Category Tellurite minerals Strunz classification 4.JK.05 Space group I2, Ia3 | Formula
(repeating unit) Fe,TeTe3O8 Crystal system Isometric Unit cell a = 11.011 Å ; Z = 8 | |
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Walfordite is a rare tellurite mineral that was discovered in Chile in 1999. The mineral is described as orange with orange-yellow streak, and is determined to have a chemical formula of Fe3+,Te6+Te4+3O8 with minor titanium and magnesium substitution resulting in an approximate empirical formula of (Fe3+,Te6+,Ti4+,Mg)(Te4+)3O8.
Occurrence
The only reported occurrence is in the Wendy open pit, El Indio-Tambo mining district of Coquimbo Region, northern Chile where it occurs in oxidized breccia associated with a tellurium-bearing gold deposit. Associated minerals include: alunite, rodalquilarite, native gold, emmonsite, jarosite and pyrite. The mineral was named for mine geologist Phillip Walford (1945— ) who first noted the mineral.
References
Walfordite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA