Metazeunerite

minerals

zeunerite

trogerite

uranospinite

Images
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:

Hydrothermal 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).

The type locality is the Walpurgis Flacher vein, Weißer Hirsch Mine, Neustädtel, Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany.

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 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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