Yea its a rock, but a special one?

Question

Considered God's hidden treasure, it is an cave filled with Tourmaline, Aquamarine, Topaz and Quartz crystals, unspoilt in total wilderness, situated near Swakopmund Namibia. Should I destroy the natural surrounding by mining or preserve? This may be the largest find in the world. Similar finds estimated 570M years old. Can be viewed, pic's available. Can $ value be attatched to such a find?

Answer 1

If it brings value to the people that mine it Yes.

For your information small scale gem mining or small gold mining does more for the people in the surrounding area then it does the do-gooder ecowhacks that want to stop it.

Tourmaline fetches good money, as does aquamarine, topaz, diamonds and opals.

I am a recreational prospector, I spend weekends and summers looking for treasure. Without mineral exploration you would not have a computer, (which might be a good thing). Dolts like you have no clue as you've likely not put in a hard days work in your life. You come out of liberal arts college taught by socialist professors and see mining as a blight. When without mining or farming the world would be a much different place.

Hell yes mine it.. If you can stake a claim on it have the back to work the claim why the hell not??

Answer 2

I'd have to definitely say preserve it. But it all depends. As gangue minerals, tourmaline, aquamarine and topaz not to mention quartz are of little economic value they are merely ornamental minerals so it'd be easy to make the argument for conservation.

However you must also consider if there are any particularly valuable ore minerals in or around the cave and in what concentrations in order to fully justify conservation.

When one takes into account the processes and time-scales involved in the formation of perfect crystals of any considerable size and of minerals such as topaz or tourmaline it's unavoidable to conclude that it's certainly a gift from nature that must be duly appreciated.

To put things in perspective, consider the improbability of such beautiful and ordered patterns emerging from absolute randomness and completely chaotic processes, is such a thing worth saving? Most definitely.

As far as money goes there are many mineral nuts such as myself out there, some with large amounts of resources who would pay almost anything for such beautiful crystals. Although I'd almost consider it a crime to chop down the crystals just to sell them on the open market. Rest assured there exists such a thing as mineral smugglers and if the crystals aren't already out there, they will be sooner or later.

Answer 3

Of course $$ values can be attached, Who owns the property? or can a claim be staked making you the owner? What risk is involved and who benefits? No treasure on Earth remains hidden for long; if you found it someone else will too. My concern is for your safety and the well-being of the ones you love, can you manage a find like this without jeopardizing yourself, your family and your friends?

Answer 4

Probably not.