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Formula: CuGaS2
Sulphide, chalcopyrite group,
gallium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 4.2 measured, 4.35 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 3½
Streak: Greyish black
Colour: Grey
Common impurities: Pb,Zn,Fe,Ge
Environments
Gallite occurs in base-metal vein deposits with relatively high gallium content. Associated minerals include
renierite, germanite,
bornite, chalcocite,
digenite, pyrite,
sphalerite, galena and
tetrahedrite
(HOM).
Localities
There are two co-type localities, the Kipushi mine, Kipushi, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo, and the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb,
Oshikoto Region, Namibia. The gallite occurs in renierite and
germanite and as exsolution lamellae of
sphalerite; when the latter is replaced by
germanite, galena or
tennantite these lamellae of gallite may remain
(AM 44.906-910).
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