Lecht Mine
Geological Conservation Review site | GCR #2427 | Mineralogy | Mineralogy of Scotland
Scotland's geosites are chosen because of their local, national or international importance. Take only photos, leave only footprints: avoid causing any damage to this site. You can walk almost anywhere in Scotland without the need to ask permission or keep to paths, but you have a responsibility to care for your own safety, to respect people's privacy and peace of mind and to cause no damage.
This site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of a SSSI, and this includes unauthorised sample collection.
The right of access does not extend to quarries, building sites or any land where public access is prohibited, or to the collection of geological samples.
Summary
Lecht Mine is a former iron and manganese mining site located in the parish of Kirkmichael, Moray, Scotland. Operating from 1730 for 7 years and again from 1841 for 5 years but never commercially successful. Today only the building of the crushing plant remains, refurbished in 1980.
The lecht Fe-Mine deposit was originally interpreted as a vein running parallel to the regional strike of the Dalradian country rocks. However, recent investigations have shown that it does not represent a gossan to either a vein system or stratifrom mineralisation, but merely a bog iron ore deposit in a deep palaeosoil profile. However, the dimensions of the original opencast working (250m x 50m x 25m deep) testify to the size of this uniquely preserved British example of a deposit type commonly found in Arctic regions. The mineralogy is also interesting, complex Zn-Mn oxides being present in addition to Lithiophorite ((Li,Al) MnO2(OH2)) and the more common iron and manganese oxide minerals. Cryptomelane has a significant thallium content. The locality offers a unique opportunity to study palaeoregolith development in Britain.
Site information
Access
Easily accessible from the A939, the Lecht Road. Good car parking and picnic area with the mine site a short walk alongside a small stream.
Further information
https://www.mindat.org/loc-52786.html
Lecht mine entry in Mindat
Dave Longstaff
June 9, 2024
Approach track to Lecht mine looking northeastwards. Small stream is to the right.
Dave Longstaff
June 7, 2024
Main crushing plant from the west. Refurbished in 1980.
Dave Longstaff
June 7, 2024
Lecht mine crushing plant from a spoil tip looking southeastwards. Note spoil tip almost covered in vegetation hindering the prospect of any mineral collecting.
Dave Longstaff
June 9, 2024
Interpretation board displaying the layout of the Lecht mine.
Dave Longstaff
June 9, 2024
Interpretation board inside Lecht mine crushing plant.
Dave Longstaff
June 9, 2024
Detail of production process at Lecht mine