Where to Find Chalcopyrite in Missouri

Chalcopyrite is the principal copper sulfide in Missouri's Mississippi Valley ores, where it occurs as a minor associate of galena and sphalerite. The Viburnum Trend mines (Sweetwater, Buick, Brushy Creek) produce tetrahedral chalcopyrite up to two centimeters on dolomite matrix, often with iridescent tarnish films. The Old Lead Belt around Bonne Terre yields smaller chalcopyrite grains in massive galena ore. Mine La Motte in Madison County adds chalcopyrite alongside its copper-cobalt-nickel ores. Surface specimens tarnish quickly to peacock colors; freshly fractured crystals are bright brassy yellow and a fingernail-scratch test distinguishes from pyrite.

Best counties for chalcopyrite in Missouri

Ranked by the number of mapped chalcopyrite spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.

Crawford County2 spots
Iron County2 spots
Boone County1 spot
Cole County1 spot
Jasper County1 spot
Knox County1 spot
Lincoln County1 spot
Madison County1 spot
Moniteau County1 spot
Phelps County1 spot
Saint Francois County1 spot
Shannon County1 spot

Every chalcopyrite spot we track in Missouri

Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.

Spot	County	Minerals	Coordinates	Access
Adrian’s QuarryUS 63	Boone County	Calcite Chalcopyrite Marcasite Millerite Pyrite	38.6723, -92.2290	Public
Cole CountyMO BB	Cole County	Barite Calcite Cerussite Chalcopyrite Dolomite Hematite Galena Malachite +4 more	38.3686, -92.3916	Public
Copper Hill MineWatson Road	Crawford County	Azurite Barite Chalcopyrite Gypsum Hematite Malachite Marcasite Pyrite +1 more	38.1872, -91.1082	Public
SullivanFarris Road	Crawford County	Azurite Chalcocite Chalcopyrite Copper Cuprite Hematite Malachite Pyrite	38.1596, -91.1642	Public
Bixby	Iron County	Bornite Chalcocite Chalcopyrite Galena Malachite Marcasite Millerite Pyrite +1 more	37.6029, -91.1169	Public
Cuthbertson MountainBerryman Road	Iron County	Hematite Pyrolusite Chalcopyrite Copper Epidote Garnet Malachite	37.5422, -90.6512	Public
JoplinNorth 3rd Street	Jasper County	Apatite Aragonite Azurite Barite Calcite Cerussite Chalcopyrite Chrysocolla +5 more	37.1950, -94.4756	Public
NewarkMO E	Knox County	Calcite Chalcopyrite Goethite Malachite Pyrite Quartz	39.9759, -91.9786	Public
TroyHampel Road	Lincoln County	Calcite Marcasite Pyrite Chalcopyrite Malachite Millerite Quartz Sphalerite	38.9185, -90.9386	Public
FredericktownCounty Road 274	Madison County	Aragonite Azurite Calcite Cerussite Chalcocite Chalcopyrite Dolomite Galena +5 more	37.6154, -90.2847	Public
Eldon & EttervilleHobby Horse Road	Moniteau County	Barite Calcite Cerussite Dolomite Galena Malachite Marcasite Pyrite +3 more	38.4400, -92.5802	Public
Moselle Iron MinesCounty Road 7240	Phelps County	Amethyst Arsenopyrite Azurite Chalcopyrite Hematite Malachite Marcasite Pyrite +1 more	37.8346, -91.8288	Public
St. Francois CountyHawthorne Street	Saint Francois County	Barite Goethite Pyrite Quartz Cerussite Chalcopyrite Galena Malachite +2 more	37.8948, -90.5261	Public
EminenceOld Highway 19	Shannon County	Calcite Chalcopyrite Cuprite Dolomite Malachite Fluorite	37.0984, -91.3161	Public

Before you go

Read the chalcopyrite identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Chalcopyrite in the encyclopedia.

Chalcopyrite in Missouri FAQ

Where can you find chalcopyrite in Missouri?+

The mapped spots concentrate in Crawford County County, Iron County County, and Boone County County. Known collecting areas include Sweetwater mine (Reynolds County), Brushy Creek mine (Iron County), and Mine La Motte (Madison County). Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.

How many chalcopyrite spots are mapped in Missouri?+

14 spots across 12 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.

Is it legal to collect chalcopyrite in Missouri?+

Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 14 of the 14 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

Where else to find chalcopyrite

More minerals to hunt in Missouri

Hunt chalcopyrite in Missouri with the map in your pocket

RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.