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Murdochite

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Mex-Tex Mine, Bingham, Hansonburg District, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA
© 1

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Formula:
PbCu
 
6
O
 
8-x
(Cl,Br)
 
2x
 x<=0.5
System:IsometricColour:Black
Hardness:4
Name:After Professor Joseph Murdoch (1890–1973), American mineralogist, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.


A secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of lead-copper deposits.

Classification of Murdochite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/A.04-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.DB.45

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
B : With Pb, Cu, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:4.6.5.1

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.11.25

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
11 : Oxides of Sn and Pb
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Type Occurrence of Murdochite

Type Locality:Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine (Mammoth-St Anthony Mine; Mammoth Mine; St. Anthony Mine), St. Anthony deposit, Tiger, Mammoth District, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Year of Discovery:1953
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WulfeniteWillemiteQuartzHemimorphiteFluorite
DioptaseDescloiziteCreaseyiteChrysocolla

Physical Properties of Murdochite

Lustre:Adamantine
Colour:Black
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):4
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=519 - 567 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {111}.
Density (measured):5.9 - 6.7 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.06 g/cm3

Crystallography of Murdochite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fm3m {F4/m 3 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 9.21Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 781.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals octahedral and cubo-octahedral.
Twinning:Common on unstated law.
Comment:Cell parameter data: a = 9.210-9.224.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Murdochite

Type:Isotropic
Type:Isotropic
Colour in reflected light:grey with a yellowish brown tint

Chemical Properties of Murdochite

Formula:
PbCu
 
6
O
 
8-x
(Cl,Br)
 
2x
 x<=0.5
Essential elements:Cl, Cu, O, Pb
All elements listed in formula:Br, Cl, Cu, O, Pb

Relationship of Murdochite to other Species

Common Associates:
PlattneriteMalachiteLimoniteIraniteHemimorphite
DioptaseDiaboleiteChrysocollaBromian ChlorargyriteBoleite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.DB.05Diaboleite
Pb
 
2
CuCl
 
2
(OH)
 
4
3.DB.10Pseudoboleite
Pb
 
31
Cu
 
24
Cl
 
62
(OH)
 
48
3.DB.15Boleite
KPb
 
26
Ag
 
9
Cu
 
24
(OH)
 
48
Cl
 
62
3.DB.20Cumengeite
Pb
 
21
Cu
 
20
Cl
 
42
(OH)
 
40
·6H
 
2
O
3.DB.25Bideauxite
Pb
 
2
Ag[(F,OH)
 
2
|Cl
 
3
]
3.DB.30Chloroxiphite
Pb
 
3
CuO
 
2
Cl
 
2
(OH)
 
2
3.DB.35Hematophanite
Pb
 
4
Fe
 
3
O
 
8
(OH,Cl)
3.DB.40Asisite
Pb
 
7
[O
 
4
|SiO
 
4
|Cl
 
2
]
3.DB.40Parkinsonite
(Pb,Mo,[])
 
8
O
 
8
Cl
 
2
3.DB.50Yedlinite
Pb
 
6
(Cl,OH)
 
6
Cr
3+
 
(OH,O)
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.11.1Romarchite
SnO
7.11.2Cassiterite
SnO
 
2
7.11.4Schoenfliesite
Mg[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.5Burtite
Ca[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.6Vismirnovite
Zn[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.7Wickmanite
Mn
2+
 
[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.8Tetrawickmanite
Mn
2+
 
[Sn
4+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.9Jeanbandyite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[Sn
4+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.10Natanite
Fe
2+
 
[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.11Mushistonite
(Cu,Zn,Fe
2+
 
)[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.12Ferronigerite-2N1S
Sn(Fe,Mg)Al
 
6
O
 
11
(OH)
7.11.13Magnesionigerite
7.11.14Argutite
GeO
 
2
7.11.15Brunogeierite
(Ge,Fe)Fe
 
2
O
 
4
7.11.16Stottite
Fe
2+
 
[Ge
4+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.17Carboirite
FeAl
 
2
GeO
 
5
(OH)
 
2
7.11.18Otjisumeite
PbGe
 
4
O
 
9
7.11.19Bartelkeite
PbFe
2+
 
Ge
 
3
O
 
8
7.11.20Massicot
PbO
7.11.21Litharge
PbO
7.11.22Minium
Pb
 
3
O
 
4
7.11.23Plattnerite
PbO
 
2
7.11.24Scrutinyite
alpha-PbO
 
2
7.11.26Macedonite
PbTiO
 
3
7.11.27Cesàrolite
PbH
 
2
Mn
 
3
O
 
8
7.11.28Coronadite
Pb(Mn,Mn)
 
