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Formula: [CHg4]OCl2
Chloride, mercury-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 8.58 calculated for the ideal formula
Colour: Black
Luminescence: Not fluorescent under UV
Environments
Mikecoxite is a new mineral, approved in 2021 and to date reported only from the type locality.
Localities
At the type locality, the McDermitt Mine, Opalite Mining District, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA, mikecoxite was
found; it is the first mercury-oxide-chloride-carbide containing a
C4– anion coordinated by four mercury atoms to be described as a
mineral species. It forms intergrowths of bladed crystals up to 100 μm long that occur on granular
quartz or in vugs associated with
kleinite.
The source of carbon for mikecoxite in the volcanic high-desert environment of the type locality seems to be
methane
(AM 108.606–613).
Associated minerals include terlinguacreekite, in addition to
quartz and kleinite
(Mindat).
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