Musée de minéralogie

About the museum

The mineralogy museum brings together specimens from several collections of the Université libre de Bruxelles. The largest comes from the mining engineering section of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The university’s engineering school has existed since 1873, and the mining section was created in 1890, at the same time as the legal title of civil mining engineer.

Among the professors who shaped the collection were Victor Brien, active from 1910 to 1941, who studied the ores of the Congo in particular, and Ivan de Magnée, who developed modern metallogeny from 1950 onwards and greatly expanded the collection. The oldest specimen with a legible label joined the collection in 1906.

The collection consists mainly of ores, mineralised rocks and host rocks rather than showpiece crystals. It now comprises more than 5,300 specimens from over 1,300 sites in 98 countries and about 680 mineral species. Many come from old or abandoned deposits, and more than 350 mineral concentrates complete the set. It is used to train students and is also presented online as a virtual mineralogy museum.

Highlights

• More than 5,300 specimens from 98 countries
• About 680 mineral species
• Ores and rocks from historic or abandoned deposits
• More than 350 mineral concentrates
• Virtual museum online (musemin.ulb.be)

Operated by

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The visit is free of charge.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Solbosch campus, building D, 5th floor.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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