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Ovamboite

A valid IMA mineral species
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08064990017377758197233.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
07452960017271948564579.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
00940430017271948583119.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
02854260017377336397584.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
07452960017271948564579.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
00940430017271948583119.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
08064990017377758197233.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
04692220017271948608236.jpg
Ovamboite, etc.

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
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About OvamboiteHide

07256470017271948601107.jpg
Typical landscape in Ovamboland

Oshikoto Region, Namibia
Formula:
Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32
Colour:
Whitish to pale yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Specific Gravity:
4.736 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Germanite Group
Name:
Derived from the location of the Tsumeb deposit, which is in the Ovamboland region of Namibia.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ovamboite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
26581
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:26581:6

IMA Classification of OvamboiteHide

Classification of OvamboiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.CB.30

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.

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

Physical Properties of OvamboiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Whitish to pale yellow
Hardness:
VHN30=265 - 340 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
4.736 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of OvamboiteHide

Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
400nm23.0%
420nm23.3%
440nm23.7%
460nm24.1%
470nm24.0%
480nm23.9%
500nm24.1%
520nm24.2%
540nm24.3%
546nm24.3%
560nm24.4%
580nm24.5%
589nm24.4%
600nm24.3%
620nm24.1%
640nm24.3%
650nm24.0%
660nm23.7%
680nm23.9%
700nm24.2%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 24.5%.
Colour in reflected light:
Whitish to pale yellow, pinkish gray.
Internal Reflections:
None.

Chemistry of OvamboiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Cu36.993 %
S29.866 %
Ge12.686 %
W10.702 %
Fe9.753 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Cu
S
Ge
W
Fe
Elements listed:
Cu, Fe, Ge, S, W, Zn - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of OvamboiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
43m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
P43n
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.68 Å
Unit Cell V:
1,218.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
By analogy with the germanite group

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of OvamboiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
General Appearance of Type Material:
Distinct round segregations and emulsion dissemination in germanite aggregates and as outer zones of maikainite crystal overgrowths on Ge-colusite, usually 1-20 µm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Mining Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
ColusiteGermaniteMaikainite
Reference:
Spiridonov, E.M. (2003) Maikainite Cu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32 and ovamboite Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32: New minerals in massive sulfide base metal ores. Doklady Earth Sciences: 393A: 1329–1332.

Synonyms of OvamboiteHide

Other Language Names for OvamboiteHide

Relationship of Ovamboite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Germanite Group
Other Members of Germanite Group:
ChatkaliteCu6FeSn2S8Tet. 42m : P4m2
ColusiteCu13VAs3S16Iso. 43m : P43n
GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16Iso. 43m : P43n
GermanocolusiteCu26V2(Ge,As)6S32Iso. 43m : P43m
MaikainiteCu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
NekrasoviteCu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
Renierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16Tet. 42m : P42c
StibiocolusiteCu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16Iso. 43m : P43m

