Hagstromite, Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4, a new lead–tellurium oxysalt mineral from Otto Mountain, California, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-523
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Robert M. Housley ◽  
Stuart J. Mills ◽  
George R. Rossman ◽  
Joe Marty

AbstractHagstromite, Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4, (IMA2019-093) is a new tellurate mineral from Otto Mountain near Baker, California, USA. It occurs on quartz in association with cerussite, fuettererite and thorneite. It is a secondary oxidation zone mineral and is presumed to have formed by oxidation of earlier formed tellurides, chalcopyrite and galena. Hagstromite occurs as light yellow–green blades, up to ~100 μm long. Crystals are transparent with adamantine to silky lustre. The mineral is brittle with two cleavages providing splintery fracture; the Mohs hardness is probably between 2 and 3. The calculated density is 7.062 g cm–3. Hagstromite is optically biaxial (+), with calculated indices of refraction for α = 2.045, β = 2.066 and γ = 2.102; 2Vmeas = 76(1)°; and optical orientation X = b, Y = a and Z = c. The Raman spectrum of hagstromite exhibits similarities with those of agaite and thorneite and confirms the presence of CO32–. The electron microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Pb8.07Cu2+0.98Te6+1.96C1.17Cl3.83O15.34. Hagstromite is orthorhombic, space group Ibam, with a = 23.688(17), b = 9.026(8), c = 10.461(8) Å, V = 2237(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure of hagstromite (R1 = 0.0659 for 284 I > 2σI reflections) contains a novel Cu2+Te6+2O12 chain assembled of corner-sharing Cu2+O4 squares and Te6+O6 octahedra. The O atoms in the chains form bonds with Pb2+ cations, which in turn bond to Cl– and CO32– anions, thereby creating a framework structure.

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-394
Author(s):  
Leonid A. Pautov ◽  
Mirak A. Mirakov ◽  
Fernando Cámara ◽  
Elena Sokolova ◽  
Frank C. Hawthorne ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Badakhshanite-(Y), ideally Y2Mn4Al(Si2B7BeO24), is a tetrahedral sheet-structure mineral found in the Dorozhny (Road) miarolitic granitic pegmatite within the Kukurt pegmatite field 45 km E of Murghab, Eastern Pamir, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, Tajikistan. Badakhshanite-(Y) occurs in medium- to coarse-grained non-graphic albite-microcline-quartz pegmatites in close association with smoky quartz, Sc-bearing spessartine, Sc-bearing tusionite, and schorl. It often grows together with Sc-bearing tusionite and occurs as single columnar crystals ranging from 50 to 400 μm in length, as inclusions in spessartine and tourmaline, and rarely as crystals in blebs along boundaries between garnet, tourmaline, and quartz. Badakhshanite-(Y) is yellow brown and has a white streak and a vitreous luster. It is brittle, with a conchoidal fracture, Mohs hardness of 6.5–7, and calculated density of 4.41 g/cm. In thin section it is transparent and pale yellow, non-pleochroic, biaxial (–), with α = 1.805(2), βcalc = 1.827, γ = 1.835(3) (λ = 590 nm); 2V (meas.) = –60(10)°. Dispersion is weak, r > v. Extinction is straight, elongation is negative. FTIR spectra show the absence of (OH) and H2O groups. Chemical analysis by electron microprobe using WDS (6 points), SIMS, and ICP-OES for B and Be gave SiO2 11.96, ThO2 0.12, Sm2O3 0.17, Gd2O3 0.30, Tb2O3 0.10, Dy2O3 0.73, Ho2O3 0.19, Er2O3 1.34, Tm2O3 0.54, Yb2O3 8.82, Lu2O3 2.32, Y2O3 16.60, Sc2O3 1.57, Al2O3 3.06, B2O3 22.06, FeO 0.94, MnO 23.33, CaO 0.58, BeO 2.84, total 97.57 wt.%.The empirical formula based on 24 O apfu is (Y1.21REE0.78Th0.01)Σ2(Mn3.47Y0.34Ca0.11Fe2+0.08)Σ4(Al0.63Sc0.24Fe2+0.06□0.07)Σ1[(Si2.10B6.69Be1.20)Σ9.99O24], where REE = (Yb0.47Lu0.12Dy0.04Er0.07Tm0.03 Ho0.01Gd0.02Sm0.01Tb0.01)Σ0.78. Badakhshanite-(Y) is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a 12.852(1), b 4.5848(5), c 12.8539(8) Å, V 757.38(7) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 4.31% based on 1431 unique [F > 4σF] reflections. In the crystal structure of badakhshanite-(Y), a layer of tetrahedra parallel to (010) is composed of four different tetrahedrally coordinated sites: Si, B(1), B(2), and T (<Si–O> = 1.623 Å, <B(1)–O> = 1.485 Å, <B(2)–O> = 1.479 Å, <T–O> = 1.557 Å), which form four-, five-, and eight-membered rings, having the composition (Si2B7BeO24). Between the sheets of tetrahedra, there are three cation sites: M(1), M(2), and M(3) (<M(1)–O> = 2.346 Å, <M(2)–O> = 2.356 Å, <M(3)–O> = 2.016 Å) occupied by Y(REE), Mn2+(Y, Ca, Fe2+), and Al(Sc), respectively. The M(1,2) sites ideally give Y2Mn4apfu; the M(3) site ideally gives Al apfu. Badakhshanite-(Y) is an Al- and Be-analogue of perettiite-(Y).


