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Formula: Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2.8H2O
Hydrated normal arsenate,
meta-autunite group,
uranyl mineral, the prefix "meta" indicates
that this mineral is a dehydration product of zeunerite
Epitaxy: Oriented growths of metazeunerite on trögerite and
uranospinite have been found
(Mindat).
Crystal System: Tetragonite
Specific gravity: 3.64 measured, 3.87 calculated
Hardness: 2 to 2½
Streak: Greenish white
Colour: Grass-green, emerald-green; green in transmitted light
Solubility: Readily soluble in acids
RADIOACTIVE
Environments:
Metazeunerite has been found as a rare secondary
arsenate in the oxidised zones of
arsenic-bearing hydrothermal uranium
deposits; it commonly forms from dehydration of
zeunerite. Associated minerals include torbernite,
trögerite, walpurgite,
uranospinite, erythrite,
mimetite, pharmacosiderite,
olivenite and chalcophyllite
(HOM, Mindat ).
Localities
On the north shore of Lake Athabaska, Saskatchewan, Canada, metazeunerite occurs in vugs and crevices, in close proximity to
sulphides, silver and altered pitchblende
(AM 36.411-414).
At Cap Garonne, Var, France, metazeunerite occurs with chalcophyllite,
olivenite and pharmacosiderite
(Dana).
Metazeunerite from Cap Garonne - Image
The type locality is the Walpurgis Flacher vein, Weißer Hirsch Mine, Neustädtel, Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony,
Germany.
Metazeunerite from the Weißer Hirsch Mine -
Image
In the Erongo mountains, Namibia, metazeunerite has been found, rarely, associated with
fluorite, quartz and
schorl
(Minrec 37.5.422-424).
Metazeunerite from Erongo - Image
At the W. Wilson mine, near Clancy, Montana, USA, secondary uranium minerals
include meta-autunite, metauranocircite,
metatorbernite, metazeunerite, uranophane,
uranophane-β and phosphuranylite.
Uraninite has been leached and altered by ground water to form the
secondary minerals
(AM 42.222-230).
At the Majuba Hill Mine, Antelope Mining District, Pershing County, Nevada, USA, microscopic crystals of
Metazeunerite have been found
(Mindat photo).
Metazeunerite from the Majuba Hill Mine -
Image
At the Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic district, Utah, USA, metazeunerite occurs in a
sandstone uranium deposit with erythrite
and mimetite and other uranium minerals such as
torbernite, trögerite,
uranospinite and walpurgite (Dana).
The metazeunerite occurs as tiny tablets associated with secondary
copper arsenates in oxidised limonitic vein material
(AM 36.249-255).
Metazeunerite from the Centennial Eureka Mine -
Image
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