SpColl £2' 1 Energy I TEl 334 Identification and Occurrence of Uranium and Vanadium Minerals from the Colorado Plateaus
~ By A. D. Weeks and M. E. Thompson ~ I"\ ~ ~
Trace Elements Investigations Report 334
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN REPLY REFER TO:
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WASHINGTON 25, D. C. AUG 12 1953
Dr. PhilUp L. Merritt, Assistant Director Division of Ra1'r Materials U. S. AtoTILic Energy Commission. P. 0. Box 30, Ansonia Station New· York 23, Nei< York
Dear Phil~
Transmitted herewith are six copies oi' TEI-334, "Identification and occurrence oi' uranium and vanadium minerals i'rom the Colorado Plateaus," by A , D. Weeks and M. E. Thompson, April 1953 •
We are asking !41'. Hosted to approve our plan to publish this re:por t as a C.i.rcular ..
Sincerely yours,
Ak~f777.~ W. H. ~radley Chief' Geologist UNCLASSIFIED
Geology and Mineralogy This document consists or 69 pages. Series A.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TEE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
IDENTIFICATION AND OCCURRENCE OF URANIUM AND VANADIUM MINERALS FROM TEE COLORADO PLATEAUS*
By
A• D. Weeks and M. E. Thompson
April 1953
Trace Elements Investigations Report 334
This preliminary report is distributed without editorial and technical review for conformity with ofricial standards and nomenclature. It is not for public inspection or guotation.
*This report concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the u. s. Atomic Energy Commission 2
USGS
GEOLOGY AllU MINEFALOGY
Distribution (Series A) No. of copies
American Cyanamid Company, Winchester 1 Argulllle National La:boratory ., ., ...... , " .... .,., ...... ".,., .. ., ...... , ...... , 1 Atomic Energy Connnission, Washington .. ., ...... , .. o., ...... 2 BatteJ_le Memorial Institute, Columbus ...... " .. .,"., ...... , .,...... 1 Carbide and. Carbon Chemicals Company, Y-12 Area •••••••••••• 1 Div.i.sion o:f Ra•H .Materials, Butte ...... , .... ., ., ., ., ., ., ., ·., ., ., ...... , ...... 1 Division of Ra-tr Materials, Denver .... ., ...... , ., ...... , .. ., .. ., ...... , 1 Div:tsi.on o:f Ravr M9..ter~~als, Grants """""""f)""""o .. ., ...... """""""" 1 Division of Rmr Ma tex·ials, Hot Spri:ngs ,...... 1 D:l.v:i.sion of Ra\.v Ma.teria.ls, New York .... ., ., ., ., ...... , ., .. "., .... .,., .... ., ...... 6 Division of Ra.-vt Ms.terials, Richfield. .. ., .. ., ...... , ., ., o ...... , ...... 1 Division of Ra;n Materials, Salt Lake City .... ., ...... , ...... , ., ...... o .. 1 Division. of Raw Materials, Washington o o o .... o o .. o o o o ...... o ...... 3 DJ.v:l.s:lon of Reseru.... ch, Hashington .... o .... ., ...... " .. o o .. o ...... 1 Dow Chemi.eal Company, Pittsburg ...... ooooooooooooo ...... o .. 1 ExploratioD. Divisj_on, Grand Junction Operat:ions Office 6 Grand. Junction Operations Office ...... o o o .. ., .... ., ...... o ...... o .. 2
TecP.nical In.formatio!l Service, Oak Ridge .... o o .. o o .... o ...... o o o t> 6 Tert...nessee Valley Authority, VTilson Dam .. o .. o o., o .. " o .. t> ...... o .. o o 1
U. s. Geological Survey: AlaGkan Geology Branch, Washington o ...... oooooo"""""" 1 Fuels Branch, Washington ""'""""""""""'"ooooo"""••ooo<>oooooeoo 6 Geochemistry and Petrology Branch, vlashington •••••••••••••• 30 Geophysics Branch, Washington ooooooooooooooo•ooooooooooooo<> 1 Mineral Deposits Branch, Washington ...... oeoooooooo .... o .. oooooo 3 E .. H o Bailey, San F1.... ancisco ., o ., ., .. o o .... o u o.,"' o ...... , o ...... " o .... o o o o .. 1 J o R., Cooper, Denver ., ...... o .... o ...... o o o .. o o ., ., " .. o· o o ., o ., ., ., ., o o .. 1 N.. M., D·::n.son, Denver· .. ., ...... o o o ...... o o .. ,. o o o o o o o o .. ., o .... " o .. ., o ., .. ., .... 2 C .. Eo Dutton, M::1dison oooooooooooo ...... o .. ooo<>oooo ...... ooo 1 R .. P .. Fischer, Grand Junction •o<>oooooooooooooooooooooo,. • .;,.., 20 L., S., Ga:~d:ner, Albuq.uerque .. o .. ., .... o o.,., .. o <> o o () () () ...... ,.,. () o o ... ., .... o 3 c .. B. Hunt, Plant; City .. o .. " ...... o .... ., o .. ., .. o o .. o .... o o.,.,.,., ...... ,. o o o ... .. 1 M. R. F~epper, Washington oeoooooooeoooooooooooooeooeooooooo 1 A. H., KOSC~nn, Denver oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 1 R. A. Laurence, Knoxville """"""""""""""•ooooooooooooooooooo 1 D. M. Lemmon, Washington ooooooooooooooooeoooooooooooooooooo 1 J • .D. Lo·ve, Lara:m.ie .. " o o ., ...... , .... o .. o ., ., .. ., o ., e o • o o .. o ., .. ., o ., o .... o o .. ., .. 1 L. R. Page, Denver· " ...... o o ...... , .. o o .. ., .. o o o ...... o o o .. o .. o o .... o o o ., ...... 20 R .. J~ Roberts, Salt Lake City c ...... oooooo•oooooooo l Q,o D .. Singewald, Beltsville ooooooooooooo<>ooo<>ooo.,ooooooooo" l J., F.. Sniith, Jr o , Denver e o .. o ., .. o .. " o .... o .. o ...... o ...... , .... ., o e o .. ., e .. o o 1
