Barite with Malachite

specimen number:
8311191

location:
Shangulowe Mine, Kambove, Lualaba, DR Congo

description:
A cluster of thick lustrous translucent green barite crystals with little attached matrix. The green color is due to inclusions of malachite. In good condition. This would have been collected in the 1990s.

The Shangulowe Mine, located in the Katanga Copper Belt of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is part of a region long known for its rich copper and cobalt deposits. Mining in the area has focused on extracting copper from stratiform and vein type deposits hosted in sedimentary rocks, with activity dating back to the early 20th century and continuing through various phases of development. In addition to its economic importance, Shangulowe is well known among collectors for its mineral specimens, particularly malachite and associated secondary minerals formed in the oxidized zones. One of the more unusual occurrences from the mine is barite containing inclusions of malachite, where green malachite is enclosed within translucent to white barite crystals. These specimens formed as mineral rich solutions deposited barite while trapping earlier formed malachite, creating visually striking combinations that are highly valued by collectors.

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