AZURITIC BRECCIA
Rocks containing the copper hydroxy-carbonate minerals azurite and malachite are often quite attractive specimens. Below is a breccia that has extensive azurite mineralization (blue - Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2) with some minor malachite mineralization as well (green - Cu2CO3(OH)2). This azuritic breccia comes from the 5100’ level of the Phelps Dodge Morenci Mine, an open-pit mine on the west side of Chase Creek, north of the town of Morenci in western Greenlee County, southeastern Arizona, USA (33° 05’ 26” North, 109° 21’ 58” West).
Azuritic breccia (8.1 cm across) from southeastern Arizona, USA.