Lueshite, Vermiculite

This specimen is a sharp, pseudocubic single crystal of lueshite from its type locality. Lueshite, a rare sodium niobate species, is known for its orthorhombic structure but often exhibits a cubic-like form. This well-crystallized piece features good metallic luster, and a characteristic silvery-grey surface. These specimens emerged sporadically, primarily during the 1990s, making well-formed examples increasingly difficult to find. As well, you will be very hard pressed to find a crystal in matrix.

The Lueshe Mine was established in the 1980s but ceased operations in 1996 due to local unrest. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government sought to restart operations multiple times, eventually expropriating the mine in 1999. Over the years, the mine changed ownership numerous times, and as of February 2022, Hong Kong-based Ximei Resources was in discussions to take over operations. The site has been the focus of geopolitical tensions, with reports in December 2022 linking regional conflicts to control over the area’s valuable pyrochlore deposits at the Somikivu Mine.

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