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Luswishi River, South East Solwezi, North-Western Province, Zambia

Davidite
Luswishi River, South East Solwezi, North-Western Province, Zambia
The area is localized in NW of Zambia, at W of Ndola, and Mufullra (where there are may copper mines) and at SSE of Solwezi.

During an uranium research, the Italian company SOMIREN (actually part of AGIP), in 1971 found, along Luswishi River, (around the so called “Luswishi Dome”), some radoactive anomalies. These anomalies were most concentrated in Ncinke area and the cause was a mineral in a metamict state, which, once analyzed, was recognized as Davidite.

Other anomalies with similar minerals were also found in Mushingashi river and Lumwana river.

In a further phase of exploration, the mineralization was digged and the mineralization, an eluvial kind of occurrence, was formed of davidite “nests” of 1-2 Kg, concentrated into the first meter of depth. Below this level, the soil was completely sterile.

The Davidite found there (from 1 – 2 up to 10-12 cm !! with rhomboedrals crystals often twinned) was found also in association with Ilmenite, Rutile, Muscovite, Hematite, Pyrite, Thorite, Samarkite, Bastnesite, Apatite, Quartz, Smoky quartz, Amethyst. In Lumwana area were found Davidite crystals of 2-2.5 cm with tabular habitus formed of 2 or more twinned elements.

Ref.:
Picenza B. (1975) - Nuovo gacimento di Davidite nello Zambia - Notizie del Gruppo Min,. Lombardo, Milano, fasc. 1, March 1975,pp. 13-14

Mineral List

'Apatite'
'Bastnäsite'
'Davidite'
Hematite
Ilmenite
Muscovite
Pyrite
Quartz
Quartz
var: Amethyst

var: Smoky Quartz
Rutile
Samarskite-(Y)
Thorite


13 entries listed. 8 valid minerals.

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Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 19th Jun 2011 15:39:21
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