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-542
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Robert M. Housley ◽  
George R. Rossman

ABSTRACT Northstarite, Pb6(Te4+O3)5(S2O3), is a new mineral from the North Star mine, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, USA. It is an oxidation-zone mineral occuring in a vug in massive quartz-baryte-enargite-pyrite in association with anglesite, azurite, chrysocolla, fluorapatite, plumbogummite, tellurite, zincospiroffite, and the new mineral adanite. Crystals are beige short prisms with pyramidal terminations, up to about 1 mm in length. The mineral is transparent to translucent with adamantine luster, white streak, Mohs hardness 2, brittle tenacity, irregular fracture, and no cleavage. The calculated density is 6.888 g/cm3. Northstarite is uniaxial (–) and nonpleochroic. The Raman spectrum is consistent with the presence of tellurite and thiosulfate groups and the absence of OH and H2O. Electron-microprobe analyses gave the empirical formula Pb5.80Sb3+0.05Te4+5.04S6+1.02S2–1.02O18. The mineral is hexagonal, space group P63, with a = 10.2495(5), c = 11.6677(8) Å, V = 1061.50(13) Å3, and Z = 2. The five strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 3.098(100)(113), 2.957(88)(300), 2.140(42)(223), 1.7335(41)(413), and 1.6256(31)(306). The structure (R1 = 0.033 for 1476 I > 2σI reflections) is a framework constructed of short (strong) Pb–O and Te–O bonds with channels along the 63 axes. The thiosulfate groups at the centers of the channels are only weakly bonded to the framework.


2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Kampf ◽  
S. J. Mills ◽  
F. Hatert ◽  
B. P. Nash ◽  
M. Dini ◽  
...  

