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Formula: CuCl
Normal halide, chlorargyrite group
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 3.93 to 4.3 measured, 4.22 calculated
Hardness: 2 to 2½
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless, white to greyish, greenish
Environments
Hydrothermal environments
Volcanic sublimates rarely
Nantokite occurs as a secondary mineral in hydrothermal
copper-bearing deposits, and rarely in volcanic sublimates. Associated minerals include
cuprite, copper,
atacamite, paratacamite,
claringbullite, cerussite and
hematite (HOM). It is known only from arid environments and slags. It is unstable
in humid air. It is colourless and transparent when fresh and transforms slowly into greenish
secondary copper hydroxchlorides such as
paratacamite
(Mindat).
Localities
The type locality is the Carmen Bajo Mine, Candelaria Copper mining complex, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile.
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