Images
Formula: (NH4)Mn2+(PO4).H2O
Hydrated normal phosphate, manganese-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 2.39 measured, 2.437 calculated
Hardness: 1 to 2
Streak: White
Colour: Pale orange
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Niah Great Cave, Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, niahite occurs in a
limestone cave as fine radiating and sub-parallel clusters of
crystals up to 0.5mm in size, derived from the breakdown of bat guano. Associated minerals include
newberyite, collophane,
hannayite, struvite,
variscite, whitlockite,
vivianite, taranakite,
strengite, quartz,
opal, monetite,
leucophosphite, gypsum,
brushite and ardealite
(HOM, Mindat, MM 47.79-80).
At the Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Franklin Mining District, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA,
niahite is associated with newberyite,
sussexite and pyrochroite
(HOM).
Back to Minerals