Erythrite

specimen number:
2072308

location:
Shaft 1, Bou Azzer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco

description:
Pinkish purple crystallized erythrite across the top of matrix. In good condition.

The Bou Azzer mining district, located in the central Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco, is a world-renowned mineralogical site situated within a Neoproterozoic ophiolite complex. Geologically, the deposit is characterized by hydrothermal veins that formed along the contact between serpentinite and quartz-diorite, creating a unique geochemical environment rich in cobalt, nickel, and arsenic. The locality is the premier global source for erythrite, a secondary cobalt arsenate mineral, which occurs there as spectacular, deep magenta to crimson-red bladed crystals that can reach several centimeters in length. Historically, mining and quarrying in the Bou Azzer area began in the early 1930s following the discovery of cobalt-rich outcrops by French prospectors. Industrial operations expanded significantly throughout the mid-20th century to meet the global demand for cobalt, with the main underground workings remaining consistently active through the 2010s. As of 2026, Bou Azzer remains one of the few places in the world where cobalt is mined as a primary product rather than a byproduct, and it continues to be a top-tier locality for researchers and collectors seeking the finest examples of crystallized erythrite.

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