Republic of Congo!
Ever in need of more specimens, I forwent the typical LA New Years and instead spent it in a small Congolese town near various mining sites (and I should point out, this was the Republic of Congo, not the relatively insane Democratic Republic of Congo). Despite the area being a US State Dept “Level 4: Do not travel” I was pleasantly surprised to find that things had mostly settled down, and places that I would have gotten killed trying to visit 2 years ago now even had Chinese companies popping up— of course in the typically fearless, business-first fashion of many Chinese companies, many were there even during the war. People who 2 years ago were fighting against the government are today (mostly) just normal folks, and some even sold specimens. I’ll admit— going to the first couple villages made me a bit uneasy, especially carrying money. But, my general belief is that most people are at least neutral unless you give them a reason to shift in either direction, and those few who would do harm are more willing to cheat you than hurt you... whether it’s Pakistan, Congo or Peru, it has generally held... though I must say, Mexico is a bit more unhinged.
In the vast expanse of dioptase green hills, it is incredible how these people continue to find specimens— actually, in many cases (Mfouati, Ntola) today’s diggings are on the sites of old Soviet or abandoned Chinese worksites, and as in other parts of Africa, it is the Chinese who have the most visible presence— constructing highways, operating factories, mines and schools. In counties where I look different, I usually get strange stares from small children in rural villages who are unaccustomed to other ethnicities, but what one slightly confused little girl said was particularly telling: “Mom, he’s not Chinese!” And on a less pertinent note, there was another kid who just burst out crying when he saw my face.....
I don’t usually write personal notes, but I really enjoy this “work,” meeting people, eating random things (years of this has given me an iron stomach) and visiting places I would see in atlases as a kid, but never imagined I would have a reason to go in person. It isn’t without challenges— in central Africa I’m sure you can imagine the list. But, thanks to all of you who have supported this website over the years and given me these opportunities. And thanks especially to the people in all these countries who help me on the ground and make this possible... if anyone believes I can just fly to the place listed on a specimen label and walk out with rocks, they are giving me too much credit.
List
Grid
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens. Sadly, given the delicate nature of this species and the somewhat rough extraction methods, few larger pieces (and yes, this counts as larger) survive.
For its size, this was one of the most aesthetic pieces I obtained. There was a fair amount of it, but most was not even sellable, leave alone of a quality I would like to post on the website.
A great example of cerussite on malachite, from recent finds int he general Boko Songho-Mfouati area. In addition to the cerussite/ malachite combinations, there have also been some pyromorphite malachite combinations in a way they seem sort of like deconstructed versions of the classic examples from Rum Jungle, Australia.
As with most things from this country, it is really, really hard to get an example that has not been beaten to hell. This one does have some damage, but the overall richness of the reticulated cerussite snowflakes masks it well.
I would say these are one of the hardest things to find good examples of-- not only is the cerussite extremely brittle, but the malachite scuffs up as well. And considering local extraction methods, getting anything that is isn't totally scuffed or shattered is something of a miracle.
A great example of smoky, reticulated cerussite from recent finds at Mfouati. This piece is special because it hosts a perfect cluster *on matrix.*. This matrix is usually a bit friable, cerussite is delicate, and the way that specimens are beaten out of the ground, almost nothing makes it out intact, leave alone on matrix.
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens.
For whatever reason, I really do like this one...
Saw marks on the back.
A great example of dioptase from Reneville. This location is further east than the bulk of the other dioptase producing localities, and is also one of the older ones-- the mines in this area were once operated (and later abandoned) by the French, and today are gradually coming to life again thanks to the efforts of Chinese companies and locals hunting for specimens.
Dioptase from his locality is quite distinctive-- for one thing the crystals are very large, and they are also somewhat more tightly packed.
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens. Sadly, given the delicate nature of this species and the somewhat rough extraction methods, few pieces survive in as good condition.
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens. Sadly, given the delicate nature of this species and the somewhat rough extraction methods, few pieces survive in as good condition.
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens. Sadly, given the delicate nature of this species and the somewhat rough extraction methods, few pieces survive in as good condition.
A beautiful example of reticulated smoky cerussite with minor yellow mimetite, from recent finds at Mfouati.
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens. Sadly, given the delicate nature of this species and the somewhat rough extraction methods, few pieces survive in as good condition.
This location sits atop a hill that was worked for ore from the 60's to 80's by French and Soviet mining enterprises. Today the mine is long abandoned and only concrete ruins remain, but local entrepreneurs continue to work the site for specimens. Sadly, given the delicate nature of this species and the somewhat rough extraction methods, few pieces survive in as good condition.
A great example of cerussite on malachite, from recent finds int he general Boko Songho-Mfouati area. In addition to the cerussite/ malachite combinations, there have also been some pyromorphite malachite combinations in a way they seem sort of like deconstructed versions of the classic examples from Rum Jungle, Australia.
As with most things from this country, it is really, really hard to get an example that has not been beaten to hell. This one does have some damage, but the overall richness of the reticulated cerussite snowflakes masks it well.
I would say these are one of the hardest things to find good examples of-- not only is the cerussite extremely brittle, but the malachite scuffs up as well. And considering local extraction methods, getting anything that is isn't totally scuffed or shattered is something of a miracle.
