Brixham Town Design Statement 2011 - 2015 - Torbay Council

Sharkham Iron Mine
Designations
SSSI, Proposed CGS/RIGS
The former mine workings reveal a form of mineralisation that is virtually unique to the region
GCR block / key theme
Mineralogy
Associated SSSI
Berry Head to Sharkham Point SSSI
Geological / geomorphological features
[Provisional] Sharkham Iron Mine is a remarkable but little known geological site. The deposit is characterised by hematite replacement of
Devonian lime stones, associated with limestone breccias and localised developments of botryoidal goethite, limonite and hematite. Some
surfaces show patches and radiating crystals of white and pink barite. The source of the iron was almost certainly from Permian ‘red beds' in the
area, probably via circulating hot fluids migrating along fractures. The process of replacement is likely to be similar to that known in South
Wales, where iron minerals replace zones in Lower Carboniferous lime stones close to an unconformity with Triassic red-beds. Although the
former opencast workings are largely filled in, good exposures remain in the coastal slope.
Reasons for proposal as a CGS / RIGS sites
The former mine workings reveal a form of mineralisation that is virtually unique in the region, and which postdates the better known Variscan
phase of metallogenesis in south-west England. An important site with an associated cultural significance, although requiring improvements to
access to realise its full educational potential.
Shoalstone
Designations: GCR (No: 1494), SSSI
GCR block / key theme: Permian - Triassic
Brixham Town Design Statement 2010 - 2015 Page 48