Where to Find Copper in Missouri: 7 Mapped Sites
Missouri has 7 documented sites where copper have been reported, and the best-known are Ruepple Iron Mine, Revelle Prospect, and Sullivan. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 5 of the 7 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Copper Map: Missouri
All 7 copper sites in Missouri. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Copper Are Found in Missouri
Look on old mine dumps in copper districts and, in the Lake Superior country, in basalt flows and glacial float. Oxidized surface zones of copper deposits also carry malachite, azurite, and cuprite.
The richest reported sites in Missouri: Ruepple Iron Mine, Revelle Prospect, Sullivan, Cuthbertson Mountain, Hinch Copper Mine.
Of the 7 sites, 5 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Copper Sites in Missouri
- Ruepple Iron Mine — Public Access
- Revelle Prospect — Forest Service
- Sullivan — Public Access
- Cuthbertson Mountain — Public Access
- Hinch Copper Mine — Public Access
- Aubuchen Shafts — Forest Service
- Bleeding Hill Mine — Public Access
How to Identify Copper
Native copper shows a salmon-red metallic gleam on any fresh or scratched surface, usually hiding under a green or black tarnish crust. It is malleable — a hammer dents it rather than shattering it — and far heavier than the rock around it. Green malachite staining on outcrop is the classic pointer to copper mineralization nearby.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find copper in Missouri?
Missouri has 7 mapped sites where copper have been reported. The best-known are Ruepple Iron Mine, Revelle Prospect, and Sullivan. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many copper sites are mapped in Missouri?
We have 7 documented copper sites in Missouri, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect copper in Missouri?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify copper?
Native copper shows a salmon-red metallic gleam on any fresh or scratched surface, usually hiding under a green or black tarnish crust. It is malleable — a hammer dents it rather than shattering it — and far heavier than the rock around it. Green malachite staining on outcrop is the classic pointer to copper mineralization nearby.
What should I bring to collect copper?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.