Copper-Bearing Mineralisation in the Upper Devonian Limestones: A Case Study from the Historical Teresa Adit in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, Poland

The studied copper ore deposit is located in Miedzianka Mountain (Świętokrzyskie Mountains, central Poland). This was exploited from the 13th century to 1950s; therefore numerous historical adits are currently present. One of these Teresa adit (established 1805), consisting underground mining corridors and natural cave developed Upper Devonian limestones, partially transformed by works. Samples copper- rock-forming minerals limestones collected at seven sites within richest copper-bearing mineralisation this were with petrographic investigation thin sections, micro-area chemical analysis (EDS), XRD. study shows presence various minerals: (a) Cu-Fe sulphides (relics chalcopyrite) Cu (covellite, chalcocite), (b) oxides (cuprite hematite), (c) Ca carbonates (calcite, azurite, malachite), (d) clay (Fe-Mg illite), (e) micro-crystalline silica (quartz). For first time deposit, we described chalcopyrite relics cuprite pseudomorphosis, hematite admixture vanadium pinkish-creme veins an Fe-Mg illite microcystaline cracks limestones. In addition, for time, unit cell parameters malachite azurite determined, indicating very low substitutions atoms other than their structures. We suppose that formed during three types processes: hydrothermal chalcopyrite), secondary weathering (chalcocite, covellite, cuprite, adsorptive (azurite, malachite). latter stage related residuum, which consists a mixture quartz, dissolution karst processes some crevices. proposed model formation adsorption deposits. Two generations calcite (older—red younger—crème-pinkish calcite) also detected. Mineralogical–petrographical studies samples revealed high scientific educational value. Due fact planned be made available geotourists, work worth presenting public either and/or local museum village.