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Formula: CaMg3Al2(PO4)4(OH)2.8H2O
Hydrated phosphate containing hydroxyl, whiteite subgroup,
jahnsite group
Specific gravity: 2.48
Hardness: 4
Colour: Colourless
Environments
Whiteite-(CaMgMg) is a low temperature, secondary mineral
formed as a result of hydrothermal alteration and approved in 2016
(Mindat).
Localities
The type locality, the Argentum Mining Co. mine, Candelaria Mining District, Mineral county, Nevada, USA, is
the only locality where whiteite-(CaMgMg) has been reported to date (July 2021). The mine was historically one
of the largest silver mines in the area, but Candelaria is now a ghost town.
Primary ore consisted mainly of
pyrite and sphalerite and minor
galena, chalcopyrite, and
arsenopyrite in a gangue of
altered country rock, quartz and
dolomite. Oxidised ore was composed predominantly of
limonite and manganese oxide with small amounts of
bindheimite, anglesite,
smithsonite and cerussite.
Whiteite-(CaMgMg) was collected from blocks containing hydrothermally altered phosphate nodules in a berm
placed to block access to the Northern Belle pit and in a graded area adjacent to the berm. Whiteite-(CaMgMg)
has not been found in situ. The mineral occurs in seams in dark-coloured massive
quartz with embedded pyrite. Other
secondary species observed in direct association with
whiteite-(CaMgMg) are crandallite,
fluorwavellite,
montgomeryite and
variscite/metavariscite. Other
secondary phases in the same general assemblage include
collinsite, gordonite,
overite and whitlockite.
Whiteite-(CaMgMg) is a low temperature, secondary mineral
presumed to have formed as a result of hydrothermal alteration. A major
serpentinite body in proximity to the deposit shows evidence of
intense hydrothermal alteration, and this is believed to be the source of the Mg in the
secondary phases, including whiteite-(CaMgMg)
(CM 54.1513-1523).
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