Vanadinite

specimen number:
2072269

location:
Mibladen, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:
Lustrous red crystals of vanadinite covering the top of matrix. In good condition.

The Mibladen mining district, located near the town of Midelt in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, is world-famous for producing the finest known specimens of vanadinite. Geologically, the deposit consists of lead-zinc-copper mineralization hosted within Jurassic-aged dolomitic limestones and marls, where the vanadinite formed as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of these lead-bearing ore bodies. The crystals from this locality are prized for their brilliant hexagonal tabular form, high luster, and intense deep-red to orange-red coloration. Historically, mining in Mibladen began under French colonial administration in the early 20th century, with industrial-scale lead extraction peaking between the 1930s and the 1970s. While large-scale commercial operations for lead ore largely ceased in 1983, the mines have remained extremely active through the work of local artisanal miners who continue to hand-quarry the tunnels specifically for mineral specimens. Today, Mibladen remains a primary global source for vanadinite, with hundreds of independent miners maintaining the tradition of specimen recovery that has made the site a legendary name in international mineralogy.

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