AbstractThe new mineral canutite (IMA2013-070), NaMn3[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2, was found at two different locations at the Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with anhydrite, halite, lavendulan, magnesiokoritnigite, pyrite, quartz and scorodite. Canutite is reddish brown in colour. It forms as prisms elongated on [20] and exhibiting the forms {010}, {100}, {10}, {201} and {102}, or as tablets flattened on {102} and exhibiting the forms {102} and {110}. Crystals are transparent with a vitreous lustre. The mineral has a pale tan streak, Mohs hardness of 2½, brittle tenacity, splintery fracture and two perfect cleavages, on {010} and {101}. The calculated density is 4.112 g cm−3. Optically, canutite is biaxial (+) with α = 1.712(3), β = 1.725(3) and γ = 1.756(3) (measured in white light). The measured 2V is 65.6(4)°, the dispersion is r < v (slight), the optical orientation is Z = b; X ^ a = 18° in obtuse β and pleochroism is imperceptible. The mineral is slowly soluble in cold, dilute HCl. The empirical formula (for tabular crystals from near the mineshaft), determined from electron - microprobe analyses, is (Na1.05Mn2.64Mg0.34Cu0.14Co0.03)∑4.20As3O12H1.62. Canutite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 12.3282(4), b = 12.6039(5), c = 6.8814(5) Å, β = 113.480(8)°, V = 980.72(10) Å3 and Z = 4. The eight strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.33(34)(020), 4.12(26)(21), 3.608(29)(310,31), 3.296(57)(12), 3.150(28)(002,131), 2.819(42)(400,041,330), 2.740(100)(240,02,112) and 1.5364(31)(multiple). The structure, refined to R1 = 2.33% for 1089 Fo > 4σF reflections, shows canutite to be isostructural with protonated members of the alluaudite group.


2012 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 1119-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Cooper ◽  
Y. A. Abdu ◽  
N. A. Ball ◽  
F. C. Hawthorne ◽  
M. E. Back ◽  
...  

AbstractIanbruceite, ideally [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)](H2O)2, is a new supergene mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia. It occurs as thin platy crystals up to 80 μm long and a few μm thick, which form flattened aggregates up to 0.10 mm across, and ellipsoidal aggregates up to 0.5 mm across. It is associated with coarse white leiteite, dark blue köttigite, minor legrandite and adamite. Ianbruceite is sky blue to very pale blue with a white streak and a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. It has perfect cleavage parallel to (100), is flexible, and deforms plastically. The Mohs hardness is 1 and the calculated density is 3.197 g cm-3. The refractive indices are α = 1.601, β = 1.660, γ = 1.662, all ±0.002; 2Vobs = 18(2)°, 2Vcalc = 20°, and the dispersion is r < v, weak. Ianbruceite is monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 11.793(2), b = 9.1138(14), c = 6.8265(10) Å, β = 103.859(9)°, V = 712.3(3) Å3, Z = 4, a:b:c = 1.2940:1:0.7490. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d(Å), I, (hkl)] are as follows: 11.29, 100, (100); 2.922, 17, (130); 3.143, 15, (202); 3.744, 11, (300); 2.655, 9, (230); 1.598, 8, (152); 2.252, 7, (222). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave As2O5 36.27, As2O3 1.26, Al2O3 0.37, ZnO 49.72, MnO 0.32, FeO 0.71, K2O 0.25, H2Ocalc 19.89, sum 108.79 wt.%; the very high oxide sum is due to the fact that the calculated H2O content is determined from crystal-structure analysis, but H2O is lost under vacuum in the electron microprobe.The crystal structure of ianbruceite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 8.6%. The As is tetrahedrally coordinated by four O anions with a mean As O distance of 1.687 Å. Zigzag [[5]Zn[6]Znϕ7] chains extend in the c direction and are linked in the b direction by sharing corners with (AsO4) tetrahedra to form slabs with a composition [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)]. The space between these slabs is filled with disordered (H2O) groups and minor lone-pair stereoactive As3+. The ideal formula derived from chemical analysis and crystal-structure solution and refinement is [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)](H2O)2.


2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Mark A. Cooper ◽  
John M. Hughes ◽  
Barbara P. Nash ◽  
Frank C. Hawthorne ◽  
...  

