Malachite is a mineral that primarily consists of copper, but it is not made up of copper alone. Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with the chemical formula Cu2CO3(OH)2. This means that it contains a combination of copper, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen elements.
The distinct green color of malachite is due to its copper content, and it is often found in association with other minerals like azurite, which also contains copper. Malachite forms through a process involving the weathering of copper ores and the subsequent interaction of copper-rich solutions with limestone or other carbonate rocks.
So, while copper is a major component of malachite, the mineral's composition includes other elements as well, giving it its unique properties and appearance.