Vanadinite with Barite

specimen number:
8311274

location:
Mibladen, Midelt, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:

A beautiful combination piece from this prolific locality. A white bladed barite crystal matrix is rich throughout on both sides with beautiful red tabular crystals of vanadinite. This is in good condition. Colorful and attractive large cabinet piece.

The Mibladen mining district, situated near Midelt in the Upper Moulouya Basin of Morocco, is a world-renowned locality famous for producing the finest vanadinite specimens ever discovered. Geologically, the area consists of stratabound lead-zinc deposits hosted within Jurassic-aged dolomitic limestone and marl layers. The mineralization occurred when hydrothermal fluids moved through fault systems and lateral karst structures, depositing primary galena which later underwent intense oxidation. This secondary process led to the formation of spectacular hexagonal vanadinite crystals, prized for their deep red color and high luster, often found on a contrasting white barite or goethite matrix. Historically, the French established modern mining operations at Mibladen in the late 1920s to extract lead and zinc. Large-scale industrial production continued through the mid-20th century under several companies until formal commercial mining ceased in 1983. Since the closure, the district has remained highly active as a source of specimens, with local artisanal miners continuing to hand-excavate the complex network of shafts and tunnels to recover world-class minerals for the global market.

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