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How much copper does malachite contain?

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A periodic table element box for copper shows its symbol Cu, atomic number 29, atomic weight 63.546, electron configuration, and name. Icons indicate copper is a solid, weakly basic transition metal with face-centered cubic crystal structure. A key explains the symbols and color coding. — copper Properties of copper.

Malachite is a basic copper carbonate with the chemical formula ${Cu}_{2} {CO}_{3} (OH)_{2}$ . Based on this chemical composition, it contains approximately 57.5% copper by mass.1

As a widespread mineral, malachite is recognized as a minor ore of copper and is often used as a prospecting guide due to its distinctive bright green color and its presence in the weathered zones of copper deposits.1