Smithsonite

The Mfouati mining district in the Republic of the Congo has been known for its lead, zinc, and copper minerals since the early 1900s. Smithsonite from the area gained renewed attention after small pockets of vivid blue material were discovered at nearby Yanga Koubenza quarry around 2020–2021. Some of this smithsonite has a bright blue-green color and rounded, glossy surfaces that resemble classic specimens from Kelly Mine in New Mexico. The district is also known for minerals such as dioptase, wulfenite, cerussite, and aurichalcite.