Aurichalcite

Aurichalcite is a carbonate mineral, usually found as a secondary mineral in copper and zinc deposits. Its chemical formula is (Zn,Cu)₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆. The zinc to copper ratio is about 5:4.[2]

Occurrence

Auricalcite typically occurs in the oxidized zone of copper and zinc deposits. Associated minerals include: rosasite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite, malachite and azurite.[1]

It was first described in 1839 by Bottger who named the mineral for its zinc and copper content after the Greek όρειχαλκος, for "mountain brass" or "mountain copper", the name of a fabulous metal. The type locality is the Loktevskoye Mine, Upper Loktevka River, Rudnyi Altai, Altaiskii Krai, Western Siberia, Russia.[2]

References

1. ^ a b Handbook of Mineralogy
2. ^ a b c Mindat
3. ^ Webmineral data

List of minerals