Abstract Caseyite, [(V5+O2)Al10–x(OH)20–2x(H2O)18–2x]2[H2V4+V95+O28][V105+O28]2[(Na,K,Ca)2–y(SO4)2–z⋅(60+8x+y+4z) H2O], where x = 0–2.5, y = 0–2, z = 0–2, is a new mineral (IMA 2019-002) occurring in low-temperature, post-mining, secondary mineral assemblages at the Burro, Packrat, and West Sunday mines in the Uravan Mineral Belt of Colorado, U.S.A. Crystals of caseyite are yellow tapering needles or blades, with a pale yellow streak, vitreous luster, brittle tenacity, curved fracture, no cleavage, Mohs hardness between 2 and 3, and 2.151 g/cm3 calculated density. Caseyite is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.659(3), β = 1.670(3), γ = 1.720(3) (white light), 2V = 52.6(5)°, has strong r &lt; ν dispersion, optical orientation Z ≈ a (elongation of needles), and no pleochroism. Electron-probe microanalysis provided the empirical formula [(V5+O2)Al8.94(OH)17.88(H2O)15.88]2[H2V4+V95+O28][V105+O28]2[(Na0.82Ca0.35K0.27)Σ1.44 (SO4)1.33⋅70.24H2O] (+0.94 H). Caseyite is monoclinic, P21/n, a = 14.123(8), b = 30.998(15), c = 21.949(11) Å, β = 97.961(8)°, V = 9516(9) Å3, and Z = 2. The crystal structure (R1 = 0.0654 for 9162 Io&gt;2σI reflections) contains both normal [V10O28]6– and doubly protonated mixed-valence [H2V14+V95+O28]5– decavanadate isopolyanions, and a novel vanadoaluminate heteropolycation (“flat-Al10V☐2”), ideally [(V5+O2)Al10(OH)20(H2O)18]11+, closely related to the technologically important flat-Al13 polyoxocation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-419
Author(s):  
Ian E. Grey ◽  
Rupert Hochleitner ◽  
Christian Rewitzer ◽  
Alan Riboldi-Tunnicliffe ◽  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
...  

AbstractThe general structural formula for the walentaite group is [((A1yA1’1–y), A2)(H2O)n][Bx(As2)2–x(As3)M1(M2)2(TO4)2(O,OH)7], based on heteropolyhedral layers of configuration [M1(M2)2(TO4)2(O,OH)6], with surface-coordinated species at the B, As2 and As3 sites, and with interlayer hydrated cation groups centred at the A sites. The group is divided into walentaite and halilsarpite subgroups based on T = P5+ and As5+, respectively. Alcantarillaite, (IMA2019-072), [Fe3+0.5□0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7], is a new member of the walentaite group from the Alcantarilla wolframite mine, Belalcázar, Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain. It occurs most commonly as lemon-yellow fillings together with massive scorodite in fissures and cracks in quartz adjacent to löllingite. It is also found as tiny yellow rosettes lining vugs and as spheroids of ultrathin blades. It is associated with scorodite, pharmacosiderite, ferberite and schneiderhöhnite. Optically it is biaxial (–), with α = 1.703(calc), β = 1.800(5), γ = 1.850(5) and 2V = 68(1)° (white light). Dispersion is r > v, moderate. The optical orientation is X = a, Y = c and Z = b. The calculated density is 3.06 g cm–3. Electron microprobe analyses together with crystal structure refinement results gives the empirical formula [Fe3+0.52□0.48(H2O)4][(Ca0.44K0.11Na0.05Fe2+0.24□0.42)As3+1.83][Fe3+2.54Al0.03W6+0.43)((As0.65P0.35)O4)2O5.86(OH)1.14]. Alcantarillaite is orthorhombic, with an average structure described in Imma, and with a = 24.038(8) Å, b = 7.444(3) Å, c = 10.387(3) Å, V = 1858.6(11) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure (wRobs = 0.078 for 651 reflections to a resolution of 0.91 Å) differs most significantly from other walentaite-group members in having an interlayer A2 site occupied. Square-pyramidal polyhedra centred at the A2 sites form edge-shared dimers, (Fe3+)2O4(H2O)4. The dimers share vertices with TO4 anions in the layers on either side to form 8-sided channels along [010] occupied by H2O molecules.


