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Formula: Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2.8H2O
Hydrated uranyl arsenate,
meta-autunite group,
barium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 4.04 measured, 4.0 calculated
Hardness: 2½
Streak: Yellowish white
Colour: Green, yellow
Luminescence: Fluoresces bright green to greenish yellow under short wave and long wave UV
Very strongly RADIOACTIVE
Environments
Volcanic igneous environments
Hydrothermal environments
Metaheinrichite is a rare secondary mineral derived by
the weathering of primary
uranium minerals. Associated minerals include
heinrichite, zeunerite,
nováčekite, erythrite,
arseniosiderite, and
pitticite
(HOM).
Localities
There are two co-type localities, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and
the White King Mine, Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon, USA.
At Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, metaheinrichite and
heinrichite occur as small crystals and coatings of scaly aggregates on
granite and on the gangue
minerals, baryte and quartz. They are
formed from the alteration of pitchblende, a
primary constituent of the
cobalt - nickel -
bismuth - silver -
uranium veins of the region, and are associated with other
secondary uranium minerals, mainly
zeunerite and nováčekite, and
with erythrite,
arseniosiderite and
pitticite
(AM 43.1134-1143)
Metaheinrichite from Wittichen -
Image
At the White King Mine, Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon, USA, metaheinrichite and
heinrichite coat fractures and line vugs in light grey, altered,
silicified rhyolite tuff.
They are present at or near the surface, while at greater depth the uranium
mineral is coffinite, which is associated with
orpiment and realgar
(AM 43.1134-1143)
Metaheinrichite from the White King Mine -
Image
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