Miniera Monteponi

Useful Information

Location:	In Monteponi, 2 km west of Iglesias.
Open:	Only after appointment. School-Museum: All year Sat 16-20, Sun 9-13, 16-20. [2020]
Fee:	Adults EUR 10, Children (6-12) EUR 6.50, Children (0-5) free, Seniors (65+) EUR 6.50. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 6.50. [2020]
Classification:	Lead Mine Zinc Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Miniera Monteponi, SS126, 09016 Monteponi SU, Tel: +39-0781-491300, Tel: +39-0781-274505.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1324	beginning of ore mining.
1901	new mineral discovered which was named monteponite.
1992	mine closed.

Geology

Description

A visit to the abandoned Miniera Monteponi includes an underground tour through the Galleria Villamarina. There are two shafts, Pozzo Vittorio Emanuele and Pozzo Sella, which are connected by this tunnel. This mine was once the most important producer of lead, zinc, and silver of Sardinia.

The location is the type locale for monteponite (CdO), a yellow-brownish cadmium mineral. It is extremely rare and has only been discovered twice in the mine.

The mine is open only after appointment, but the Scuola-Museo di Monteponi (Monteponi School-Museum) has regular open hours. Located in the former elementary school from the 1950s it is now a museum for mining schools in Italy. It is an introduction into mining archeology, simulated excavation, clay working, archival research, historical reconstruction, and environmental problems. It offers the contact with minerals and rocks.

It seems there are alternative mine tours offered by local guides through airbnb. The two hour walking tours are held in Italian and English and are very informative, but also they are quite expensive, Online reservation through airbnb is required.