R" 'i., Swanson, Spokan.e o ... ., o .. (I .... " .... c o o .. ., ., o o o o .... " o ... o o ., o o .... o ... 1 A.,. E. Vleissen:born, Spokane ooocooooo'OOOQOOOODO ,,I.. p 0 WJ.llia:m.s' Joplin ... e 0 0 0 0 " 0 " " G .. 0 0 .. 0 0 0 0 .... 0 c .. 0 .. " 0 ...... " 0 1 TEPCO, Washington: Resour..:!e Compilation Section """'"ooooooooooooooaooooooaooo<><> 5 Reports Process:i.ng Section oooooooooooooooo ...... o .. o•e .... o. 5 (Including maste:r) 149 CONTE!\'TS Page Part I Abstract 0 Ct o 00 00000 0 0 <> <> o 0 <> 00 0 <> 0 <>0 0 <> 0 0 0 o 0 0 0 0 0 0 O<> 0 ~ 00 0 <1 5 Introduction """""o"""""""""""'""""""oooooo""'""""e"""" 5 Purpose ., , .. "" "".," ~:~" (> .. " o .... "" .. " .... " ...... """ ., ", "' ...... ".,"., .... " .. 6 Mineral data "., "<>" .. " .. """" .... " .. o <>" .. "" .. "" .. " o " ...... " .. "". 6 M:i.ne:ral associations and distribution of types of ore .. " " .. , " " ., " " " " o ., " ., ., o " " o .. " .. " o " " .. .,. ., .... " .... " " o " " .. " ...... " " 10 Oxidized vanl":ld.ium-uranium ores (carnotite) oo ...... 10 Unoxidized va:uad.ium~·l.Jranium ores .... """ .. "" " ...... "" 11 Oxidized nonvanadiferous uranium ores """""'""'"••• 13 Unoxidi.zed. nonvana.d:i.ferous ore (p:itchblende- coppe:r suJ.flde) ...... " " .. " " " " ., " " " ...... " " " " , " ...... o .. " .. , .. 14 Part II Uranium. mlnera.ls .. " .. ., .... , .. " " " " " " .. " " .... " .... " ., " " " " .... " .... " .... 15 Description of iden.tif.i.ed minerals """""""""""""" 15 Autu_r:ti te and meta-·autrmite I ...... o .. ., .. o .. o o o .. o 17 Bassetite o o o o o <1 o ,<> Q o o o o o o o o o o 0 o o Cl o o o o "o o e o o o " 18 Bayleyite oo<>oooooooooooot><>oooooooo<>OO RabbHtHe 0 0 00 oo <> 0 00 "" 00 0 0 <> 0 00 0 000 0 00" 00 .,., .. 0 29 Rau.v:i.te o o o o o o o o o o .. o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o., o o o o o o o 30 Schroeckingerite ., .. ~oo~ooo~ooooooooooo•o~oooo 31 Torbernite and metatorbernite ooooooooooooooo 32 Tyu.ya.muni:te o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o " o o o o o ~> .... o o .. o .. o o .... 33 Meta tyu~mun.i te o o o o o o .. o ., o .. o o o o " o o o o ., o ... o o o o .. 34 U:raninite (pitchblende) o oaoeoooooo oooooooooo 35 Uranophane oooeoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooa 37 Uranopilite ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 38 Uvani te .. o .. ., o o o o ., .. o o o o .. , o o o o o o o o o o .. o o o o o o o e o o 39 Metazeune:rite 0 0 0 0 0 D 0 0 0 0 OOOQO 0 0 00 0 0 000 0 0 000 0 0 40 Betazippeite o o o o o ""'' o o , o o o o o o " o o o o:o o o o o o "' n o o o o 41 Vanadium minerals <> 0 000 00 0 0 0 0 DO 0 0 00 OQO 0 <> 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 Description of identified mi..nerals (uranyl vanailates under u:ra.n.i.um minerals) o o o o .. ., o o o o o o o .. 48 Corvusi.te o o .. o o o o o. o o o o o o o .. o o .. o o "o o o o o o o o o .. o o 50 Doloresite and lumsden:Lte 0000000000000000000 51 Ferva.rrl. te 0 OQOOO QO 0 0 00 <> 0 00 Q 00 0 0 0 0 0 <> 1;>0 0 <> 0 0 0 <> 0 Q 52 Rewettite <> 0 0 00 00 00 00 OQ 0 0 0 0 0 00 <>O 0 <>00 00 0 0 0 00 00 53 Page Part II Vanadium minerals (Continued) Metahewettite c>o-ooo eo eo o ooooooo o o o o o ooo <>• oc>o 54 Hummerite oooooooooooooooooooooocooaoooeoooo 55 Melanovanadite ooooooooooooooooooo-oooooooooo 56 Montroseite ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo• 57 Nava.hoi te o" .. o o., o o o "" .. o" "" o ...... " .. o o o o""" .. " o o 58 • Pascoite oooooooooooooooooaooooooooooooo•ooo 59 Roscoelite and. vanadium hydromica oo•""""o"" 6o Rossi·te ., """ """ " .. " .. " .. .,"" o .. ""' " .. " "o" ...... "., o ... 61 Metarossite ooooooooooooooooooooooooo•oo•oo• 62 Sodium analogue of hevrettite .. ., .. """ " • ., o" o • .,.., 63 Steigerite ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo•o 64 Volborthite o eo ooo O<> o O(lo oo c>oooo o c" o ooo oo D ooo 65 Ca.lciovolborthite oooooooooooooooooooooooooo 66 Literature cited cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooa 69 Unpublished reports ooooooooooooooOOO!lfi(>OOOOOOOOOOO TABLES Pa.ge Table l. Optical properties of uranium minerals 0" 0 0 "" 0 .. 