Mining in Iceland · AditNow Community

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LAP
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

Me and the father hoping to do some biological work in Iceland next year, I've heard about the existance of (calcite?) mines, somewhere...? Was mining a major historical feature of Iceland, or is it just that it was done on a small scale in a few districts?

Cheers;

Kein geneis kanaf - Cain gnais canaf
Byt vndyd mwyhaf - byth onddyth moyav
Lliaws a bwyllaf - Líows o boylav
Ac a bryderaf - ac o boryddarav
Kyfarchaf y veird byt - covarcav yr vairth
Pryt nam dyweid - poryth na'm dowaith
Py gynheil y byt - Pa gonail y byth
Na syrch yn eissywyt - na soroc yn eishoyth
Neur byt bei syrchei - nour byth bai sorochai

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Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

They had big aluminum smelters in Iceland, so there must be bauxite (is it?) mines there?

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

I know optical-grade calcite is sometimes referred to as Iceland spar so I'm guessing there were mines somewhere, although I thought most of Iceland was fairly young volcanic rock. Not sure about there being much bauxite , the smelters are there for the cheap electricity from hydro power - it's cheaper to ship bauxite to smelt there than smelt near the mines and generate the necessary sparks!

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

sparty_lea
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

There is one calcite mine at helgustadir which is in the database. Not alot to see there though.
There's no bauxite, they've got lots of cheap energy which would be why it was popular for smelting aluminium.

Loads of interesting geology, waterfalls and spectacular scenery, its a wonderful country.

There are 10 types of people in the world.

Those that understand binary and those that do not!

LAP
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

Thanks all;
Sparty it is indeed a beautiful country 🙂 I've recently become interested in Viking culture and history, so despite there being a lack of mines, I know it has its other histories.
I'm now wondering if there are any lava tubes on Iceland, I'm speculating that there are butt.. needs looking into 🙂

rhychydwr
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

"LAP" wrote:
Thanks all;
I'm now wondering if there are any lava tubes on Iceland,

Yes plenty, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_tube
http://www.showcaves.com

Cutting coal in my spare time.

gallium
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

more iceland
http://www.mineraltravel.com/inspired/iceland01.html

I melt in your hands...