Munakataite, a new mineral from the Kato mine, Fukuoka, Japan

Abstract

Munakataite, Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4, occurs as a thin coating on a fracture in quartz vein containing Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag ore minerals at the Kato mine, Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is monoclinic with s.g. P21/m, and lattice parameters, a = 9.766(8), b = 5.666(5), c = 9.291(10) A, beta = 102.40(8), V = 502.1(8) A3, Z = 2. Munakataite is a member of the linarite-chenite group (Strunz & Nickel: 7.BC.35), and it is the (SO4)-dominant analogue of Schmiederite. The mineral occurs as light- bluish aggregates composed of minute fibrous crystals up to approximately 30 micro m long. The mineral and mineral name were approved by the IMA, CNMNC, #2007-012. The type material is deposited at the National Museum of Nature and Science (NSM-M28982).