42-48 2. List of m.i.ne names shmring county and sta.te •• ; 67-68 5 IDE~"TIFICATION AND OCCURRENCE OF URANIUM AND VANADIUM MINERALS FROM THE COLORADO PLATEAUS by A. D. 1ileeks and M. E. T'.c:tompson Part I ABSTRACT This report, designed to make available to field geologists and others information on :~dentificat2.on and. oc;:!urrence of uranium minerals of the Colorado Plateaus, contains physical properties, X-ray data, and in some instances results of chemice~l and spectrographic analysis of 24 uranium and 17 vanadium minerals, Also included is a table giving the optical properties of uranium minerals and a. list of locations of mines from vrhic~ the minerals have been identified, INTRODUCTION More t:b..an 20 uranium and about 20 vanadium minerals have been identified during recent mineralogic studies of u.ra!lium ores from the Colorado Plateaus .. This work is part of a. program undertaken by the Geological Survey on behalf of the Atomic Energy Commission .. Thanks are due many members of the Geological Survey who have worked on one or more phases of the study-~in.cluding chemical, spectrographic, and X-ray examination as well as collecting of samples .. We are grateful to George Switzer of the u. S, National Museum and to Clifford Frondel of Harvard University who kindly loaned type mineral specimens and cliscussed various problems. 6 PURPOSE The pu:rpose of thl.s report is to make av-cJ.ilable to field geologists and others, who do not have extensive laboratory facilities, present in:for mation on the ide.nti.fica.tion and occ=:cence o.f the u.ranium and va::Jadium minerals of ol"es from the Plateaus.. Distinct:i.Vt9 properties of each mineral are :astecl to encou:l:'age and facilitate iden·d.f.i.cation by optical or chemi•3al tests o A combination of data from x .... ra,y :povrder patt.ern.s and spectrographic analyses is u8efu.l an.i efficieEt for certain minerals, especially i..f the quantity of m:l.nera.l is very small, but for many minerals these techniques are not necessaryo MINERAL DATA The mirrerals :include several new species and many that v.rere rare and incompletely (or ina.cclll.'ately) described 'before the recent intensive search for uraniu.m. The data for each mineral include the best avaj.lahle formula., in geuera.l from the Glossary of uranium- and. thorium-bearing mine:ra.ls (Frondel and Fleischer, 1952), a.nd. c:rysta.llograph:i.c and. physical pr·opert:l.es :from Dana.' s System of mineralogy, 7th ed.i tion, and. from Mineralogy of uranium and. tho:r Iu.m minerals (George, l9lf9). For minerals show-lng a considerable range of properties, selection :tta.s been !113.d.e t.o emphasiz.e those not_;ed. -by the -w-rite:rs for specimens· from the Colorado Plateaus. Crystallographic data are reduced to a. m:i.nimum. because such would he used :rarely by the field geolog:l.st. An exception is crysta.l ha:bH. ·\·f':l:i.ch may he observed. ~orlth a binoc ular microscope, such as the platy habit of the torbe:rni te group and. bladed. or fTb:rous habit of uranophane. Chiefly ·to establj.sh the pa:rt:i.cula.r mate rial that is :referred to u.nd.e:r each species, t.b.e d.-spacing :i.n Angstrom 7 units is g:Lven :f.'or several strong lines of the X·~ray rliffraction powder pat:i>e:rn taken vlith CuKa radiat.iono The re_lstive inter1.sity of the li::es is indicateet by the abbreviation3 g VS very stong, S strong, M med:tum, and W weak. The x-.. ray photographs were taken by E. A. Cisney, and M. E. Thompson. Relatively fe"ir cf the urar_tum and vanadium minerals are too fine gra.:Lned., too hl.gh 1n re:f'ract:i.ve index, or too dark for determination of some optical prope1rtietJ. Certain nd.nerals, notably the ·torbernite group arrd. thB carnotite g::oou:p, d.ehydrate easily ·Hi. th :resultant rise .i.n re:f".cactive i:ndices; id.enti.fication o.f minerals in these groups by optical properties must be ma.d.s ·with considerable care. Table l gives the optical properties o.f u.rantum minerals .. So man,y yellow and. g.reerri.sh.""yel1ovr ura.nj_um m.i.nerals as well as a fet·r yellow and green.l.sh ... yellov va.nad.:lum and. copper minerals occur on the Pla. ... teaus tr.a.t col.or is not a dependable means of :i.d.entification 1L11less combi.ned. 1-ri th other propert.lE::s o The cDlC(r' of fluorescerrc~ noted here is for minerals observed. under ultrav1olet light (2537 A) and. may differ considerably from the color or deg;;:·ee of fJJ~ores,oenee observed at 3660 A. Fm: the ne Vlorthi:>J.g, CoS. Annell., J., Ne St:i.ch, ant1. Ko Eo Valentineo Semig;ua"ntltative spectrographic analyser3 (\faring and. A:o:-,:nell, 1952) mad.s on 10 mg of sample are given :for constituents in the :following percentage ranges: more