Where to Find Malachite in Missouri: 19 Mapped Sites
Missouri has 19 documented sites where malachite have been reported, and the best-known are Fredericktown, Cole County, and Steelville. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 18 of the 19 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Malachite Map: Missouri
All 19 malachite sites in Missouri. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Malachite Are Found in Missouri
Malachite forms wherever copper ore oxidizes near the surface, so old copper-mine dumps and green-stained outcrops are the reliable places. It often coats fracture faces in the host rock.
The richest reported sites in Missouri: Fredericktown, Cole County, Steelville, Eldon & Etterville, St. Francois County.
Of the 19 sites, 18 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Malachite Sites in Missouri
- Fredericktown — Public Access
- Cole County — Public Access
- Steelville — Public Access
- Eldon & Etterville — Public Access
- St. Francois County — Public Access
- Bixby — Public Access
- Copper Hill Mine — Public Access
- Moselle Iron Mines — Public Access
- Old Mines — Public Access
- Revelle Prospect — Forest Service
- St. Francisville — Public Access
- Sullivan — Public Access
- Troy — Public Access
- Cuthbertson Mountain — Public Access
- Fabius River — Public Access
- Eminence — Public Access
- Hinch Copper Mine — Public Access
- Newark — Public Access
- Scotia — Public Access
How to Identify Malachite
Malachite is unmistakably green — from bright emerald crusts to dark banded masses — with a silky-to-dull luster and a pale green streak. It is soft (3.5–4, scratches with a knife easily) and fizzes gently in vinegar. Banded, rounded (botryoidal) surfaces are classic. Blue azurite alongside it is a bonus find from the same chemistry.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find malachite in Missouri?
Missouri has 19 mapped sites where malachite have been reported. The best-known are Fredericktown, Cole County, and Steelville. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many malachite sites are mapped in Missouri?
We have 19 documented malachite sites in Missouri, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect malachite 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 malachite?
Malachite is unmistakably green — from bright emerald crusts to dark banded masses — with a silky-to-dull luster and a pale green streak. It is soft (3.5–4, scratches with a knife easily) and fizzes gently in vinegar. Banded, rounded (botryoidal) surfaces are classic. Blue azurite alongside it is a bonus find from the same chemistry.
What should I bring to collect malachite?
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.