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Kolwezite

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Big Photo

Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Steve Rust

Show Kolwezite Photos (26)



Formula:
(Cu,Co)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
System:TriclinicHardness:4


Probably Rosasite Group.

Classification of Kolwezite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/C.01-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.BA.10

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
A : With Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Mn
Dana 8th edition ID:16a.3.1.7

16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.14.2

11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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Type Occurrence of Kolwezite

Type Locality:Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Year of Discovery:1980

Physical Properties of Kolwezite

Hardness (Mohs):4

Crystallography of Kolwezite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 9.5Å, b = 12.15Å, c = 3.18Å
α = 93.32°, β = 90.74°, γ = 91.47°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.782 : 1 : 0.262
Unit Cell Volume:V 366.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Kolwezite

Type:Biaxial
RI values: nα = 1.688 nγ = 1.900
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.212

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v weak

Chemical Properties of Kolwezite

Formula:
(Cu,Co)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
Essential elements:C, Cu, H, O
All elements listed in formula:C, Co, Cu, H, O

Relationship of Kolwezite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.BA.05Azurite
Cu
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Georgeite
Cu
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
5.BA.10Glaukosphaerite
(Cu,Ni)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Malachite
Cu
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Mcguinnessite
(Mg,Cu)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Nullaginite
Ni
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Pokrovskite
Mg
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Rosasite
(Cu,Zn)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Zincrosasite
(Zn,Cu)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.10Chukanovite
Fe
2+
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
5.BA.15Aurichalcite
(Zn,Cu)
 
5
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
5.BA.15Hydrozincite
Zn
 
5
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
5.BA.20Holdawayite
Mn
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
7
(Cl,OH)
5.BA.25Defernite
Ca
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
2-x
(SiO
 
4
)
 
x
(OH)
 
7
(Cl,OH)
 
1-2x
 (x=0.5)
5.BA.25UM1977-03-COSiO:CaClH
Ca
 
10
(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
7
(Cl,OH)
 
2
5.BA.30Loseyite
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
)
 
7
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
10
5.BA.30Sclarite
(Zn,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
4
Zn
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
10
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.14.1Spherocobaltite
CoCO
 
3
11.14.3Nullaginite
Ni
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
11.14.4Hellyerite
NiCO
 
3
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.14.5Otwayite
Ni
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
11.14.6Zaratite
Ni
 
3
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
11.14.7Kambaldaite
NaNi
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.14.8Glaukosphaerite
(Cu,Ni)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
11.14.9Gaspéite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)CO
 
3
11.14.10Reevesite
Ni
 
6
Fe
3+
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
11.14.11Comblainite
Ni
 
6
Co
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
11.14.12Szymańskiite
Hg
 
16
(Ni,Mg)
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
12
(OH)
 
12
 · 11H
 
2
O

Other Names for Kolwezite

Synonyms:
IMA1979-017Koluezite
Other Languages:
German:Koluezit
Kolwezit
Spanish:Koluezita
Kolwezita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Kolwezite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist (1980): 65: 1067.

Bulletin de Mineralogie (1980): 103: 179-184.

Perchiazzi, N. & Merlino, S. (2006): The malachite-rosasite group: crystal structures of glaukosphaerite and pokrovskite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 18, 787-792. [with comments on probable structure of kolwezite]

Internet Links for Kolwezite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    • Localities for Kolwezite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
    		Paul De Bondt
        • Kolwezi
          • Kamoto
    		Herve Osana photo
    Gauthier, G. & Deliens, M. (1999): Cobalt minerals of the Katanga Crescent, Congo. Mineralogical Record 30 (4): 255-273
    No reference listed
    [MinRec 22:13-20,28]
    Gauthier, G. & Deliens, M. (1999): Cobalt minerals of the Katanga Crescent, Congo. Mineralogical Record 30 (4): 255-273
    Bull.Minéral.(1980) 103, 179-184
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Hinsdale Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997)
    Mineral and/or Locality
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