the,n 10, 1 to 10, 0.1 to 1, 0.01 to 0.1, and 0.001 to 0.01. Qualitative spectro graphic analyses (Stich, :L953), llL'tde on 1 mg of sample, list the c-::mstituent elem.ents as 'lJ.'l.jcr (more than 10 percent), minor (approximately l to 10 8 percent), and trace (less t.:b.a.n 1 percen:t). Under Occu.rrence is noted the prim'1ry or secondary natuxe of ea.ch mineral and. whether it is found. as impreg.c-:tatiou, replacement, or coati.ng on f':ractuxes and mine wallso Listed also are the commonly associated minerals o Only for a .fevr rare minerals is the !l~me of the person who collected the samples given. Most of the samples were collected by L. B. Rile;v, L. R. Stieff, T. vi. Stern, and the writers; a smaller number by other Survey geolog:'Lsts and by mine operators. The sP.ction headed Identification is based. on the writers' experience i.n iden+,ifying these minerals. Minerals tha.t are commonly fine grained, in thin coatings, or admixed ' Plateaus, can be identified satisfactorily in the laboratory using a small amount of materiaL A lmmg amount of mineral is sufficient for a spindle for an X~ray povrder pattern, and the spiJ:CdJ.e may then be used for qualitative spectrographic analysis., Some groups of minerals :b.J3.ve similar X·-ray patterns, as auhmite and uxanocircite or metatorbernite and metazeunerite, and an additional test is necessary to O.ete:rml.ne the mineral., A satisfactory test for m:anium may be made by a bead test using a small loop of platinum vrire and. a flux composed of 4-5.5 percent by weight of :Na2 CC8 , 1>5.5 percent loy weight of' K2 C0,3, and 9 percent by weight of Na.F' ar:d. observing with a long wavelength (:3650 A) ultraviolet light the fluores cence caused by uranium (Grim£tldi. and. others, 1952). The test is more easily ms.de using a small platinum pan such as the lid of a platinum crucible. The flux should be melted and the blank tested with the ultraviolet light before the mineral grains are add.ed. a.nd the flux remelted for the final test. i.J"ith a little practice orre can distinguish bet-ween the bright fluorescence of a uxanium miner·al and. the faint fluorescence of slightly m."aniferous Q material such a.rs u_raniferous opal., Af-ter obtaining a positive test t~e plat.i.r.rum vire Or" pan. shou.ld be 1\rashed in. hyd.r ochloric acid. before mB.king another test.., The test described above may be mod:Lf'ied hy uBi.ng a flux composed. of nJ.ne parts of householfl ba.kiP..g soda. fl,:cct ,:>De part of sodium fluorid.e (as sold. by drug storer:; for ant poison) an.'i orlLtn.sry 'iron wire., In this case the flux should. be fused. O:'(ll y a short time t,o avoid adding l.ron t11'a.t cauRes qp_.euchi:ng of t~he u.ra.IJ.:i.um flwJrssc(::nceo Although a wavelength of _3650 A 1s teEt t'-.:J:r R.-Jt.!l11:"ate 1abora-s,J~~ w To t0;;:t, for va.nad.i.um, di.ssol:ve a sm9.ll portion of the mine:ral o:c ore .in Fl.qua :r·egia, E;va.:pora.te i:;o di'y:oess ~ ad.d. a.s much vra.ter as original acid, and ther.. ad.d. &. feTV d.rDps o:f' hyd:"::>oge:n per-Jxi/1.!3"' If vanadium is :present the solution will t~"LJ:.'::r.c <"rrarrgf; :::ed_o Ca-r·r.nt1.te o:r -t:yuyamonite commonly tux'ns red. b:t"O'~·m. When a drop of' cJnr:!e:!J:trat~>::d. hyd:roc!J.l-:;r:Lc acid. is added. but this ter;:lt :i.s nut always sa.tisfa0tor-y fo~ rosc::Jt? lite ore v Loca.lit-ies are listed by mi::l'":! n3,me a.r.d. ·rhe m..i.n.ing d.istrict. ~ as shown 0::2 a map by Sb.oem?.k/::r and. I;uedl~e (1952)" .Mos't nxLn= names are t:2ose i.n UBe when samples were collected. in the sum.er of 1952, but some are as record.ed w:Lth Ramp.l!0:3 collected j_u l950 a:od. 1951o Tc- hc:lp the reader "rho is r>ot fa:rn:i.liar "i·ri t.h the ml.ning dlstricts an alph:.,;betical list of' mine and. locality :2-St.mes is given in table 2 shot·r.Lng the c.:mnty aDJl state in which e::wh .is 1_/)r.;a,t.eQ.. The :::rumber of loc3,litles is !'estrlcted to those from which specimens have been identi.fied by the autb.m·s and. to t.l'.e type localities of minerals d~posits at Pum,pkin Buttes, Wyoo ~ b.3.Ye bean 1rrc1.uded .. 