Beaverite-(Cu)

beaverite-(Cu)

tsumcorite

osarizawaite

plumbojarosite

Images

Formula: Pb(Fe3+2Cu)(SO4)2(OH)6
Anhydrous sulphate containing hydroxyl, alunite group, forms a series with plumbojarosite
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 4.36 measure, 4.31 calculated
Hardness: 3½ to 4½
Streak: Light yellow
Colour: Yellow
Solubility: Insoluble in water. Soluble in hydrochloric acid (Mindat).
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Beaverite-(Cu) is an uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidised zone of lead-copper deposits, associated with olivenite, conichalcite, duftite, beudantite, osarizawaite, hidalgoite, corkite, carminite, bindheimite, plumbojarosite, bayldonite, brochantite, chrysocolla and galena (HOM).

Localities

At Mineral Hill, Tallingaboolba, Condobolin, Kennedy County, New South Wales, Australia, beaverite-(Cu) has been identified as a minor component associated with osarizawaite in encrustations on quartz AJM 11.2.108).
Beaverite-(Cu) from Mineral Hill - Image

At the Northampton lead-copper field, Northampton Shire, Western Australia, beaverite-(Cu) occurs as crusts coating specimens of sphalerite - chalcopyrite - quartz or galena, and country rock gneiss (AJM 18.40).

At the Shangri La Mine, Kununurra, Wyndham-East Kimberley Shire, Western Australia, beaverite-(Cu) coats surfaces and boxwork cavities in quartz. It is associated with cerussite, and also galena and iron oxides (AJM 16.1.19).

At Otto mountain, near Baker, California, USA, beaverite-(Cu) is uncommon as microcrystalline crusts on quartz (R&M 86.2.132)>

The type locality is the Horn Silver mine, Frisco, San Francisco Mountains, Beaver county, Utah, USA.
Beaverite-(Cu) from the Horn Silver Mine - Image

Back to Minerals