Malachite (w. chalcocite and cuprite); ore specimen.

TSNB854
Specimen
Bruce, I.Kesler CollectionSchneiderhöhn, H.
Exhibit 1. Malachite (w. chalcocite and cuprite); ore specimen. 112 mm.
Exhibit 1. Malachite (w. chalcocite and cuprite); ore specimen. 112 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Specimen label (Schneiderhöhn).
Exhibit 2. Specimen label (Schneiderhöhn).
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Malachite (w. chalcocite and cuprite); ore specimen.

Associated Minerals

calcite; cerussite (?); chalcocite; cuprite; goethite; quartz

Principal Mineral

Malachite

Precursor Mineral

Pyrite

Size

Cabinet; 112mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone; Open Pit; East; second mining level

Provenance

Schneiderhöhn, H.; Kesler Collection; Bruce, I.

Collection

Southwood, M.; MS2025.060

Collected by

Hans Schneiderhöhn; 1914-1919

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB854

Description

A mineralised dolostone breccia, with angular clasts of off-white to yellowish dolostone cemented by chalcocite-rich sulphide / quartz mineralisation in which the sulphide is quite extensively oxidised to cuprite, malachite and possibly some cerussite (?). A few cubic pseudomorphs of goethite after pyrite (to 12 mm) are also present.


The specimen was collected by OMEG geologist/mineralogist Hans Schneiderhöhn between 1914 and 1919 and is accompanied by his handwritten label (Exhibit 2) which reads: "Tagebau Ost, II. Abbausohle. Hangender Dolomit mit einzelnen Quarz-Verkieselung nestern, darin Pseudomorphosen von Brauneisen nach Pyrit." [= Open Pit East, second mining level. Hanging wall dolomite with isolated silicified quartz pockets, in which pseudomorphs of limonite after pyrite occur] (Ernst Schnaitmann translation, November 2025).