Malachite with Cerussite (CAR-0012)

specimen number:
9273067

location:
Onderra Mine, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia

description:

A beautiful loose cluster radiating malachite crystals with little attached matrix. Small crystals of cerussite are present. Excellent condition all around. Very fine example for the species at this locality.

The Onderra mine, situated within the rugged Kaokoveld Plateau region of the Kunene Region in northwestern Namibia, is a localized mining operation internationally recognized by mineral collectors for producing vibrant, highly aesthetic specimens of secondary copper silicates, most notably rich royal-blue shattuckite and deep emerald-green dioptase, which are occasionally associated with crystalline wulfenite. Geologically, the deposit is hosted within the late Proterozoic to early Paleozoic sedimentary sequences of the Damara Orogen, specifically where the intercalated limestones, shales, and dolomites of the Obombo Subgroup were subjected to regional tectonic faulting and localized hydrothermal mineralization. Circulating metalliferous fluids deposited stratiform and vein-controlled primary copper and lead sulfides, which subsequently underwent profound supergene weathering and intense oxidation near the surface due to the region's arid, fluctuating climate, resulting in the formation of rich secondary mineral pockets within the shallow karst and regolith profiles. Historically, organized investigation of the area's surface outcroppings commenced through regional prospecting syndicates during the late twentieth century, but continuous development transitioned primarily to small-scale, highly selective artisanal open-pit quarrying and manual trenching operations during the early 2000s and 2010s. Because these specialized workings are operated largely by independent local miners and collector cooperatives specifically to extract intact crystal specimens rather than bulk industrial ore for metal smelting, the site has avoided large-scale mechanical destruction, remaining a reliable source of world-class reference minerals for the global market through 2026.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.