Dalmatian Stone is a visually striking ornamental rock known for its cream to beige matrix speckled with dark, rounded spots that resemble the coat of a Dalmatian dog. Beyond its playful appearance, this material occupies an interesting place at the intersection of geology, lapidary craft, and popular crystal lore. In this article you will find […]
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Botswana Agate is one of the most admired varieties of banded chalcedony, prized for its delicate concentric lines, subtle pastel tones and striking “fortification” patterns. This article explores its geology, natural occurrence, practical uses, lapidary treatment, market role and some lesser-known facts that make it a favorite among collectors and artisans. You will find descriptions
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The Kolwezi mining area in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the planet’s most important sources of copper and cobalt. Nestled on the high, mineral-rich plateau of the Katanga region (today administratively part of Lualaba Province), Kolwezi combines deep geological significance, a long and complex industrial history, and
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Blue Lace Agate is a gentle, banded variety of chalcedony prized for its soft blue hues and intricate, lacy patterns. Its appearance evokes cloud-streaked skies and delicate textiles, which has made it a favorite among lapidaries, jewelers, collectors and those interested in metaphysical practices. This article explores the stone’s geological origins, where it is found,
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The Kibali mine is one of Africa’s most prominent and ambitious gold projects, located deep in the northeastern reaches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Combining large-scale open-pit and underground operations with a modern processing plant and extensive on-site infrastructure, Kibali has reshaped the local economy and reactivated a historic gold district. This article
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The element with the chemical symbol osmium occupies a peculiar place among the metals: extremely rare, astonishingly dense, and chemically distinctive. Found in trace amounts across a handful of geologic settings, osmium and its compounds have intrigued chemists, geologists and technologists for over two centuries. This article explores where osmium appears in nature, how it
The global relationship between large-scale public works and commodity markets is complex and often decisive for basic industrial cycles. When an economy embarks on an era of rapid infrastructure expansion — whether driven by stimulus packages, urban development, or strategic connectivity projects — the ripple effects extend to raw materials markets, most notably to iron
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The Tenke Fungurume mining complex is one of the most consequential mineral assets on the African continent. Located in the mineral-rich heart of southern Congo, this operation produces large volumes of copper and cobalt that flow into global industrial and high-tech supply chains. The mine’s geology, production profile, history of ownership, economic footprint and the
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Red Jasper is a striking, earthy stone that has been admired by cultures around the world for its rich color, tactile solidity, and multifaceted uses. As a member of the microcrystalline quartz family, it offers both aesthetic appeal for jewelers and lapidaries and a tapestry of cultural meanings that span millennia. This article explores where
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The KOV Open Pit, located in the mineral-rich heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most important surface mining operations in the Central African copper-cobalt belt. As a modern open-pit operation it exemplifies the intersection of geology, large-scale industrial mining, global commodity demand and the social-environmental challenges that accompany mineral extraction
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