Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Metauroxite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
00121180017784584937138.jpg
Metauroxite

Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
06565340017272473232764.jpg
Metauroxite, etc.

Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
03459780017799069954874.jpg
Metauroxite

San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
05864930017772917453630.jpg
Metauroxite

Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
01554000017866582727222.jpg
Metauroxite, etc.

Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
06895720017799069997281.jpg
Metauroxite

San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
02422430017778014536752.jpg
Metauroxite

Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
06565340017272473232764.jpg
Metauroxite, etc.

Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About MetauroxiteHide

Formula:
(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2
Colour:
Light yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.403 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for being lower hydrate counterpart of uroxite.
The lower hydrate counterpart of uroxite. Second natural uranium (uranyl) oxalate. Known synthetic analogue. Structure determined.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
53690
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:53690:9

IMA Classification of MetauroxiteHide

Classification of MetauroxiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
10.AB.52

10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates

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

Physical Properties of MetauroxiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Colour:
Light yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Two good cleavages probably on {101} and {010} based on the structure.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.403 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of MetauroxiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
U68.191 %
O27.501 %
C3.441 %
H0.866 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
C, H, O, U - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of MetauroxiteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.5635(3) Å, b = 6.1152(4) Å, c = 7.8283(4) Å
α = 85.572(5)°, β = 89.340(4)°, γ = 82.468(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.91 : 1 : 1.28
Unit Cell V:
263.25 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crude blades and lozenge-shaped tablets; commonly in irregular and bowtie-like intergrowths. Tablets are apparently flattened on {011}.
Twinning:
Twinning is ubiquitous, by 180° rotation around the perpendicular to {011}. Polysynthetic.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins<0.4
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals

Type Occurrence of MetauroxiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Light yellow crude blades and tablets
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 67289 and 67290 (cotypes).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Post-mining secondary phases found in efflorescent crusts on mine walls.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AbernathyiteGypsumTyuyamuniteUranopilite
Reference:
Kampf, Anthony R., Plášil, Jakub, Nash, Barbara P., Němec, Ivan, Marty, Joe (2020) Uroxite and metauroxite, the first two uranyl oxalate minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, 84 (1) 131-141 doi:10.1180/mgm.2019.57

Synonyms of MetauroxiteHide

Other Language Names for MetauroxiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Metauroxite associated with GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
1 photo of Metauroxite associated with Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
1 photo of Metauroxite associated with JarositeKFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

10.AB.Deveroite-(Ce)Ce2(C2O4)3 · 10H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.EdwindavisiteCu(C2O4)(NH3)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
10.AB.XFalottaiteMnC2O4 · 3H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
10.AB.Uroxite [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.05KatsarositeZn(C2O4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
10.AB.05AndreybulakhiteNi(C2O4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
10.AB.05HumboldtineFe2+(C2O4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m
10.AB.05LindbergiteMn2+(C2O4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m
10.AB.10GlushinskiteMg(C2O4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
10.AB.15MoolooiteCu(C2O4) · nH2OOrth.
10.AB.20StepanoviteNaMgFe3+(C2O4)3 · 8-9H2OTrig. 3m : P3c1
10.AB.25MinguzziteK3Fe3+(C2O4)3 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.30WheatleyiteNa2Cu(C2O4)2 · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
10.AB.35ZhemchuzhnikoviteNaMgAl(C2O4)3 · 8H2OTrig. 3m : P3c1
10.AB.40WeddelliteCa(C2O4) · (2.5-x)H2OTet. 4/m : I4/m
10.AB.45WhewelliteCa(C2O4) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.47FiemmeiteCu2(C2O4)(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.50CaoxiteCa(C2O4) · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
10.AB.50MiddlebackiteCu2C2O4(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.55Oxammite(NH4)2(C2O4) · H2OOrth. 222 : P21212
10.AB.60NatroxalateNa2(C2O4)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.60Phoxite(NH4)2Mg2(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)4Mon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.60Carboferriphoxite[(NH4)K(H2CO3)][Fe3+(HPO4)(H2PO4)(C2O4)]Tric. 1 : P1
10.AB.60Ferriphoxite[(NH4)2K(H2O)][Fe3+(HPO4)2(C2O4)]Mon. 2/m : P21/b
10.AB.65Coskrenite-(Ce)Ce2(SO4)2(C2O4) · 8H2OTric.
10.AB.70Levinsonite-(Y)(Y,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2OMon. 2/m
10.AB.75Zugshunstite-(Ce)(Ce,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
10.AB.80NovgorodovaiteCa2(C2O4)Cl2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 68.1914% 17,047,850 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Potassium (K) 0.0000% 0 β, γ

For comparison:

  • Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
  • Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
  • EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Activity: –

DistanceDose rateRisk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield

Fluorescence of MetauroxiteHide

In UV light:
Weak green-gray fluorescence under 405 nm laser illumination

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Insoluble in H2O and slowly soluble in dilute HCl
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 MetauroxiteHide

References for MetauroxiteHide

Localities for MetauroxiteHide

Showing 2 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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.
USA (TL)
 
  • Colorado
    • San Miguel County
Kampf et al. (2020)
  • Utah
    • San Juan County
      • La Sal Creek Mining District
Personal communication with Dr. Travis ...
Quick NavTopAbout MetauroxiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 08:00:19 Page updated: August 19, 2026 22:36:26
Go to top of page