Siilinjärvi carbonatite facts for kids
The Siilinjärvi carbonatite complex is a special place in Central Finland, close to the city of Kuopio. It's named after the nearby village of Siilinjärvi. This complex is actually a large mine where a unique type of rock called carbonatite is found and dug up.
The Siilinjärvi complex is quite long, stretching for about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi). Geologists from the Geological Survey of Finland first found this interesting area in 1950. Mining operations then started a few years later, in 1958. It is the second-largest carbonatite complex in Finland. The biggest one is the Sokli mine.
Contents
What is a Carbonatite Complex?
A carbonatite complex is a rare type of igneous rock formation. Igneous rocks are formed when hot, molten rock (magma) cools and hardens. What makes carbonatites special is that they are mostly made of carbonate minerals. Most other igneous rocks are made of silicate minerals.
These complexes often contain valuable minerals. At Siilinjärvi, the main mineral mined is apatite. Apatite is important because it contains phosphorus, which is used to make fertilizers. Fertilizers help plants grow better.
How the Mine Works
The Siilinjärvi mine is an open-pit mine. This means that minerals are dug up from a large pit in the ground, rather than from underground tunnels. Large machines are used to dig out the rock.
After the rock is dug up, it goes through a process called beneficiation. This process separates the valuable apatite from other unwanted minerals. The apatite is then used to produce phosphoric acid, a key ingredient in fertilizers.
Location and Importance
The Siilinjärvi carbonatite complex is very important for Finland's economy. It provides raw materials for the fertilizer industry. This helps support agriculture both in Finland and in other countries.
The mine also creates jobs for many people in the Siilinjärvi area. It shows how geological discoveries can lead to important industries.
Images for kids
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Fertilizer factories near to the mine.
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Thin section of apatite-rich carbonatite.
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Thin section of apatite-rich glimmerite.
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Saarinen satellite pit.
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Glimmerite.
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A drill core sample from Siilinjärvi.
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Tetraferriphlogopite grains.
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Carbonate vein.
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Fluorapatite grains in carbonate groundmass.
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Almost euhedral amphibole crystal in carbonate groundmass.
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Rutile grains in a mica-rich zone.
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See also
In Spanish: Complejo Siilinjärvi de carbonatita para niños