10 MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF TYPES OF ORE Ore .from the Plateaus maybe classified on the basis of whether ura- nium is associated with vanadium or with copper and .other metals.. Each may be subdivided into highly oxidized or relatively unoxidized ore. OXidized vanadium-uranium ore (carnotite) For many years the chief ·ore mined on the Plateaus was oxidized vanadium-uranium ore from the western Colorado-eastern Utah area, now known as the Uravan mineral belt, and from Tem:ple Mountain on the east side of the San Rafael swell in Utah. The most abundant uranium mineral was carnotite with a smaller amount of tyuyamunite and very little rauvite and uvanite. The most abundant vanadium minerals (aside from the uranyl vanad.ates) were vanadium hydromica and/or roscoelite and corvusite, with local concentration of hewettite and metahewettite and small amounts of other secondary quinquivalent vanadium minerals : pa.scoite, h1llllllleri te, rossite, metarossite, steigerite, navahoite, fervanite, and the sodium analogue of hewettite--filling fractures or coating joint surfaces and mine walls. Many of these minerals have been found in mines recently·developed at Monument Valley, Ariz. In the ·Shiprock district, Arizona-New Mexico, and along the north side of the Zuni uplift, N.Mex., tyuyamunite and metatyuyamunite are more abundant than carnotite •. Recently several other uranium minerals in small amounts have been found in carnotite ore: schroeckingerite, meta~autunite, metazeunerite, uranophane, and novacekite. Locally, 'Where both copper and vanadium are present, small quantities of volborthite and calciovolborthite occur as at Richardson Basin, Moab district, Utah, and in the Slick Rock district, Colo. ' ll F.lacerville a.n.d RJ ..f'le, Col~, ~~+:vro ~1··ea2. i·.:t:r"'t. pl-'t;d.uced chJ.efly vanc1.- 0.:l.:.un ·r.rl t11 re.laf.:ivel~v little D.r'a.rr:lU'Jl~·--b:=tve :2.< t. bse:-2 give:t d.etai.led Illlllel:al ·~ ogic stu.d.y .. The vanad.ium-to~·ura:n.ium ratio of the CTG:-l 2:-a:.Jges from a high :r~a.t.:l:J -::>.f U:ra.varr mi.r.teral ·belt, G:;1urac1c:<""Ut:ah, i:)J.e Sb.i.P!"t::l_:_t:;: d.iErt.rir;t, Ar.izOD.8.=NErvr Mexico, Monument Valley~ Ariz" 9 the Gra.rrr.::, -Ch34::-r.:let on the ncrth si(lc G·.f th'? Zuni uplif't, No M~-Y", ·t;n. a ~at.ic -:-.f' :J.b:y_~_+-, l ~ 1 s>t; Teinple Moul2.tain 1:1 1).1~ San Raf:a.sl ~]:1,;-?,+.:~'.:<.,;~;, Ut:s,t... Some dJ.ffece'C:;(-:-:::.. L:1. relativ-e abundance o:F. mine:r.-a.:::..s in. the ~'-everal areas are due t:J ·the variat.i.JL. in V:U rati;;-" Otb.er diff'e!"•:.:n.::;;es are Clue to local conditionE such a.s h:l.g!1 ca.lclum co:':ltent o:f' the coincid.errt. ·1-r:i.th the &.rea of the Peu:J.sy.l.va:n1an r,~va.po.r:tte basin a:iJ.d. m9,y "bso related. to tl::.e p~esence cf p.:. Her1l1.D:?.a fo-rma.t~~t.)llo P:reseE..;a of .fJBt.::d.l bt-:.1"21? In3,V f:S.VOl"" lo::!al CleveloprrlAnt. of In the early CL11.ys cf l:Ct:-anluJ.n mining en tb.E; Pl..<::J.:t.eaus, small co:::-·.t~er...t.:ra;tions of bl&.ck mineralG :tnclud:e-i J.r1 the c:s.rnJi::,i"t·=: ore T·'82:."e ca.ll·=d ,~or·\nu:\i te ~va.noxi te ·J!B and. thought to be co"tD:posed. ehi·:;f.ly of vs.::::.adj um oxides o Recently, as ma.:!'ly ne-w m.i.nes ha.ve besn opened, much more black ore htgh i.::2. u.:ranj.um as well ar:l va,nad.iu.m :!.-s.S ·b·2cL r.~,.f.;Ld ~·rh·::;.t"'E;Ve.r or~~ bodJ.. =:s a:::·e p!'·2·-~ tected from ox·idatio::-J. by t.h:ick cove:r·, aF; 1.r~. th8 ,J8eper o.re bodJ.es i:::. the l<:xag Park area of t:.he UrA.lr8,rr cli;3t.rir:;i_, or whRY'E: 01~·e h';:'J.f?, been exposed vr~r-y recent-ly 12 by hea•J:;m;rd. e!"os:i.on of steep canyons, as :i.n LumBden Canyon, Gateeray d.istr.ict, or L'1 Sal Creek, Paradox district. Some sm'1ll mines have cbiefJ.y black ore wi.th very :L.it.tle secondary alteration, and others like Monument No. 2 mine in Monumen.t Valley district, have scattered. u:noxidized remr,ants in ore that is chiefly oxidized. Si.n~e 1950 mineralogic study has shown the presence of several i.mpor- ta:J:t pr:l:=ry u:ran:i.um and. vana is called. e·~:f:f'ini te by L. R. Stie:ff and. T. vi. Stern who :found. it in 1951 (report :t.n preparation). The vanadium minerals are montroseite and. other trivalent and. g_uad.rivalent vanadium oxid.es (one called. d.oloresl.te and another lumsd.en:i.te by T. VI. Stern, report in preparatl.on). Both uranium and. varw.d.ium. minerals are associated. w.i th pyrite, commonly with high ra.D:k. coali.:f.ied wood., and traces of copper, lead., cobalt, p_i.ckel, moJ.ybd.enum, and silver. Also preserrt anrl possibly representing a transition to the oxidized ore are melanovana.d:i.'te, corvusi'te and. probably :ferna.udin:i.te. The ore a:t Temple Mountain in the eastern part of the San Rafael district has been colllrrlonly referred to as aspha.lt:ite ore 'because o:f asphaltic ms:ter:i.al impregnating the sandstone a:nd carbonaceous mate:rial tn the ore., However, b.igher-t):l..a.n~a.verage carbon con:t;ent does not prevent classifylng th:l.s ore O."l the basi.s o:f mine:ral assemblage w:ith the other uranium-vanadium ores. Tbo :r·elat.ively unoxidi.zed. portion o.f tl:J.e ore contains pitchblend.e associated. 