Cerussite with Malachite

specimen number:
8282074

location:
M'fouati Mine, Bouenza, Republic of Congo

description:

A superb combination piece for this area, white lustrous twinned crystals of cerussite measuring to 2.2 cm in size or beautifully placed across the top of a velvety green crystallized malachite matrix. In great condition, this one is excellent.

The M'fouati Mine, located in the Bouenza Department of the Republic of Congo, is situated within a prominent limestone hill structure characteristic of the region. Geologically, the deposit is defined by complex, multiphase copper, lead, and zinc mineralization formed within fractured limestone where cavities and fissures became filled with manganese wad and hydrothermal secondary minerals. Mining operations in the area expanded significantly during the mid-twentieth century under French colonial administration and subsequent industrial development to extract base metals. Beyond its commercial metal production, the mine has gained international recognition among mineral collectors for producing fine specimens of secondary copper, lead, and zinc minerals such as hemimorphite, smithsonite, azurite, and malachite.

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