History of Wawa
William Teddy discovered gold on Wawa Lake in 1897. The population of Wawa village quickly grew with 1,700 claims staked in 1898. However, most gold production stopped by 1906. Beginning in 1914 with the completion of the Algoma Central Railway, gold production commenced again from 22 prospects.
Gold production had slowed by 1906, but as mining technology improved, additional amounts began to be extracted from the area. Gold mining in the Wawa area prospered and receded several times in the 20th century, and it continues today.
Top Gold Producers from Wawa Area
Grace Mine (1902-1944). -> 15,191 ounces;
Minto Mine (1929-1942), -> 37,678 ounces;
Parkhill Mine (1902-1944) -> 54,301 ounces;
Renabie Mine (1920-1991) -> 1.1 million ounces.
Currently, there are 2 operating mines – Richmont Island Gold and Wesdome Eagle River Mine, and Agonaut Prodigy Gold Mine and the Wawa Gold Project that are in the advanced exploration stage.
Who’s the Fool Here? (Pyrite)
Pyrite is a brass-yellow mineral with a bright metallic luster , and is primary composed of iron sulfide. It forms at high and low temperatures and occurs, usually in small quantities, in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks worldwide.
The name "pyrite" comes from the Greek word "pyr" meaning "fire." The name comes from the property of pyrite, that allows it to be struck against metal to create a spark, an has lead to it’s use as a spark-producing material in flintlock firearms
Nicknamed “Fool’s Gold”, Pyrate’s gold colour, metallic luster, has caused it to be mistaken for gold by many inexperienced prospectors.
However, pyrite is often associated with gold. The two minerals often form together. Some deposits of pyrite often contain enough gold to warrant mining.
Pyrite
Pyrite and gold can easily be distinguished. Gold is very soft and will bend or dent with pin pressure. Pyrite is brittle, and thin pieces will break with pin pressure. Gold leaves a yellow streak, while pyrite's streak is greenish black. A little careful testing will help you avoid being a Fool!
Gold
Gold is highly prized by people because of its attractive colour, its rarity, resistance to tarnish. No other element has more uses than gold, keeping the price of gold higher than all but a few other metals. Trace amounts of gold are found almost everywhere, but large deposits are found in only a few locations, such as the Wawa area.
? Pyrite = Gold ?
The most important use of pyrite is as an ore of gold. Gold and pyrite form under similar conditions and occur together in the same rocks. In some deposits small amounts of gold occur as inclusions and substitutions within pyrite. Some pyrites can contain up to 0.25% gold by weight. Although this is a tiny fraction of the ore, the value of gold is so high that the pyrite might be a worthwhile mining target.
Telling the Difference
If the above information, is not enough to help you tell the difference between golden pyrite, I have included a link to a video I found (kind of corny), but will help you tell the difference. Link: https://youtu.be/TQ2DFMmIMR0
To claim this EarthCache, Visit GZ, and examine the minerals on the rock containing the plaque “1897 - 1997 100 Years of Gold Mining in Michipicoten”
1) Using the information on the cache page, determine if the material embedded in this thin rock slice is Pyrite, Gold, or Both? Tell how you know?
(Use your eyes only, and look closely - do not do anything that may cause damage to the rock, or minerals in the rock)
2) Continue around the building to the opposite side of the building. You will find a number of signs, with history about the residents of Wawa - Which Husband and Wife are credited with the discovery of gold on the shores of Wawa Lake in 1897.
3) Of course (optional of course), a photo of yourself, thumb, or GPS with any of the mining related items around GZ would be appreciated.
Please No “Giant Goose Photos”
Source: https://geology.com/minerals/gold/uses-of-gold.shtml
https://geology.com/minerals/pyrite.shtml