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Formula: Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4.4H2O
Phosphate, barium- and manganese-
bearing mineral
Crystal System: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 3.40 measured, calculated 3.43 for the empirical formula and 3.35 for the ideal formula
Hardness: ~3
Streak: pale salmon pink
Colour: dark orange-red
Luminescence: Not fluorescent under UV
Environments
Mengeite is a new mineral, approved in 2018 and to date (June 2023) reported only from the type locality.
Localities
The type locality, the Spring Creek Mine, Wilmington, South Flinders Ranges, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, is
located within the contact zone of quartzite and
slate. Mineralisation occurs in a heavily
brecciated hydrothermal vein.
Primary ore comprises native
copper and cuprite and minor
chalcocite, chalcopyrite,
covellite and pyrite.
Secondary minerals occur in small cavities in
quartz veins and have crystallised from low-temperature hydrothermal solutions.
Mengeite occurs as masses up to 0.8 mm across in a quartz matrix
(CM 60.815-824).
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