Yarrow Barite Mine: Rockhounding in Timiskaming District, Ontario

Plan your visit

Confirm rules before collecting

County

Timiskaming District

Province

Ontario

Nearest road

Asbestos Mine Road

Postal code

P0K 1M0

Coordinates

47.89807, -80.76787

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground and access before you head out.

Land & collecting status

Confirm rules before collecting

Land status here is not confirmed. National and provincial parks prohibit collecting, while Crown land and many beaches allow it. Verify with the managing agency before you collect.

Access note: Old barite mine near Matachewan, worked in the 1930s. From Matachewan, take the Asbestos Mine Road southwest for 10 km to the bridge over the narrows of Mistinikon Lake and park just past it. An abandoned road on the south side leads a short way to the tailings piles. A regional tourism guide sends rockhounds here, but no source says who holds the land or the mining rights. Check the claim status before you collect, and stay out of the open workings.

Collecting rules in Canada are set provincially and by land owner. Crown land and many public beaches allow casual hand collecting, while provincial and national parks are off-limits. Confirm the rules for this site before you dig.