McGillite, Sullivan Mine, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada

Here we have a rare and difficult-to-obtain mineral from Canada. At first glance this specimen has some minor rhodocrosite scattered on top of various sulfides, but that would be an incorrect identification. The pinkish mineral is actually McGillite, named by mineralogists from McGill University in Montreal who first identified it from samples gathered prior to 1945. No new material from the type locality is likely to be collected as the mine ceased operating in 2001 and is mostly flooded. Further, the section of the mine where the McGillite was first discovered has not be accessible for decades prior to the closure. This is a nice, sizeable example measuring at 5 cm x 5 cm x 6 cm and is relatively attractive. I have not identified the other species present. Ex Allan Ingelson Collection. From Sullivan Mine, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada.