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Hibbingite

A valid IMA mineral species
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06580600017271923701178.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
03859190017271923737087.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
06197280017271923776033.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
06580600017271923701178.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
03859190017271923737087.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
06197280017271923776033.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
06580600017271923701178.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
03859190017271923737087.jpg
Hibbingite

Hibbingite occurrences, Lake County, Minnesota, USA
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About HibbingiteHide

06715020017271923809723.jpg
Hibbing, Minnesota, USA
Formula:
Fe2+2(OH)3Cl
Colour:
Colorless to pale green, becoming more yellow on oxidation
Specific Gravity:
3.04 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Atacamite Group
Name:
Named for the city of Hibbing, Minnesota, USA.
Dimorph of:
Parahibbingite
Hibbingite-Kempite series. Soluble in water and in ethanol.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1896
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1896:4

IMA Classification of HibbingiteHide

Classification of HibbingiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
3.DA.10a

3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
Dana 8th ed.:
10.1.1.2

10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
1 : A2(O,OH)3Xq

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
HibIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of HibbingiteHide

Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless to pale green, becoming more yellow on oxidation
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
One direction, good, perhaps a parting.
Density:
3.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of HibbingiteHide

Type:
Biaxial
Bireflectance:
Observable
Dispersion:
Relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Approximately parallel, length-fast.
Internal Reflections:
Green, becoming red with oxidation
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
n = 1.6-1.7

Chemistry of HibbingiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Fe2+2(OH)3Cl
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Fe56.362 %
O24.221 %
Cl17.891 %
H1.526 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Fe
O
Cl
H
Elements listed:
Cl, Fe, H, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Mn,Si,Mg

Crystallography of HibbingiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.3373(2) Å, b = 6.9892(2) Å, c = 9.3457(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.907 : 1 : 1.337
Unit Cell V:
413.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
platy habit

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.33 Å(100)
2.86 Å(60)
2.12 Å(50)
1.652 Å(50)
5.62 Å(40)
5.16 Å(20)
1.87 Å(20)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47i : [Terrestrial weathering of meteorites]
Geological Setting:
Weathering product of iron meteorites

Type Occurrence of HibbingiteHide

Synonyms of HibbingiteHide

Other Language Names for HibbingiteHide

Relationship of Hibbingite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Atacamite Group
Other Members of Atacamite Group:
AtacamiteCu2(OH)3ClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
BotallackiteCu2(OH)3ClMon. 2/m : P21/m
ClinoatacamiteCu2(OH)3ClMon. 2/m
GillarditeCu3Ni(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
HaydeeiteCu3Mg(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
HerbertsmithiteCu3Zn(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
IyoiteMnCuCl(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
KapellasiteCu3Zn(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
KempiteMn2+2(OH)3ClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
KuliginiteFe3Mg(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
LeverettiteCu3Co(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
MisakiiteCu3Mn(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
ParatacamiteCu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
Paratacamite-(Mg)Cu3(Mg,Cu)(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
Paratacamite-(Ni)Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
TondiiteCu3Mg(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
'Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide)'CuZnCl(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
Forms a series with:
KempiteHibbingite-Kempite Series

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

3.DA.ParahibbingiteFe2(OH)3ClTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.DA.CentennialiteCaCu3Cl2(OH)6 · nH2O (n ~ 0.7)Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
3.DA.BounahasiteCu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2Mon. 2/m
3.DA.MuonionalustaiteNi3(OH)4Cl2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
3.DA.05MelanothalliteCu2Cl2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Fddd
3.DA.10cHaydeeiteCu3Mg(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
3.DA.10bClinoatacamiteCu2(OH)3ClMon. 2/m
3.DA.10cParatacamiteCu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
3.DA.10cKapellasiteCu3Zn(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
3.DA.10cLeverettiteCu3Co(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
3.DA.10cParatacamite-(Ni)Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
3.DA.10aKempiteMn2+2(OH)3ClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
3.DA.10cTondiiteCu3Mg(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.DA.10aAtacamiteCu2(OH)3ClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
3.DA.10bBelloiteCu(OH)ClMon. 2/m : P21/b
3.DA.10cMisakiiteCu3Mn(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
3.DA.10bIyoiteMnCuCl(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
3.DA.10cKuliginiteFe3Mg(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3 : R3
3.DA.10cGillarditeCu3Ni(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.DA.10b'Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide)'CuZnCl(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
3.DA.10bBotallackiteCu2(OH)3ClMon. 2/m : P21/m
3.DA.10cHerbertsmithiteCu3Zn(OH)6Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.DA.15ClaringbulliteCu4ClF(OH)6Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
3.DA.15BarlowiteCu4BrF(OH)6Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
3.DA.20SimonkolleiteZn5Cl2(OH)8 · H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
3.DA.25ButtgenbachiteCu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
3.DA.25ConnelliteCu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2OHex. 6m2 : P62c
3.DA.30AbhuriteSn21Cl16(OH)14O6Trig. 32 : R32
3.DA.35PonomareviteK4Cu4Cl10OMon. 2/m : B2/b
3.DA.40CalumetiteCaCu4(OH)8Cl2 · 3.5H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
3.DA.40AnthonyiteCu(OH,Cl)2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m
3.DA.45KhaidarkaniteCu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
3.DA.50BobkingiteCu5Cl2(OH)8 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
3.DA.55AvdoniniteK2Cu5(OH)4Cl8 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
3.DA.60DroninoiteNi6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.DA.70ChrysothalliteK6Cu6Tl3+Cl17(OH)4 · H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
3.DA.70DioskouriiteCaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
3.DA.75FeodosiyiteCu11Mg2Cl18(OH)8 · 16H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
3.DA.80RomanorloviteK8Cu6Cl17(OH)3Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Soluble in water
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for HibbingiteHide

References for HibbingiteHide

Reference List:
Saini-eidukat, Bernhardt, Kucha, Henryk, Keppler, Hans (1994) Hibbingite, γ-Fe2(OH)3Cl, a new mineral from the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, with implications for the oxidation of Fe-bearing compounds and the transport of metals. American Mineralogist, 79 (5-6) 555-561
Buchwald, V.F., and Koch, C.B. (1995) Hibbingite (β-Fe2(OH)3Cl), a chlorine-rich corrosion product in meteorites and ancient iron objects. Meteoritics, 30(5), 493-493.
Mandarino, Joseph A. (1997) New Minerals 1990-1994. The Mineralogical Record Inc., Tuscon, Arizona. 220pp.
Saini-Eidukat, Bernhardt, Rudashevsky, Nikolai S., Polozov, Alexander G. (1998) Evidence for hibbingite–kempite solid solution. Mineralogical Magazine, 62 (2) 251-255 doi:10.1180/002646198547602
(2007) Hibbingite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Nemer, Martin B., Xiong, Yongliang, Ismail, Ahmed E., Jang, Je-Hun (2011) Solubility of Fe2(OH)3Cl (pure-iron end-member of hibbingite) in NaCl and Na2SO4 brines. Chemical Geology, 280 (1) 26-32 doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.10.003
Zubkova, Natalia V., Pekov, Igor V., Sereda, Evgeny V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2019) The crystal structure of hibbingite, orthorhombic Fe2Cl(OH)3. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 234 (6) 379-382 doi:10.1515/zkri-2018-2124
Koděra, Peter, Majzlan, Juraj, Pollok, Kilian, Kiefer, Stefan, Šimko, František, Scholtzová, Eva, Luptáková, Jarmila, Cawthorn, Grant (2022) Ferrous hydroxychlorides hibbingite [γ-Fe2(OH)3Cl] and parahibbingite [β-Fe2(OH)3Cl] as a concealed sink of Cl and H2O in ultrabasic and granitic systems. American Mineralogist, 107 (5) 826-841 doi:10.2138/am-2022-8011

Localities for HibbingiteHide

Showing 28 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada
 
  • New Brunswick
    • Charlotte Co.
      • Saint George Parish
Adex Mining
  • Ontario
    • Greater Sudbury
      • Blezard Township
Kodera et al. (2025)
      • Levack Township
v. 42 +3 other references
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Antofagasta
        • Escondida
          • La Escondida Mine
Barrick Gold Corporation
China
 
  • Inner Mongolia
    • Xilingol League (Xilinguole Prefecture)
      • East Ujimqin Banner (Dongwuzhumuqin Co.; Dongwu Qi)
Yu et al. (2026)
Czech Republic
 
  • Vysočina Region
    • Třebíč District
      • Vícenice u Náměště nad Oslavou
Skála R.
Denmark
 
  • Capital Region
    • Bornholm Island
Buchwald et al. (1995)
  • Zealand Region
    • Kalundborg
Buchwald et al. (1995)
Finland
 
  • North Ostrobothnia
Vanhanen (2001)
France
 
  • Grand Est
    • Aube
      • Nogent-sur-Seine
        • Saint-Aubin
Kurat et al. (2005)
Germany
 
  • Thuringia
    • Wartburg District
      • Dermbach
www.emc2012.org.uk (2020)
Mexico
 
  • Mexico
    • Jiquipilco (Xiquipilco)
Buchwald et al. (1995)
  • Sonora
    • Pitiquito Municipality
Buchwald et al. (1995)
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
Sharygin et al. (2013)
Dugushkina et al. (2023)
  • Irkutsk Oblast
    • Nizhneilimsky District
      • Zheleznogorsk-Ilimsky
v. 42 +3 other references
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
    • Taymyrskiy Autonomous Okrug
      • Taimyr Peninsula
v. 42 +2 other references
          • Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit
Pekov et al. (2013) +2 other references
  • Murmansk Oblast
    • Kolsky District
  • Ryazan Oblast
    • Kasimov District
Pekov et al. (2007) +1 other reference
  • Sakha
    • Mirninsky District
      • Daldyn
Sokolova et al. (2011)
Slovakia
 
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Detva District
      • Detva
Kodera et al. (2025)
South Africa
 
  • North West
    • Bojanala Platinum District Municipality
      • Rustenburg Local Municipality
        • Rustenburg
Cawthorn et al. (2009)
UK
 
  • England
    • Hampshire
      • Portsmouth
Simon et al. (2018)
USA
 
  • Georgia
    • Jenkins County
Buchwald et al. (1995)
  • Minnesota
    • Lake County
v. 42 +3 other references
  • Oregon
    • Clackamas County
      • West Linn
Buchwald et al. (1995)
  • Texas
    • Ector County
      • Odessa
Buchwald et al. (1995)
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