Where to Find Pyrite in Quebec: 5 Mapped Sites
Quebec has 5 documented sites where pyrite have been reported, and the best-known are Lac Encoude, Rivière Opawica, and Talisman. 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: Quebec
All 5 pyrite sites in Quebec. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Pyrite Are Found in Quebec
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 Quebec: Lac Encoude, Rivière Opawica, Talisman, Baie Sioui, SHEPARD.
All Pyrite Sites in Quebec
- Lac Encoude — Other
- Rivière Opawica — Other
- Talisman — Other
- Baie Sioui — Other
- SHEPARD — 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 Quebec?
Quebec has 5 mapped sites where pyrite have been reported. The best-known are Lac Encoude, Rivière Opawica, and Talisman. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many pyrite sites are mapped in Quebec?
We have 5 documented pyrite sites in Quebec, compiled from provincial geological survey records and community submissions, reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect pyrite in Quebec?
More than 90% of Quebec is public land, and the government publishes a list of designated collecting sites. Parks, active claims, and private land are off limits. 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.
Data: SIGÉOM © Gouvernement du Québec (CC BY 4.0) — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.