galena - teaching student specimens of the primary ore of lead - Mibladen Mining District, Morocco - Unit of 5 specimens

Galena - PbS         

Galena is a very common metallic sulfide. It often occurs in cubic crystals and has good cubic cleavage. It is practically the only source of lead, which is used in huge amounts in storage batteries and in shielding from radioactivity. Galena is the Latin name for lead ore. 

Galena is easily identified by students by its density, metallic luster and its cubic cleavage. These larger student specimens all have some attached matrix. 

These specimens come from a stratiform deposit of galena and barite hosted in lower Jurassic limestone and dolomite. This was mined by the French companies that worked the lead-zinc vein deposit at the nearby Aouli Mine from 1923-1960. Actively mined until 1975, the old workings  are explored by local residents who occasionally resume small operations.

The complete locality description for the old galena/barite/fluorite mining district at Mibladen, Morocco:  Mibladen mining district, Aït Oufella Caïdat, Midelt Cercle, Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco. 

These specimens all show some cleavage, but are irregular. For examples with good cubic cleavage, see the galena from the Ahouli Mine.

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