Boleite, the beautiful blue mineral with the formula KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62, is named for the Type Locality area: Boleo District, Santa Rosalía, Mulegé Municipality, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
The Boleo district, centred around the town of Santa Rosalía in Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a historically significant copper mining area with a unique cultural and architectural heritage.
The name "Boleo" is most directly linked to the French mining company that developed the area: Compagnie du Boléo. The company is named after the characteristic ball-like or nodular form ("boleos") of the copper ore found there.
Santa Rosalía was essentially built by and for the Compagnie du Boléo. It has a distinct European, particularly French, architectural style, unlike most Mexican towns. This includes wooden houses with verandas, many prefabricated in Europe and shipped over. The company built a port, railway, smelter, and all necessary infrastructure for a large-scale mining operation.
Below: Boleite, Amelia Mine, Mexico. Width of view 15mm.
Thanks Steve.