Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Likasite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Dzhezkazgan Mine (Zhezqazghan Mine), Dzhezkazgan (Zhezqazghan), Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast'), Kazakhstan
© Christian Rewitzer

Show Likasite Photos (14)



Formula:
Cu
 
3
(NO
 
3
)(OH)
 
5
 · 2H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Blue
Name:Named for the type locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Likasite.

Classification of Likasite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/A.03-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.ND.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
D : With OH (etc.) and H2O
Dana 7th edition ID:19.2.1.1
Dana 8th edition ID:19.1.5.1

19 : NITRATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Anhydrous Nitrates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2399.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Likasite

Type Locality:Likasi Mine (Panda Mine), Likasi (Jadotville; Jadotstad), Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Year of Discovery:1955

Occurrences of Likasite

Geological Setting:A rare secondary mineral in copper deposits

Physical Properties of Likasite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Blue
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}
Density (measured):2.96 - 2.98 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.97 g/cm3

Crystallography of Likasite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 5.830(1) Å, b = 6.775(1) Å, c = 21.711(5) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.861 : 1 : 3.205
Unit Cell Volume:V 857.55 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals to 1.5mm, rectangular section, tabular.

Optical Data of Likasite

Type:Biaxial
Dispersion:relatively strong
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= Pale greenish blue
Y= purplish blue

Chemical Properties of Likasite

Formula:
Cu
 
3
(NO
 
3
)(OH)
 
5
 · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cu, H, N, O
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, N, O

Relationship of Likasite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.ND.10Mbobomkulite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
((NO
 
3
)
 
2
,SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 3H
 
2
O
5.ND.15Hydrombobomkulite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
((NO
 
3
)
 
2
,SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 13-14H
 
2
O
5.ND.20Sveite
KAl
 
7
(NO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
16
Cl
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O

Other Names for Likasite

Other Languages:
German:Likasit
Russian:Ликазит
Spanish:Likasita

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 Likasite

Reference List:

- +
Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 78 (1955): 84-88. [Abs. in American Mineralogist (1955): 40: 942.]

Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 96 (1973): 143-145.

Effenberger, H. (1986): Cu3(NO3)(OH)5·2H2O: Revision of the chemical formula and redetermination of the crystal structure. Neues Jarbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, 1986, 101-110.

American Mineralogist (1987): 72: 1028.

C. H. Yoder, E. Bushong, X. Liu, V. Weidner, P. McWilliams, K. Martin, J. Lorgunpai, J. Haller and R. W. Schaeffer (2010): The synthesis and solubility of the copper hydroxyl nitrates, gerhardtite, rouaite and likasite. Mineral. Mag. 74, 433-440.

Internet Links for Likasite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Likasite on Google
  • Look for Likasite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Likasite on Webmineral
  • Look for Likasite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Likasite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Likasite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Search for - Likasite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • Likasite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Search for Likasite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • webminerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Likasite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Flinders Ranges
        • South Flinders Ranges
          • Wilmington
    		Australian Journal of Mineralogy. Vol 5. No. 2. 1999. 55-62
    Chile
     
    • Tarapacá Region
      • Iquique Province
        • Collahuasi District
    		Sulphides analysed by geology dep. of company; sulphates, phosphates, analysed by Bob Jenkins (Usa) 2007
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Likasi (Jadotville; Jadotstad)
    		Schoep A, Borchert W, Kohler K (1955) La likasite Cu12(OH)14(NO3)4(PO4)2, nouveau minéral, Bulletin de la Société Française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie 78, 84-88 ; Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
        • Luambo
    France
     
    • Brittany
      • Finistère
    		Handbook of Mineralogy Vol V
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast')
      • Dzhezkazgan (Zhezqazghan)
    		Handbook of Mineralogy; Voloshin, A. V., Pakhomovskiy, Ya. A., Stepanov, V. I., Bulgak, L. V. and Men-shikov, Yu. P. (1988): Gerhardtite, likasite, and spertiniite from the oxidation zone of Dzhezkazgan chalcosite ores; first finds in the USSR. Novye Dannye o Mineralakh SSSR, 35, 40-47. (in Russian)
    Spain
     
    • Asturias
      • Belmonte de Miranda
    		Calvo, M. (2012): Minerales y Minas de España. Vol. V, Carbonatos y Nitratos. Boratos. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid - Fundación Gómez Pardo. 711 pp.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Callington District
          • Calstock
            • Gunnislake
    		Golley, P., and Williams, R. (1995): Cornish Mineral Reference Manual. Endsleigh Publications (Truro), 104 pp.; Weiss, S., Green, D.H., Hooper, J.J., and Elton, N. (2007): Lapis 32 (11), 13-25, 54
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Gila Co.
        • Globe-Miami District
          • Miami-Inspiration District
            • Miami
              • Sleeping Beauty Peak
                • Copper Cities Mine area
    		Handbook of Mineralogy Vol V
    • Michigan
      • Ontonagon Co.
        • Mass City
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (E. W. Heinrich & G. W. Robinson)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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: 15th Mar 2013 15:00:34
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds