Chrysocolla pseudomorph with Malachite, Quartz

specimen number:
9505269

location:
Tenke-Fungurume, Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo

description:

A beautiful specimen showing bladed crystals of what were likely once azurite or barite measuring to 3.5 cm in length now replaced by sky-blue attractive chrysocolla. Green malachite scattered throughout, the entire specimen coated with a druse of sparkling micro quartz crystals. In very good condition as seen.

The Tenke-Fungurume mining district, located in the Lualaba Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of the worlds largest sediment-hosted copper and cobalt producers. Geologically, the deposits are situated within the Neoproterozoic Katanga Supergroup of the Central African Copperbelt, specifically hosted in the Roan Group rocks that underwent significant folding, faulting, and tectonic thrusting during the Lufilian Orogeny. The rich ore bodies feature deep supergene enrichment zones containing malachite, heterogenite, and chrysocolla overlying primary sulfide mineralization. Historically, indigenous artisanal mining preceded formal European exploration and prospecting in the early 20th century, followed by decades of interrupted development before modern large-scale industrial open-pit operations expanded rapidly in the 21st century.

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