'Yrl:th a hard. carbonaceous substance variously described. as high rank coal or *The term pl.tchblend.e is used. as in Dana, 7th edition, vol. 1, pp. 61:5~ 614, for a m'3.ssive variety of ura.n:l.n:i.te, with specific gravity .lm-rer tll.3.n 8.5 a.ud thorium absent; or less th"tn 1 percent. 13 :polymerized petroletilll residue ( thucholite ? ) ; also present is :pyrite ;Jith very small amounts of morrtroseite and galena, Oxidized norrvanadiferous uranium ores In contrast to the carnotite ore, 1;he nonvanadiferous uranium ores ar.e characterized by a wide variety of secondary uranium ni:inerals that include hydrated. oxides, carbonates, suli'ates, phosphates, arsenates, and. sd.licatez" Most of these urarLium minerals a~re yellow·, orange, green:tsh yellow, or green, and m:l.crocrystalline or IDRssive. They fill minute frac tures in sandstone, conglomerate, or fossil wood. and. coat joint surfaces and mine walls.. In small ore pockets or even in small mines One of these minerals may be abu:o.dant, bu:t among them no mineral is as predominant as carnotite is i!l the oxidized. vanadium-uranium ore. In studies to date, the ura..l'linm sulfates seem the most a·bunda.nt. Co:p:per, the chief associated. metal, occurs in many secondary minerals, commonly as malachite, azurite, chalcanthite, antlerite, brochantite, and. chrysocolla, and. rarely as con:i.chalcite, chalcoalumite, and. v-olborthite. Other metals are present and. differ :i.n abundance fTom one mine to another: iron and. manganese in J.imonite and. wad, cobal't; in b:i.eberite (commonly de hydrated), s_:phaerocobalt:i.te, erytheite, or coba.ltoan pickering1.te, molybdenum :1'2 ilsemannite or fe:rrimolybdi.te, and traces of lead, zinc, nickel and silver .. Out,~rops of these deposits or joint surfaces within a few inches of the c.li:ff face commonly show bright-blue S..."J.d green copper stain, bright yellow of uranium su.lfates or carbona.tes, pink cobalt bJ.oom, dull-yellow jaro.site, white alu:nite and., in a few pllices, fluorescent ura.n:iferous opal and allophane. Clay lenses in the ore or nearby a:re bleached and. altered to kaolinite, jarosite, alunite, or gibbsite. Unoxidized nonvanadiferous ore (pitchblende-copper sulfide) Since 1949 relatively unoxidized nonvanadiferous uranium ore has been found at a number of places in the west-central part of the Monument uplift, now called the White Canyon mining district, and in scattered localities L'l the Green River, San Rafael, and Henry Mountains mining districts. Coff:i.nite has been identifi.ed at l mine and pitchblende at 13 mines in non vanadiferous ore (in addition to the 8 coffinite and ll pitchblende local ities in vanadiferous ore). As in the case of the black vanadium-uranium ore, some mines have chiefly unoxidized ore and others have unoxidized remnants in ore that is fairly well oxidized. The best development of relatively unoxidized nonvanadiferous ore is the pitchblende-copper sulfide deposit in which the Happy Jack mine is located at White Canyon, Utah. The ore contains both sooty pitchblende and massive pitchblende that is so pure and of such high specific gravity (9.0) as to justify calling it uraninite. Some of the pitchblende replaces fossil wood and some, in tabular masses, does not show wood structure. It is closely associated with chalcopyrite, pyrite, bornite, chalcocite, sphalerite, and galerz and traces of cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, and silver. The abun dance of secondary uranium sulfates as efflorescences on the mine walls shows the close relation between pitchblende and the sulfides. 15 Part II URANDJM MINERAlS Description of identified minerals The uranium minerals described in the following pages are those from the Colorado Plateaus that the authors have studied" One species, uvanite, exists only in the type specimen in the Uo S, National Museum and no new localities have been found., Classified according to chemical composition the described minerals are~ Uraninite and pitchblende U02 Oxides Becquerelite 2U03 •3H20 Fourmarierite PbU40lS"7H20 Bayleyite Mg2(U02)(COs)sol8H20 Carbonates Schroeckingerite NaCas(U02 )(C03 ) 3 (S04)F•lOH20 Liebigite Ca2U(C03 )4•10H20 (?) RabbHtite Ca3 Mg3 (U02 )2 (00s)s(OH)4•18H20 Uranopilite (U02 )s(S04)(0H)lo'l2H20 Sulfates Johannite Ou(U02 )2 (S04)2 (0H) 2·6H20 Betazippeite (U02 ) 2 (804 ) ( OH) 2 ·~·H 20 Autunite Ca(U02 )2 (P04) 2 •10-l2H20 Meta-autunite 1 Ca(U0 2 ) 2 (P04) 2 ·2~-~2 0 Phosphates Bassetite Fe(U02 )2 (P04) 2 •8H20 Torbernite Cu(U02 )2 (P04)2·8-12H20 Metatorbernite Ou(U02 )2 (P04 )2 •8H20 Phosphuranylite Ca3 (U02 )5 (P04)4 (0H)4•2H20 (?) Metazeunerite Cu(U0 ) (As0 ) ·8H 0 Arsenates 2 2 4 2 2 Nova.cekite Mg(U02 ) 2 (As04 )2 •8-lOH20 Carnotite K2 (U02 )2 (V04)2•l-3H20 Metatyuya.munite Ca(U02 b(V04,)2·6-n (?) H20 Vanadates Tyuyamunite Ca(U02 ) 2 (V04) 2 •n-12 (?) H2 0 Rauvite Ca0_·2UOs•5V205 •16H20 (?)