Category Carbonate mineral Strunz classification 5.BA.15 Space group P21/m | Formula(repeating unit) (Zn,Cu)5[(OH)3|CO3]2 Crystal system Monoclinic | |
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Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)(same H-M symbol) | ||
Aurichalcite is a carbonate mineral, usually found as a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits. Its chemical formula is (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6. The zinc to copper ratio is about 5:4.
Occurrence
Aurichalcite typically occurs in the oxidized zone of copper and zinc deposits. Associated minerals include: rosasite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite, malachite and azurite.
It was first described in 1839 by Bottger who named the mineral for its zinc and copper content after the Greek όρειχαλκος, for "mountain brass" or "mountain copper", the name of a fabulous metal. The type locality is the Loktevskoye Mine, Upper Loktevka River, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western Siberia, Russia.
References
Aurichalcite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA