is very rare in this form.
Location: Erzberg - City of Eisenerz - Styria - Austria
Weight: 1.54 kilogram
Dim: 21 x 14 x 8 cm
The last picture shows the side and bottom view