} 1 088 1 lata. Uvanite 2U03 •3V205 ·15H20 (?) c Y re e Uranophane Ca(U02 )2Si207•6H20 Silicates Cuprosklodowskite Cu(U02 )2Si207 ·6H20 16 New mineral of Coffinite, black. mb.eral having X-ray pattern like uncertain formula thorite, Uranium~bearing Organic mater:tal, opal, allophane, limonite, and materials wad .• Additional minerals from the Colorado F.lateaus noted in Atomic .Energy Commissi.on reports are schoepite U08 •2H20, sabugalite HAl(U02 )4(P04 ) •l6H20, sklodmlSkite Mg (U02 ) 2S:i20 7 • ?R20, and beta-u:ranophane Ca. (U02 ) 2Si207 ·6H20. Three new uranium carbonates, swartzite Ca.Mg(U02 ) (C03 )s •l2H20, andersonite Na Ca(U0 ) (COs )s o6H 0 and bayleyi.te we::ce d.e.scribed. from the Hillside mine, 2 2 2 1 Yavapai Con."l:by, Ariz., (Axelrod and. others, 1951). Bayleyite has been fou.D.d. in a second occurrence in a copper-uranium deposit in White Canyon district, Utah (Stern and Weeks, 1952). Sodd.yite (U02 ) 5 (Si03 ) 2 (0H) 6 •3H20, is known to occur also in Yavapai. County, Ariz. (R, Berman, personal communication). Other m:tnerals that may be fo1md in the Pl&.teaus deposits include w.anocircite Several yellow uranium minerals from +.he Plateaus are still unidenti- :fied and some of these are probably new minerals. Vlhen work on these is completed. descriptions of the new minerals will be given in a second edition of this reporto 17 AUTUNII'E Ca(U02)2(P04)2•l0-l2E20 ani J:1ETA.,:J'IUTU:NTl'E I (Meta-·au Crysts.l f;yr3tew.: Tetragonal; d.itetragonal-dip,v.ramida.l. 4/m 2/m 2/m Eabl. L: Thi.n tabular [00.1}. As folia ted. or sroaly aggregates. Co:Lm·: ranges from lemO"- yellow to pale greerr. Streak yellowish. F1-1o:rer.:;c;ence: strong yellow greeno Me"ta~autuni te less strong o Lust.er: vitreous, pearly on f 001} • Clea.vage: j OOJl_pe:>Cfect, flOCJ) i.rrdi.sti.nct. Not brit.t.l.e. Ha"!:'CL"18SS: 2. ... c.~- Spedf:l.. , g:r.·av:Ll:;y: ).1 ·· 3.2, varying with the vm.ter content. S'tl'•juge:J t Hn•3C3 of X .. ,.a,y p::J-w·der pattern: VS 8. 3, S 3. 59, W l. 60 (Mr:;t;s."·.~u.t.LJ."U.te I) n Pleoc:>Jroism X = c 1.553 - ? Colorless to pale yellow y 1.575 - 1.59 '.fellow to dark yellow z 1.577 " 1.61 Yellmr to dark yell::Jw 2V uc.ualJ.y 10=30° _; r > v st;rong Usually anomalously bjaxial negative due to loosely held water in both au:t;un:L te and meta~~autu"ll.te.. I M8Vo.~aut.unit.e .from Thom claim i.s bia:x.i.al n.eg?l""S:ive, 2V small to medium, nY a.r:.d. nZ eq_u3l to 1.603 ± 0.003 Aaa~.yoi.s: Qua. .litati.ve spectrographic analysls of material from Thom clai.m. M9.jor u p Mi. nor Ca Si Fe Trace Al Co Na As Ni Mg Pb Occurrence and associated minerals: Coating :fracture sur:faces of weathered brown sandGtone. Identification: On drying or slight heating a.u:t:uni·f;e passes !•eversibly to meta-autunite I Optical properties are quite variable. Use ~vr.tth caution" X"ray powder pattern. Analysis ft'·'" Cs. DJ:;!C9::..;sa:r.·y to distingui-sh from uranocircite. Locality: Thorn claim, Thompson district. 18 Lvoy;~tal· system: Monociinic, pseudo-orthorhombic Habi.t: Scaly, flattened on t010} • Ph;yo::ical properties~ Color: ye1.1.ovr F1.uorescenee : yellot>r, weak, variable I1:1.B·ter: :pearly C.Leavage: f 010} perfect. (1oo( anrl foog ilisM.net. I:Ia:rdness ~ Spedf:lc g!'avity: ').10 Strongc.c,ct ll:ctes c.f X~ray powder pattern: S 9.~., M 3.1>8, M 2.19 o:~ie~ta'Lion :!!.. (Na) Pleocltroism b [~ 1.56] Fale yellow· X. -· Biaxlal nega.ti;re y 1.574 Dee:p ye llovr 2V ~ 52° z 1\ c <<< ~·00 1.580 Deep yellow· lt29.. lyRis: QUB.litat.ive s_pectrographlc arE.lys:'l.R l'!1Etjo~· u Mtnor P :Na Fe Trace Al K Ba. Si Ca. Cu 0-::cur.ren,_:,e a.:r.ul associated minerals: Seconaary coat1ng on mine wall, near th8 portal. Id.errtifj.cation: :X~ray powd.er patter!!.. Locoall-ty: Den:i.se ]i'o. 1 mi.ne, Green River a.istrict. 19 BAILEYITE B:s.b.l t ~ Minute p-c:l sm3,tic ;:;ry2tal.s" Cc<:;..:)r ~ sulfue ye.ll·C:/t>T FJ..:~<'rc:lC<:'LCf.;e ~ fr::eb.le lu_:- 1-,c.:.tc g vt tre,1u ::-i CJ.t=-'9, '7"3.ge ~ r.:r e.:r d.ru::.: i:J a : ::;: ~, Sp:::r;:tf.ic gravity~ :2~05 .~-:.ror.g0 ,t._, 1.:T:•SS ;".P '! --~t.·ay pc:t,rd_er Pleo(:;hro:tsm () ·~ 1\ c =.lf. 1 )t-55 Pin..kic:h y 1.~90 Pale ye11m•t Biaxial negative z 1:- 1.