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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Derrynoose - Mineralogy - site of local interest | Armagh |
| Site number: | 723 | ||
| Locality Type: | Spoil | Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | H798315 Centroid | ||
| Google maps: | 54.22666,-6.77642 | ||
| County: | Armagh | Council area: | Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council |
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
A former lead mine with spoil containing galena and sphalerite. | |
| Description: | |
This site lies immediately adjacent to the main road c.0.5km WSW of Derrynoose village. Little evidence remains of former mining activity (no shafts etc.), however samples of mineralized spoil can be found. A grassed-over, flat-topped ridge extends c.120m from the road (at the site of a former hall - now a lay-by) to the site of a disused concrete ball court. This ridge, which is some 10-20m wide and rising 1-2m above surrounding land surface, appears to be the grassed-over spoil from the former mine. A few cobbles of mineralized spoil were found on both sides of the road near the former hall. These comprise sugary-textured vein quartz containing ferroan sphalerite and galena both in disseminated form and as coarsely crystalline aggregates in the quartz veinrock. Mineralized spoil also forms the ground surface near the ball court. | |
| Importance: | |
This site is of some scientific significance as it is the only accessible occurrence of Pb-Zn mineralised spoil in County Armagh. However, while specimen material is qualitatively good, the quantity is small. | |
| Notes: | |
See also ESCR Key Site 556 - Derrynoose lead mine [Mineralogy and Metallogenesis Block]. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Minerals: | Galena, Quartz, Sphalerite |
| Structures: | hydrothermal vein |
| Measurements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 120m | Width: | 10-20m | Height: | 1-2m |
| Depth: | Area: | ||||
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | This site is located immediately adjacent to the main road 500m WSW of Derrynoose village. |
| Record type: | SLNCI Report | ||
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 09/10/03 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Derrynoose - Mineralogy - site of local interest, County Armagh, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=723. Accessed on 2026-11-06. |
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