Minerals occuring in Upper Carboniferous rocks in the Dutch mining district are concentrated along faults and in brecciated zones. The minerals consist mainly of the sulfides sphalerite, galena and pyrite and the vein minerals quartz, ankerite and pyrite. In the present paper a systematic account of these mineralisations is presented, including also syngenetic/early diagenetic and secondary minerals. This survey is based on finds from the coal fields of the former state mines Emma and Hendrik, which together held the largest concession in Limburg. Following on a brief account of the geology and tectonics of this area is a systematic description of the various mineral species known from both collieries. In comparison with the above mentioned comparatively common species, the other epigenetic minerals recorded in the survey are rare. From the available da ta it is obvious that these mineralisations are part of a larger Pb/Zn district, which, from Limburg, extends to the northeast and c omprises the coal fields of Erkelenz and the Ruhr area. The minerals occur in an idiomorphic habit and are generally concentrated in the area of the Waubach Anticline, especially there where larger faults cut across the anticline. In recent years, the mechanism behind the genesis of Pb/Zn mineralisations in the Variscan orogenetic belt of NW Europe has be en extensively studied. It is quite possible that saline solutions have played an important part in this genesis. Remains of evaporitic deposits have been found at various localities where ores occur.

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Grondboor & Hamer

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Nederlandse Geologische Vereniging

H. Bongaerts. (1996). Mineraal-systematiek van het Emma/Hendrik-steenkoolveld (Limburg). Grondboor & Hamer, 50(5), 97–106.