The site was discovered in 1965 and from then until now the site has been exploited in an artisanal way.
The Pyrite of Navajún has fully entered the international collecting market, being increasingly appreciated and valued, becoming a benchmark in the field of Spanish mineralogy.
Visit us, make your appointment
at our reservation area
Get your pyrite in
our online store
If you are fond of mineralogy or want to feel what it is to be a miner for a day, do not hesitate to contact us and take a tour of this place so close and at the same time so forgotten about our land.
You will be able to discover in our concession naturally and without stridency the beauty of the geological heritage and the surprising deposit of pyrites. Extracting yourself the pyrites that so generously appear in our farm.
Experiencing the sensation of transporting yourself to another world, you will not be able to stop, for something they call it the gold of the madmen, since the abundance of this mineral in our exploitation is simply spectacular.
During the visit you will observe the existence of older inhabitants, the large dinosaurs, who left their tracks everywhere and can be seen on our farm.
Pyrites are found scattered in layers of marl belonging to the Cretaceous (Weald), with an enormous lateral continuity that motivates the abundance of outcrops.
In the "Ampliación a Victoria" concession, there are three recognized layers with pyrite, called from lower to upper level:
first, second and third layer. Its thickness is variable, with an average of 2.5 meters and local thinning.
The average inclination of the formation is 15º and strong spatial variations are observed in terms of power, morphology and oxidation state of the pyrites.
The specimens of this level are the most spectacular that have been obtained so far from the mine. On the second level, work has been done on a gallery and side anchors, following a layer. The third level, which is the highest, remains in reserve.
I Level
II Level
III Level
Waste
facility
Front
exploitation
In the entire area of the deposit, apart from pyrite, only gypsum, chlorite and some manganese minerals have been found. Pyrite occurs almost exclusively in cubic form and very rarely in cubo-octahedron crystals, also pyritohedra. Some specimens with beveled edges come from Navajún. The sizes are between the millimeter and 20 cm. edge, between which all intermediate measures can be given.
Deposit Detail
and extraction works
Selection
and classification works
Nature, of course, is an added value in the visit to the farm "Ampliación a Victoria", it will allow you to enjoy the landscapes, flora and fauna of the area.
The "Ampliación a Victoria" site is part of the Alhama Valley, which was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO on July 9, 2003, along with the Leza, Jubera and Cidacos valleys.
Furthermore, this entire area of La Rioja is considered a Starlight Reserve for the quality of its starry skies.
The visit can be completed with a multitude of activities of the most varied: interpretation centers, caves, churches and palaces that each small town hides to offer the visitor a unique getaway full of experiences.
And after so much activity, the best way to relax is to go to one of the spas in this area, so rich in thermal waters that are indicated to improve different ailments or simply enjoy its high temperatures and stress-relieving properties.
