Geology

The largest known radiolarite bound manganese ore deposits in the Grisons are located in two abandoned manganese mines at Falotta and Parsettens, near the village of Tinizong. The two quarries lie within different tectonic units of the upper penninic Platta-nappe.

In these units a relatively thin sequence of pelagic sediments have been deposited on top of basic extrusiva. The sedimentary sequence begins with manganese ore bearing radiolarites. The ores consisting of braunite and quartz, are millimetre to centimetre thick, syn-sedimentary deposited layers. The radiolarites are overlain by red-green banded siliceous schist's, which are covered by banded massive marbles ("Aptychenkalk").

Repeated monoaxial deformation has led to local accumulations of ore bearing radiolarites. In the Falotta mine, the ore bearing radiolarites have been tectonically abraded and subsequently accumulated by the shearing motion of the overlying units during the emplacement of the Platta-nappe. In both mines, the manganese ores occur as isolated ore bodies which have been concentrated in fold hinges. Further tectonic processes in different degrees of refolding and kataklasis, which formed a variety of secondary manganese ore minerals, structures and textures. The main ore mineral in both deposits is post-sedimentary but pre-tectonically formed braunite. Syn-tectonic dynamic neomineralisation has partially or fully replaced the braunite by parsettensite, sursassite, rhodonite and tinzenite. A final phase leads to small but richly mineralized fills of fissures and cracks in both the host rock and ore.   home

The exploitation of the two abandoned manganese ore deposits was beginning in the 19th century, it is nevertheless possible that the deposits were known much earlier. At a first period they were exploited for iron ore and closed 1892 in a disaster.

The supply position during the first world war made a first bigger exploitation of manganese ore from 1916 - 1919 necessary. Out of the mass of a landslide near the Alp digl Plaz and at Parsettens in the Val d'Err, 2500 t of ore were produced.

During the second world war, the supply of manganese ceased again. Between 1942 - 1945 about  2500 t of manganese ore were mined at Parsettens. The ore was brought with a funicular to the Alp d'Err and with the help of carts and sledges down to Tinizong.
From 1944 to 1945 about 1800 t of manganese ore were produced at Falotta and with the help of two aerial cableways brought down to the Alp digl Plaz and then to Rona.

The rights for the exploitation of Falotta and Parsettens were by the vonRoll'schen Eisenwerke at Choindez. The ore was produced by surface mining. Since 1945 the mines are abandoned.  home

The different mines are situated between Tiefencastel and the Julierpass on the territory of the municipality Tinizong in the Grisons. home

Walking to the abandoned manganese deposit of  Falotta
 

The manganese deposit of Falotta is situated at 2138 m above sea level, at the south ridge of the Piz Falotta about two hours from the village of Rona at the road which leads to the Julierpass. The footpath to the mine starts at Rona, then up to the higher part of the village. Here a signpost points to the Alp digl Plaz. We follow the path trough the forest to the alp. According to season a various flora can be seen.   

The fountain on the Alp digl Plaz invites to a cool gulp. Before the path rises again, we cross the Veia Surmirana, a footpath from the Julierpass down to Thusis. We follow the old miner way through a scrub of alder. If we are lucky, we can meet chamois and marmots, certainly, however, a unique alpine flora. Soon we leave the alder bushes and follow the brook up to a flat place, then to the west, up to the quarry.

◄      Excellent view to the
          villages of the Surses.

 ◄◄  Bird view from the
          manganese
          deposit of Falotta.

The deposits of Parsettens are situated at 2255 m above sea level nearly at the end of the Val d'Err. From the Julierpass road at Tinizong, a small route leads to Pensa and ahead to the Val d'Err.  Time from Tinizong to the deposit about 3 hours.

We start in the middle of the village Tinizong. A signpost points to Pensa / Alp d'Err. On the road up to the first bend, then alternately between path and street up to the alp village Pensa, there we cross the river following the private road through the forest to the entrance of the Val d'Err.

Now the valley opens, the road rises little by little to the Alp d'Err. In the early morning hours it is possible to see herds of hundred and more deer, but also chamois and marmots can be observed by keeping quiet. The flora is similarly rich like on the way to Falotta. Further behind in the valley a path is leading from the road in direction of a small concreted place, passes the river and rises up to the quarries.

While returning it is worthwhile to visit the Alp d'Err where we can refresh ourselves with a cool glass of milk. If you don't like to descend on the same way, mount approx. 15 minutes up to the Parsettens pass, from there down to Demat and back to Pensa.

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