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Grootfonteinite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About GrootfonteiniteHide

Formula:
Pb3O(CO3)2
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
6.856 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named after the Grootfontein district, that includes the type locality.
Structurally related to hydrocerussite and plumbonacrite. Chemically related to shannonite and UM1995-03-CO:Pb.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
46809
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46809:7

IMA Classification of GrootfonteiniteHide

Classification of GrootfonteiniteHide

5.BE.40

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
E : With Pb, Bi

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

Physical Properties of GrootfonteiniteHide

Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
Hardness:
VHN20=48.7 - 66.1 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
(0 0 1)
Parting:
Not observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.856 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured

Optical Data of GrootfonteiniteHide

Anisotropism:
Weak, ΔR(589nm)=2.1%, masked by internal reflections
Bireflectance:
Very weak
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
400nm11.7%13.9%
420nm11.4%13.6%
440nm11.1%13.3%
460nm10.9%13.1%
470nm10.8%13.0%
480nm10.7%12.9%
500nm10.6%12.8%
520nm10.5%12.7%
540nm10.5%12.6%
546nm10.5%12.6%
560nm10.4%12.6%
580nm10.4%12.5%
589nm10.3%12.5%
600nm10.3%12.4%
620nm10.3%12.4%
640nm10.2%12.3%
650nm10.2%12.3%
660nm10.2%12.2%
680nm10.2%12.2%
700nm10.2%12.1%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 13.9%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey
Internal Reflections:
White
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of GrootfonteiniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Pb3O(CO3)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Pb82.047 %
O14.783 %
C3.171 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Pb
O
C

Crystallography of GrootfonteiniteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6mm - Dihexagonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63mc
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.303(1) Å, c = 13.770(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.597
Unit Cell V:
334.88 ų
Z:
2

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals]

Type Occurrence of GrootfonteiniteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Platy grains up to 1 mm across and up to 0.2 mm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, catalogue number 20080176.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Complex, banded assemblage from a Mn(-Fe) oxide ore unit. May have formed by regional metamorphism of a primary, Pb-Mn-(As-Ba)-rich, chemically heterogeneous, volcanic-hydrothermal assemblage.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of GrootfonteiniteHide

Other Language Names for GrootfonteiniteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Grootfonteinite associated with CerussitePbCO3
1 photo of Grootfonteinite associated with JacobsiteMn2+Fe3+2O4
1 photo of Grootfonteinite associated with HausmanniteMn2+Mn3+2O4

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

5.BE.XAbellaiteNaPb2(CO3)2(OH)Hex. 6mm : P63mc
5.BE.05ShannonitePb2O(CO3)Orth. 222 : P212121
5.BE.10HydrocerussitePb3(CO3)2(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
5.BE.15PlumbonacritePb5O(OH)2(CO3)3Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
5.BE.20PhosgenitePb2CO3Cl2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mbm
5.BE.25Bismutite(BiO)2CO3Orth. mm2 : Imm2
5.BE.30KettneriteCaBiCO3OFOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
5.BE.35BeyeriteCa(BiO)2(CO3)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Immm
5.BE.45SomersetitePb8O2(OH)2(CO3)5Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc

Other InformationHide

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 GrootfonteiniteHide

References for GrootfonteiniteHide

Localities for GrootfonteiniteHide

Showing 1 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.
Namibia (TL)
 
  • Otjozondjupa Region
    • Otavi Constituency
      • Kombat
Hålenius et al. (2015) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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