Where to Find Pyrite in Ontario: 25 Mapped Sites
Ontario has 25 documented sites where pyrite have been reported, and the best-known are Thierry, Vermilion Mine, and Murray Mine. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Pyrite Map: Ontario
All 25 pyrite sites in Ontario. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Pyrite Are Found in Ontario
Pyrite grows in nearly every rock type: cubes in slate and shale, balls in concretions, massive seams in ore veins. Mine dumps, black-shale roadcuts, and creek concretions all produce it.
The richest reported sites in Ontario: Thierry, Vermilion Mine, Murray Mine, Copper Cliff Mine, Hoyle Pond Mine.
All Pyrite Sites in Ontario
- Thierry — Other
- Vermilion Mine — Other
- Murray Mine — Other
- Copper Cliff Mine — Other
- Hoyle Pond Mine — Other
- Mekim Mine — Other
- Hardy Mine — Other
- Levack East — Other
- Longvack South — Other
- Milnet Mine — Other
- Emo Prospect — Other
- Foy Mine — Other
- Grassy Portage Bay — Other
- Norpax — Other
- Beryl Pit — Paid Dig Site
- Hardy Open Pit — Other
- Populus Lake — Other
- Hardy-Boundary — Other
- Lakemount — Other
- Anaconda Claims — Other
- Eby Township — Other
- Texmont — Other
- Onex Mine — Other
- Schumacher Mine — Other
- Mcwalters — Other
How to Identify Pyrite
Pyrite is brassy metallic yellow with crystals as sharp cubes or 12-sided balls, faces often striated. The fool’s-gold test is simple: pyrite is hard (6–6.5) and brittle — a knife point makes it crumble to greenish-black powder — while real gold is soft, dents, and leaves a yellow streak. Pyrite is also noticeably lighter than gold.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find pyrite in Ontario?
Ontario has 25 mapped sites where pyrite have been reported. The best-known are Thierry, Vermilion Mine, and Murray Mine. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many pyrite sites are mapped in Ontario?
We have 25 documented pyrite sites in Ontario, compiled from provincial geological survey records and community submissions, reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect pyrite in Ontario?
Ontario permits hobby collecting with hand tools for personal use. It is prohibited in provincial and national parks and on staked claims or withdrawn land. Always verify land status before you dig.
How do I identify pyrite?
Pyrite is brassy metallic yellow with crystals as sharp cubes or 12-sided balls, faces often striated. The fool’s-gold test is simple: pyrite is hard (6–6.5) and brittle — a knife point makes it crumble to greenish-black powder — while real gold is soft, dents, and leaves a yellow streak. Pyrite is also noticeably lighter than gold.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in Ontario
Pyrite in Nearby Provinces
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.