Images
Formula: Cu3(MoO4)(OH)4
Anhydrous molybdate, paramorph
of markascherite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.26 measured, 4.279 calculated for the empirical formula, 4.30 calculated for the ideal formula
Hardness: 3½ to 4
Streak: Green
Colour: Dark green
Environments
Plutonic igneous environments
Hydrothermal environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Jardinera No. 1 mine, Inca de Oro mining district, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile,
szenicsite is an uncommon secondary mineral in the
oxidised zone of a copper –
molybdenum
deposit in granite. It was derived by the oxidation of
bornite and molybdenite and
is associated with powellite,
chrysocolla, brochantite,
lindgrenite, gold,
molybdenite,
chalcopyrite,
chalcocite, hematite,
baryte and quartz
(AM 79.1210, HOM).
The szenicsite occurrence was an isolated area, approximately 1 cubic meter in size, wherein the
szenicsite occurred in cavities in a matrix rich in molybdenite
and copper-bearing powellite.
Outside of the szenicsite zone, the mineralisation changed from szenicsite to
lindgrenite, with decreasing
copper. Thereafter, moving further out, the mineralisation was lacking
visible copper
content and consisted of powellite blebs in the ore
(Mindat).
Back to Minerals