Obradovicite, a New Complex Arsenate-Molybdate from Chuquicamata, Chile

J. J. Finney1, S. A. Williams2 and R. D. Hamilton1
1 Geology Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo. 80401, USA.
2 Globe de Plomo Enterprises, Douglas, Ariz. 85607, USA

Abstract: Obradovicite, ideal formula H4CuFe2(AsO4) (MoO4)5 · 12H2O, occurs as fine pea-green clusters on quartz from Chuquicamata, Chile. Obradovicite is orthorhombic, space group Pcnm; a = 15.046, b = 14.848, c = 11.056 Å, Z = 4. The strongest powder pattern lines are (d Å, I, hkl) 10.565(8)(110), 8.906(10)(101), 7.424(8)(020), 5.733(5)(211), 3.761(3)(400), 3.686(4)(032), 3.466(3)(411), 3.344(4)(420). It is biaxial positive with α = 1.790, β = 1.798, γ = 1.811, 2Vz = 81°, a = Z, b = X, c = Y, with strong dispersion and pale yellow pleochroism. Specific gravity is 3.55 (meas.) or 3.68 (calc.) and the Mohs hardness is 2½ with no obvious cleavage. Obradovicite is similar to betpakdalite and sodium-betpakdalite except that it contains essential Cu and K (K > Na).

Keywords: obradovicite • new mineral • arsenates • molybdates • Chuquicamata • Chile

Mineralogical Magazine; June 1986 v. 50; no. 356; p. 283-284; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1986.050.356.12
© 1986, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)