Description
Libethenite is a secondary copper phosphate mineral found in the oxidation zone of copper ore deposits, such as this one from the abandoned open pit Copper mine Miguel Vacas. This specimen shows an elongated vug abundantly covered with botryoidal, forest-green Pseudomalachite, peppered with numerous sharp, “octahedral” (the species is orthorhombic), gemmy Libethenite crystals with a vitreous luster. Their color is more olive green. A very good piece from a classic Portuguese mine that was exploited from 1925 to 1986 by various companies .The open pit is now flooded, however, in 2015, a drilling program to explore the reserves was started in 2015.