Huglith Mine
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJ404015 | — | Favourable | 4.35 | 2017-10-19 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Geological Fault · Geological Period: Precambrian
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Description Huglith Mine provides one of the best exposures of barite mineralisation in red beds seen in Britain. The series of mine workings follow the Huglith Main Vein known as no. 2 which occupies a 070° trending, 70° south dipping fault, over 800 metres along strike. This fault intersects the major Pontesford Linley Lineament to the west. The vein is situated in fluvial red and purple coarse grits of the Longmyndian Oakswood Group of Precambrian age. Comprising almost solid barite, the vein is wide up to six metres in parts and anastomosing in several localities. It is well exposed at several mine adit's in the site where the morphology may be studied in detail. The barite is usually massive and pink, the colour being due to iron staining from the country rocks. The barite veins and the sides of fault fissures are often stained green or blueby secondary copper minerals. Hydrocarbons also occur in the ore. The Huglith Mine was by far the biggest producer of barium in the west Shropshire Orefield and is selected as the best and only example of a barite deposit in this important region.