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Formula: Zn3(AsO4)2.2H2O
Hydrated normal arsenate, zinc-bearing
mineral
Crystal System: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 4.24 measured, 4.29 calculated
Hardness: 2
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless to light yellow
Solubility: Dissolves in hot hydrochloric and nitric acid (Dana)
Environments
Warikhanite is a rare secondary arsenate formed
by alteration of tennantite in an oxidised zone in a
dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit, associated with
tennantite, claudetite,
ludlockite, cuprian adamite,
stranskiite and tsumcorite
(HOM).
At the type locality, the Tsumeb Mine, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, warikhanite occurs in the second oxidation zone
on corroded tennantite associated with
adamite,
stranskiite, koritnigite,
claudetite, tsumcorite and
ludlockite (Dana, AM 65.408).
The first specimen found was at the E9 pillar, associated with cuprian adamite,
koritnigite, stranskiite,
helmutwinklerite,
claudetite,
ludlockite, tsumcorite and
lavendulan; a later find was a specimen from the O stope, 31 level, where
the only associated mineral was quartz
(MinRec 36.4.315).
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