Minerals from the Congo

The Congo region, encompassing both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo (RoC), is one of the most mineral-rich areas in the world. Most collectors and dealers refer simply to “Congo,” though nearly all mineral specimens on the market come from the DRC.

The DRC is best known for its copper-cobalt belt in the Katanga (now Lualaba and Haut-Katanga) provinces. This area produces an exceptional range of colourful secondary minerals, including carrollite, cuprite, dioptase, malachite, chrysocolla, and cobaltocalcite. The malachite, in particular, is well known – often forming fibrous, botryoidal, or stalactitic structures, sometimes with chatoyancy. Dioptase crystals from Kimbedi and Tantara are also highly sought after.

Other notable minerals from the region include shattuckite, plancheite, and heterogenite. The quality and variety of mineral specimens from Congo have made it one of the most active African countries on the mineral market.

The Republic of the Congo (RoC), or Congo-Brazzaville, has far less visible mineral output. Some material has appeared from the Mindouli region, especially copper-related minerals, but these are rare and usually mislabelled or blended with DRC specimens.

Most labels use “Congo” or “Katanga,” and older pieces often say “Zaire.” Mislabelled specimens are not uncommon, especially with mine names often inconsistently spelled or loosely defined.

Congo (and DRoC)