8
O
 
16
7.11.29Quenselite
PbMnO
 
2
(OH)
7.11.30Plumboferrite
Pb
 
2
Fe
3+
11-x
Mn
2+
x
O
 
19-2x
, x = 1/3
7.11.31Magnetoplumbite
(Pb,Mn)(Fe,Mn)
 
12
O
 
19
7.11.32Senaite
Pb(Ti,Fe,Mn)
 
21
O
 
38

Other Names for Murdochite

Other Languages:
German:Murdochit
Russian:Мердочит
Spanish:Murdochita

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 Murdochite

Reference List:Fahey, J.J. (1955), Murdochite, a new copper lead oxide mineral, American Mineralogist: 40: 905-906.

Christ, C.L. and J.R. Clark (1955) The crystal structure of murdochite. American Mineralogist, 40, 907–916.

Burke, E.A.J. and P. Maaskant (1970) New data on murdochite. Neues Jahrb. Mineral., Monatsh., 558–565.

Dubler, E., Vedani, A., and Oswald, H.R. (1983) New structure determination of murdochite, Cu6PbO8. Acta Crystallographica (1983): C39: 1143-1146.

Internet Links for Murdochite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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    Localities for Murdochite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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
     
    • Western Australia
      • Pilbara Region
        • Roebourne Shire
          • Whim Creek
    		P. Doownes, J. Bevan & A. Bevan (1998) - Minerals of the Whim Creek copper mine, Western Australia - Australian Journal of Mineralogy, Vol. 4, N°1, pp 13-29
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
      • Copiapó Province
        • Zapallar district
    		maurizio dini collection
          • Los Azules area
    		M. Dini collection
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Sounion Area
            • Agia Varvara Mines (St Barbara Mines)
    		Lapis, 24, 7/8, (1999)
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Mapimí
        • Mapimí
    		Rocks & Min.: 56:247.
    Thomas P. Moore (2008) Lapis, 33, #7-8, 33-40.
    Thomas P. Moore (2008) Lapis, 33, #7-8, 33-40.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 331.
    No reference listed
    Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 28.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 308; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 308; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
      • Gila Co.
        • Dripping Spring Mts
          • Banner District
            • Hayden area
              • Chilito
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 123, 308; Keith, S.B. (1972), Mineralogy and paragenesis of the 79 mine lead-zinc-copper deposit, Min.Rec.: 3: 247-264;
      • La Paz Co.
        • New Water Mts
          • New Water District
            • Moore Mine group
    		No reference listed
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Big Horn Mts
          • Osborn District
            • Tonopah
              • Belmont Mountain
                • Tiger Wash
    MinRec 19(3):81-87.
      • Pima Co.
        • Waterman Mts
          • Waterman District
            • Silver Hill District
              • Silver Hill
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 123, 308, 331; Bideaux, R.A., et al (1960), Some new occurrences of minerals of Arizona, AZ Geol. Soc. Digest: 3: 53-56.
      • Pinal Co.
        • Mammoth District
          • Tiger
            • St. Anthony deposit
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 308; Fahey, J.J. (1955), Murdochite, a new copper lead oxide mineral, Am.Min.: 40: 905-906; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 28.
        • Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation
          • Silver Reef District
            • Tat Momoli Mts
              • Chuichu area
                • Silver Reef Mountains area
                  • White Horse Pass area
    		Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne
    • California
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Baker
          • Section 2; T13N; R7E (SB)
    		www.mineralsocal.org
        • Barstow
          • Lead Mountain
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    • Nevada
      • Clark Co.
        • Alunite District
    		Richard W. Thomssen
    • New Mexico
      • Hidalgo Co.
        • San Simon District
          • Granite Gap
    		R&M 77:5 p298-305
    R&M 77:5 p298-305
      • Luna Co.
        • Cooks Peak District
          • Old Hadley (Graphic) Mining District
    		Walstrom 2006 New Mexico Mineral Symposium abstracts
      • Sierra Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Socorro Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. ed., 1996
          • Bingham
    		No reference listed
    [MinRecord 30:337]
    Mineral and/or Locality
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