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The uranium-bearing mineral bolivarite: new data and a second occurrence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

L. Van Wambeke*
Affiliation:
Euratom Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Varese, Italy

Summary

A second occurrence of the mineral bolivarite has been found in the Kobokobo pegmatite, Kivu, Republic of Congo (Kinshasa). This amorphous mineral was previously considered to be evansite. Its physical properties are: weak birefringence; biaxial to uniaxial positive; n = 1·50–1·51; specific gravity 1·97–2·05; hardness 3 to 3½.

Three chemical analyses have been performed on the Congolese material. The general formula of the mineral is Al2(PO4)(OH)3.4–5 H2O. Both known bolivarites from Spain and Congo contain abnormal amounts of U. The bright green UV fluorescence is due to the presence of U. The DTA curve of the Congolese bolivarite is given. Its genesis is discussed. This uranium-bearing mineral may be an indicator of uranium mineralization in Spain.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1971

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