The Crystal Cave of the Giants in Mexico’s Naica mine contains selenite crystals up to 36 feet long and weighing up to 55 tons. Discovered in 2000, the cave is difficult to access due to its depth and high temperature. The mining company would like to develop it for tourism, but protecting the crystals is a concern.
The largest known natural crystals in the world are found in the Crystal Cave of the Giants, inside the Naica mine in northern Mexico. The cave is filled with selenite crystals up to 36 feet (11 m) long and weighing up to 55 tons. These crystals are so impressive that when their photos first hit the internet, the vast majority of observers labeled them fake. These naturally occurring crystals reached their size by growing over millions of years in near-perfect conditions, submerged in mineral-rich water with a constant, optimal temperature of 136 degrees F (58 degrees C).
The Cave of Natural Crystals was discovered in 2000, when miners Juan and Pedro Sanchez were digging a new tunnel in the Naica mine for the Industrias Penoles company. Previous drilling had drained the lower reaches of the mine of water and miners were looking for mineral deposits in unexplored regions of the mountain. What they found was unprecedented. The responsible engineer, Roberto Gonzalez, immediately recognized the significance of the find and ordered the tunnel to be diverted. The room had a temperature of 150 degrees F and had 100% humidity. Without protective gear, the miners could only spend about eight minutes there.
Unfortunately, in the first few weeks after the natural crystals were discovered, there was harm to these unscrupulous miners who tried to take some of them away. A miner who snuck into the cave to steal crystals brought plastic bags filled with air in an attempt to lengthen the time he could spend there; unfortunately for him, this strategy (predictably) backfired. He passed out and was later found completely cooked. Soon after, the mining company installed an iron door to protect the beautiful natural crystals. Unfortunately, Mexico’s laws don’t protect minerals from theft, meaning only a physical barrier can stop thieves.
The mining company that discovered the Crystal Cave of the Giants would like to develop the cave for tourism, but doing so could be difficult. About 1000 feet (304m) below the surface, the cave is deep for a public visit, plus something would need to be done about the high temperature. There is concern that lowering the temperature to a more tolerable range could damage the crystals. To protect the cave, the idea of applying for World Heritage status was floated. It may be that the cave is never opened to the public.
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