2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-484
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Stuart J. Mills ◽  
Barbara Nash ◽  
Maurizio Dini ◽  
Arturo A. Molina Donoso

AbstractCuyaite (IMA2019-126), Ca2Mn3+As3+14O24Cl, is a new arsenite mineral from near Cuya in the Camarones Valley, Arica Province, Chile. It is associated with anhydrite, native arsenic, arsenolite, calcite, claudetite, ferrinatrite, gajardoite-3R, leiteite, magnesiocopiapite, phosphosiderite, pyrite, realgar and talmessite and formed from the oxidation of As-bearing primary phases and alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions. Cuyaite occurs as pale brown thin needles (elongated on [010]), typically in divergent sprays and subparallel intergrowths. The streak is white. Crystals are transparent with adamantine lustre; subparallel intergrowths exhibit silky lustre. The mineral has Mohs hardness of 2½, is brittle, exhibits no cleavage and has irregular fracture. The calculated density is 4.140 g cm–3. Cuyaite is optically biaxial (–), with α = 1.87(1), β = 1.956(calc) and γ = 1.98(1), determined in white light; 2Vmeas = 60(1)°; and orientation: X = b and Y ^ a = 53° in obtuse β. Electron microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Ca2.03Mn3+0.95(As3+13.66Sb3+0.65)Σ14.31O24Cl0.88. The six strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 4.73(45)(111, $\bar{1}$12), 3.162(100)($\bar{3}$14), 3.035(28)(213), 3.004(37)(204), 2.931(90)($\bar{2}$15, 312) and 2.779(28)(020). Cuyaite is monoclinic, Pn, a = 14.7231(6), b = 5.58709(19), c = 17.4185(12) Å, β = 112.451(8)°, V = 1324.23(14) Å3 and Z = 2. In the crystal structure of cuyaite (R1 = 0.0369 for 2095 I > 2σI reflections), AsO3 pyramids share O corners to form a ‘loose’ 3D framework; Jahn–Teller distorted Mn3+O6 octahedra and CaO8 polyhedra link by edges and corners to form columns; the columns also link by edge- and corner-sharing to the AsO3 pyramids in the framework; Cl occupies channels along [010] in the framework. The Raman spectrum is consistent with the presence of multiple As3+O3 groups.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Jakub Plášil ◽  
Barbara P. Nash ◽  
Joe Marty

ABSTRACTThe new mineral greenlizardite (IMA2017-001), (NH4)Na(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2·4H2O, was found in the Green Lizard mine, Red Canyon, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase. It is associated with ammoniozippeite, boussingaultite and dickite. It forms as light green-yellow blades up to ~0.3 mm long. The mineral is vitreous and transparent with a white streak. It fluoresces greenish blue in 405 nm light. Mohs hardness is ~2. Crystals are brittle with irregular fracture and two cleavages: perfect {001} and good {2$\bar 1$0}. Greenlizardite is easily soluble in room-temperature H2O. The calculated density is 3.469 g cm–3. Optically, it is biaxial (+) with α = 1.559(1), β = 1.582(1) and γ = 1.608(1) (measured in white light). The measured 2V is 88(1)°; the calculated 2V is 87.8°. Dispersion is moderate, r < v. Pleochroism is X = very pale yellow green, Y = pale yellow green and Z = light yellow green; X < Y < Z. The optical orientation is X ≈ c, Y ≈ a and Z ≈ b*. The Raman spectrum exhibits bands attributable to both sulfate and uranyl groups. Electron probe microanalyses (with H2O based on the crystal structure) yielded (NH4)0.98Na1.00U1.96S2.04O18.00H10.02. Greenlizardite is triclinic, P$\bar 1$, a = 6.83617(17), b = 9.5127(3), c = 13.8979(10) Å, α = 98.636(7), β = 93.713(7), γ = 110.102(8)°, V = 832.49(8) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure (R1 = 2.39% for 2542 I > 2σI) contains edge-sharing dimers of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids. The dimers link by sharing corners with SO4 groups to form a [(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2]2– sheet based on the phosphuranylite anion topology. Zig-zag edge-sharing chains of NaO6 octahedra link adjacent [(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2]2– sheets, forming thick slabs. NH4 bonds to O atoms in adjacent slabs linking them together. H2O groups occupy channels in the slabs and space between the slabs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Elliott ◽  
G. Giester ◽  
R. Rowe ◽  
A. Pring