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
23 photos of Ovamboite associated with Renierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16
23 photos of Ovamboite associated with GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16
10 photos of Ovamboite associated with GalliteCuGaS2
10 photos of Ovamboite associated with GalenaPbS
10 photos of Ovamboite associated with ChalcociteCu2S
7 photos of Ovamboite associated with SphaleriteZnS
7 photos of Ovamboite associated with Tennantite SubgroupCu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S
5 photos of Ovamboite associated with Tennantite-(Zn)Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S
4 photos of Ovamboite associated with QuartzSiO2
2 photos of Ovamboite associated with TungsteniteWS2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.CB.RichardsiteZn2CuGaS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.OkruginiteCu2SnSe3Mon. m : Bb
2.CB.HanswilkeiteKFeS2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.CB.AuroselenideAuSeMon. 2/m : B2/m
2.CB.Ruizhongite(Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8Iso. 43m : I43d
2.CB.AgmantiniteAg2MnSnS4Orth.
2.CB.TolstykhiteAu3S4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.GachingiteAu(Te1-xSex)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.05aHawleyiteCdSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05'UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn'Cu2Fe3Zn5S10
2.CB.05aColoradoiteHgTeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aMetacinnabarHgSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aTiemanniteHgSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aSphaleriteZnSIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05bSakuraiite(Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 Iso.
2.CB.05cPolhemusite(Zn,Hg)STet.
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite(Fe,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aStilleiteZnSeIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.05aIshiharaite(Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)SIso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.07a'Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)'Cu2MnSnS4
2.CB.07aShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bTalnakhiteCu9(Fe,Ni)8S16Iso. 43m : I43m
2.CB.10bHaycockiteCu4Fe5S8Orth. 222
2.CB.10aLenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aGalliteCuGaS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aRoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10aEskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.10a'UM1984-30-S:CuFeSn'Cu2Fe2Sn3S7
2.CB.10cOmariniiteCu8Fe2ZnGe2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.10aChalcopyriteCuFeS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10a'Unnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide)'CuZn2InS4
2.CB.10bMooihoekiteCu9Fe9S16Tet. 42m : P42m
2.CB.10aLaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 42m : I42d
2.CB.10bPutoraniteCu1.1Fe1.2S2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
2.CB.15aVelikiteCu2HgSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15c'UM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn'Cu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?)
2.CB.15aHocartiteAg2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aKësteriteCu2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aPirquitasiteAg2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aStanniteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15cStannoiditeCu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12Orth. 222 : I222
2.CB.15bMohiteCu2SnS3Mon.
2.CB.15aČernýiteCu2CdSnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.15aIdaiteCu5FeS6Hex.
2.CB.15aFerrokësteriteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aKuramiteCu3SnS4Tet. 42m : I42m
2.CB.17a v'Arsenic-bearing Renierite'Cu11GeAsFe4S16
2.CB.20MawsoniteCu6Fe2SnS8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.20ChatkaliteCu6FeSn2S8Tet. 42m : P4m2
2.CB.30'Frieseite'Ag2Fe5S8 (?)
2.CB.30NekrasoviteCu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30'Argyropyrite'near Ag2Fe7S11
2.CB.30MaikainiteCu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
2.CB.30ColusiteCu13VAs3S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16Iso. 43m : P43n
2.CB.30GermanocolusiteCu26V2(Ge,As)6S32Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.30StibiocolusiteCu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite(Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.35aRenierite(Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16Tet. 42m : P42c
2.CB.35aHemusiteCu6SnMoS8Iso.
2.CB.35bCatamarcaiteCu6GeWS8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.35aVincienniteCu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16Tet.
2.CB.35aKiddcreekiteCu6SnWS8Iso. 43m : F43m
2.CB.35aPolkovicite(Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.40LautiteCuAsSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.CB.42LingbaoiteAgTe3Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.45CadmoseliteCdSeHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45RambergiteMnSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Buseckite(Fe,Zn,Mn)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45MaletoyvayamiteAu3Se4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.45GreenockiteCdSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Wurtzite(Zn,Fe)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.47MurchisiteCr5S6Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31c
2.CB.50'Zincselenide'ZnSe
2.CB.50WassoniteTiSTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
2.CB.52'Dzhezkazganite'ReMoCu2PbS6 ?Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.55bIsocubaniteCuFe2S3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CB.55aCubaniteCuFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.60RaguiniteTlFeS2Orth.
2.CB.60PicotpauliteTlFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.CB.65ArgentopyriteAgFe2S3Mon. 2/m
2.CB.65SternbergiteAgFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.70SulvaniteCu3VS4Iso. 43m : P43m
2.CB.75VulcaniteCuTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.80EmpressiteAgTeOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CB.85MuthmanniteAuAgTe2Mon. 2/m : P2/m

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 OvamboiteHide

References for OvamboiteHide

Localities for OvamboiteHide

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)
 
  • Oshikoto Region
    • Tsumeb
Spiridonov (2003)
Quick NavTopAbout OvamboiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
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