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Formula: ZnGe(OH)6
Hydroxide, stottite subgroup,
non-stoichiometric perovskites group,
perovskite supergroup,
germanium-bearing mineral
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 3.834 calculated
Hardness: 4½
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless
Luminescence: Not fluorescent under long or short wave UV
Solubility: Soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid at room temperature
Environments
Zincostottite is a new mineral, approved in 2024 and to date (May 2025) pending publication.
Localities
At the type locality, the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, zincostottite was found as a
secondary phase alongside
siderite, malachite and
quartz on fracture surfaces in a
germanium-rich sulphide ore assemblage consisting of
germanite, bornite,
chalcocite and
tennantite-(Zn). Zincostottite crystals on the type specimens
are translucent and yellowish in colour and appear to have been strongly etched after formation.
Zincostottite is the Zn analog of stottite, also discovered at the
Tsumeb Mine. The Tsumeb Mine is a unique locality for germanium
mineralisation. With the addition of zincostottite, nancyrossite
and karlseifertite in 2024, there are now (May 2025) 16
germanium minerals for which the Tsumeb Mine is the type locality out of
41 total minerals with essential Ge. Apart from the germanium
perovskite supergroup minerals
stottite, zincostottite and
nancyrossite, the Tsumeb Mine is also the type locality for
söhngeite, another member of the
non-stoichiometric perovskites group
(AM 110.5.827-828).
Zincostottite from the Tsumeb Mine -
Image
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