AbstractPutnisite, SrCa4Cr83+ (CO7)8SO4(OH)16·25H2O, is a new mineral from the Polar Bear peninsula, Southern Lake Cowan, Western Australia, Australia. The mineral forms isolated pseudocubic crystals up to 0.5 mm in size in a matrix composed of quartz and a near amorphous Cr silicate. Putnisite is translucent, with a pink streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle and shows one excellent and two good cleavages parallel to {100}, {010} and {001}. The fracture is uneven and the Mohs hardness 1½−2. The measured density is 2.20(3) g/cm3 and the calculated density based on the empirical formula is 2.23 g/cm3. Optically, putnisite is biaxial negative, with α = 1.552(3), β = 1.583(3) and γ = 1.599(3) (measured in white light). The optical orientation is uncertain and pleochroism is distinct: X pale bluish grey, Y pale purple, Z pale purple. Putnisite is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, with a = 15.351(3), b = 20.421(4) Å, c = 18.270(4) Å, V = 5727(2) Å3 (single-crystal data), and Z = 4. The strongest five lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d(Å)(I)(hkl)]: 13.577 (100) (011), 7.659 (80) (200), 6.667 (43) (211), 5.084 (19) (222, 230), 3.689 (16) (411). Electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) gave (wt.%): Na2O 0.17, MgO 0.08, CaO 10.81, SrO 5.72, BaO 0.12, CuO 0.29, Cr2O3 31.13, SO3 3.95, SiO2 0.08, Cl− 0.28, CO2calc 17.94, H2Ocalc 30.30, O=Cl−0.06, total 100.81. The empirical formula, based on O + Cl = 69, is: Cr8.023+Ca3.78Sr1.08Na0.11Cu0.072+Mg0.04Ba0.02[(SO4)0.96(SiO4)0.03]0.99 (CO3)7.98(OH)16.19Cl0.15·24.84H2O. The crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (MoKα, CCD area detector and refined to R1 = 5.84% for 3181 reflections with F0 > 4σF. Cr(OH)4O2 octahedra link by edge-sharing to form an eight-membered ring. A 10-coordinated Sr2+ cation lies at the centre of each ring. The rings are decorated by CO3 triangles, each of which links by corner-sharing to two Cr(OH)4O2 octahedra. Rings are linked by Ca(H2O)4O4 polyhedra to form a sheet parallel to (100). Adjacent sheets are joined along [100] by corner-sharing SO4 tetrahedra. H2O molecules occupy channels that run along [100] and interstices between slabs. Moderate to weak hydrogen bonding provides additional linkage between slabs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 739-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Cabral ◽  
R. Skála ◽  
A. Vymazalová ◽  
A. Kallistová ◽  
B. Lehmann ◽  
...  

AbstractKitagohaite, ideally Pt7Cu, is a new mineral from the Lubero region of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mineral occurs as alluvial grains that were recovered together with other Pt-rich intermetallic compounds and Au. Kitagohaite is opaque, greyish white and malleable and has a metallic lustre and a grey streak. In reflected light, kitagohaite is white and isotropic. The crystal structure of kitagohaite is cubic, space group Fmm, of the Ca7Ge type, with a = 7.7891(3) Å, V = 472.57(5) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest diffraction lines [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 2.246 (100)(222), 1.948(8)(004), 1.377 (77)(044), 1.174(27)(622), 1.123 (31)(444) and 0.893 (13)(662). The Vickers hardness is 217 kg mm−2 (VHN100), which is equivalent to a Mohs hardness of 3½ and the calculated density is 19.958(2) g cm−3. Electron-microprobe analyses gave a mean value (n = 13) of 95.49 wt.% Pt and 4.78 wt.%Cu, which corresponds to Pt6.93Cu1.07 on the basis of eight atoms. The new mineral is named for the Kitagoha river, in the Lubero region.


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