History · Geology
About Xianghualing Mine
Xianghualing is one of southern Hunan's most significant Sn-W deposits and the type-locality for several rare minerals. Beyond its industrial role, it produces sharp octahedral and dodecahedral fluorite, fine cassiterite, and a long supporting cast of skarn and greisen species.
Mining History
Industrial mining for tin and tungsten began in the mid-20th century. The locality is the type-locality for hsianghualite (Hsianghualing's namesake mineral, 1958) and several other rare phosphates and silicates. Specimen recovery accelerated in the 2000s.
Signature Specimens
Sharp fluorite octahedra and dodecahedra in deep purple, green, and colorless; brown to black cassiterite twins; rare hsianghualite, taaffeite, and lead-bearing phosphates. Xianghualing fluorite habit is distinct from neighboring Yaogangxian (which is overwhelmingly cubic).
Minerals Produced Here
- Arsenopyrite (毒砂矿)
- Bismuthinite (辉铋矿)
- Cassiterite (锡石)
- Fluorite (萤石)
- Topaz (黄玉)
- Wolframite (黑钨矿)
- Xenotime (磷钇矿)
