Where to Find Malachite in Missouri

Missouri malachite is a secondary mineral on the state's copper-bearing lead-zinc ores. The Old Lead Belt mines at Mine La Motte in Madison County produced green crusts and small botryoidal malachite on dolomite breccia, often with chalcopyrite and azurite associations. The Viburnum Trend mines south of Salem yield minor malachite as coatings on copper-bearing sphalerite ore. The Sweetwater mine has produced specimen-grade malachite alongside the famous calcite. Surface showings are uncommon in Missouri compared to Arizona or Utah, and most collectors pick up malachite as a bonus while hunting calcite and galena.

Open the full map

Every malachite spot we track in Missouri

Best spotFabius RiverLewis County, MissouriPublic access · Geode, Calcite, Malachite +4
FredericktownMadison County, MissouriPublic access · Aragonite, Azurite, Calcite +10
Cole CountyCole County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Cerussite +9
SteelvilleCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Allophane, Amethyst, Azurite +9
Eldon & EttervilleMoniteau County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Cerussite +8
St. Francois CountySaint Francois County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Goethite, Pyrite +7
BixbyIron County, MissouriPublic access · Bornite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite +6
Copper Hill MineCrawford County, MissouriPermission required · Azurite, Barite, Chalcopyrite +6
Moselle Iron MinesPhelps County, MissouriPublic access · Amethyst, Arsenopyrite, Azurite +6
Old MinesWashington County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Galena +6
St. FrancisvilleClark County, MissouriPublic access · Geode, Barite, Calcite +5
SullivanCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Azurite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite +5
TroyLincoln County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Marcasite, Pyrite +5
Cuthbertson MountainIron County, MissouriPublic access · Hematite, Pyrolusite, Chalcopyrite +4
EminenceShannon County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Cuprite +3
Hinch Copper MineCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Copper, Cuprite, Limonite +3
NewarkKnox County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Goethite +3
ScotiaCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Azurite, Goethite, Hematite +3

Standout malachite spots in Missouri

Hand-picked from the full list above, with the reason each one earns a trip.

Fabius River
Lewis County
The Fabius River drainage in Lewis County cuts through the Warsaw Formation on the southern margin of the Keokuk geode belt, releasing geodes lined with quartz, calcite, aragonite, and trace sulfides into the river gravels.

Best counties for malachite in Missouri

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

Crawford County5 spots
Iron County2 spots
Clark County1 spot
Cole County1 spot
Knox County1 spot
Lewis County1 spot
Lincoln County1 spot
Madison County1 spot
Moniteau County1 spot
Phelps County1 spot
Saint Francois County1 spot
Shannon County1 spot
Washington County1 spot

Before you go

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

Malachite in Missouri FAQ

Where can you find malachite in Missouri?+

The mapped spots concentrate in Crawford County, Iron County, and Clark County. Known collecting areas include Mine La Motte (Madison County), Sweetwater mine (Reynolds County), and Buick mine (Iron County). Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.

How many malachite spots are mapped in Missouri?+

18 spots across 13 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 malachite 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. 17 of the 18 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

Where else to find malachite

More minerals to hunt in Missouri

Hunt malachite 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.