• 500 Pa:i.1~ yell ow ;~'J .. A:1?J.yc_;;lf:.: s~.:m1g_ug,rrti tsJ::tve s pectrog:"a_p1:_,_1::: ana. lysis, in percent., 0f ll13.te::. ial from Hideou:t m1:Qe, > 10 u J . .,O=lO .Mg Ca ( :l.\:l"GJ) Ool= Idr:;P.t-ifi (~·";J,tion~ Soluble ln ·water, Eff,:_;nresces :L!:l T-iCl, Op·t_.ica1J.y d.:tstinct., Ind:i.ces unusua,U_y low fo~ a uranium ml.n.r-.:rA-1 .. Hid.eout material d.id not dehyd.rat.tS i:::r. .lr3.;b, a:3 Arizona, mate!'ial did. ., Loca.lit.:te.s: H:illsi.de mine, Yavapai County, AT i 3029. 7 -t.:yp(:.: lv~aJ.:Ltyo !!id.eout ('Tiger) mine, White Ca"YCycHJ di3·u·Ict.. 20 BECQUERELITE Cryretal system: Orthorhombic; dipyramida.l 2/m 2/m 2/m Habit: Tabular fool} and elongated. [010] • Also massive. Physical properties: ColL1r: amber to broYmish yellovr" Streak yellow o F'lu.o:r·es cence : Luster: adc"1lllantine, i;~clining to g;:easy, Cleavage: [OOJ:j perfect, also [101} Hardness: 2 - 3 Specific gravtty: :"}o2 Strongest liD.es of' X--ray pm,der patterns: S 7.5, M 3.53, M 3.19 Optical p~operties~ Orientation n Pleochroism X -- c L735 Colorless y -- b L820 Light yellow Biaxial negat.iire z = a 1.830 Dark yellow 2V " 3' 0. :r > v marked. ~ ' Analysis: Q11alita.tive spectrographic analysis of' material f'rom Posey mine., Major u Minor Si Trace Cu Fe Mg Occm:rence and asso;e;i.a.ted. nrl.nera.l.s: Alteration product of pitchblende a.t Ca.to Sells. At Posey in high-grade pocket of' yellow oxidized. ore eTl th cuprosklod.owskite. Identi:fication: Localities: Posey mine, v1hi te Canyon ili.strict Cato Sells mine, Monument Vallsy iU.strict Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley district, B.abit; g A:::~ a err :;,~ C!Ci!:.:.e·r>:?!J.t. mJ./;tr·ocJ::·yatall:i.nr3 agg:r:'ega,;~e:-~, 2 YD.J ms.y De 0.C>T.ps..:!t..:; d1rSL-.\':::mln;q;~_:'3J3 rar'~!.ly as crusts of i.mper:f'ec'f"_jly , f1e.t:t;r:>rr·~i {OCYi} o s.t, Pumpki.n F:u.ttes ora!lge .. X ,..__. -..:: .l 0 :f\T,S>3 ..:t·1_y 1.30.1.c:r·.leao X 1\ 8. ,-.... :Lo925u .A:r.a~1y,:; :: ::.: ~ .Lt·.a::i'tJ'"j UP-:'..::n ... :~D~-s;~·~:i.e A.!:B. 1;yc'l.r::., :Lr.t pe:c·cent, of m.s,+,erfal t;--o-:rm. :.·· ':;,~ Ca?:.S f:._r;-:c Pa.;l;J? M::::rt.b d:iFl t-!'ict (US:\IM 95352) u 'l ]< 0.,1 1 AL Cg, Nt?_, ·Si (J.01 'Q.-..,_·d, S:c· Fe O::~'~urTP.':_:_:::: a.:J.d. a:7i.:10<".:;~at·.•::1d :uxl.:•le:c-:8.l!:l: C:h.:L~fly iliBBPm:i.:n.a.+.ea. in sa.n.azt.o::~.e or !.:'l-..-;;:,lly as s',mall p~;:::>e 21.'3.:)::; ,:;;~;, <:>~::J}Y-?;~2! l.a,:lJ.y a:-:ou.D:t :pet:r:i:F.ie:r1 or earb0:::!.ized. t:~'ee t:rur£.kfl or ot.hE.r veg,:::;-t_.g,1 m.::tt.ter., .A.sc~;c,cia"ted. s.rith tyuyanE!~L:i.t:e, m~t:at,yuyanru.·:J.i te, hewett. its 9 :ra.."'J:i."-:1 -t. 8, 82J j e::~.rv-u.:::l:ite,. ll:t Mc-::J:ument No., 2 :m:t:~J.e, t.:i. th pitchb1end.e., Id.e:o:t"-ifi0.atJ.o:;.: Ca:r.:1-ot.l:te lT?.J,f:i · ::::.0::.-.;'-::'· . .:;f. .r·'·~Yract.1o::J. t-har!. an-,v ot-her yellcYvT ur.a:2ium mi.neralo Ca.r=:::,t .. :l. i-.-•2: :,.'J..:J t.yu;'f8,1111J::\...1. Le tore:. :-:::'EYi=b~·;:YF~ when a dTf;:p of conc:ent.:r·ated. RCl :i.s a.-Jd_e-j.. 'f'Ll;;e:J :::·el:s.. ttvely ear~d.ly-; C?.rnot:tte :ts :i.:'.Xus.i.b :e., lcca.lit:i.es: In mos·t; of the vaTia.::tlu:m~-':J:.:. c;J_.:::_.~:'"'·m aU...:--I:-:~·:, c--f ·t-:t~c: :fol.] ::-Ytv:Lr:g rl~Btrtct:.s 0:1 t.:t:e Colorado Plateaus: T.t:.o-m.p::J·:c_'~·; i.l Cra.. t 8\·1a,y, U:r.·a.va.. n, Pa:ra.. Joz:, :fl1.Jl~L Canyo:u, Gypsum. Valley, Slick Rc<;k, M·::.a):\, l\1'.1!:J.J...~;el1:;,, .Mo:c.·L·~.m.s:_,_-1:; Valle;;·, GT'ar.rt,s, and. t.hr:: Temple .MoD.n ta:Ln pB,.t· l- of Ft.~-~ S::.r~.:. Ha:t)3/'.?: l rJ:i '""=>.J-,}· i.r: t Cl Also a.t PClmpk'.in Bu.tter3, Wyo.,, and. at C:r·a.Ve!_, _, Fa.2~i. R:hk/r" C So Da.k.o 22 COFJTI.!'JITF Cc : : '£1-.:- ic:~ :ret nsaJ.lA,'h_l,::--; mJrLe"t"al occ:u:rs m.txec1 "Tl:~-h <.~(-J ...d -.~.. ~-3"''-~-!l·l -!ll~.t --~- ·-·is·J a:::1..J f ·t~r: -:- b l,;-;:"'·-' k m:Lo.~:r.:x..1 ::; o 0 J~"':u:>·'-rr.:-n.·_j>? 2.::.~ t :~-..'::', :1C ::·.~-'-'~+-:..- i mi..~l.':-'Y·a,;.~; ~ I:rrpr-sg:--~'3.t-.L~1g ~?-9._.-n.dsto:ne a.:12il. replacing '•t;;.r:J·; -•:':'U-l1 u.~-r-:t::.i·.:t.-:--, :q,r-~j s, ].:-;1! ''lalr:;-n:::;e ( , +·4-) '\.ra.n3.dium. oxide Ulf·-1.:.-:::. ·::~:it.-::; .1, ;g_:r_-.i t<:: o F·~Y:.tr.:,l.. Lrr mJ~le!~> 1;q·_i:t.'b ·protec ttve c-')vsr or a.L +t~J(::' :t.:.---.::td,J ,.,_f ·_:*·::<;£' ,'-:;,.r:<,T"'--~:::;. '<-ihr:;t'··: ee<>.-;>.:ion ~as :r-.-::;"'"!en.tl;y or-eo (Cc:ff'.L.rL~-~-P 1tr3,-:; fir·.:~t .fou:::":.J. ::1.~. V~. Sal N-:.-, t? nrl.:ne: ln Augu.r:;,L 195-l by 1'o We s·+,:,2r--::-~ a.r/1 T'o H o -S t.1 P ff 9 l.n J=·r·e:par&.t L0n; ns.med :for .R.. Co Coffi!l.._,) Ar:rc:-;...y.t.!:::;ad rrd.< -.:. Gateway cU.f;t,_, Gray Da\'-!JJ. ml.ne Pa'::'a.d.ox: dJ.s t. B.l.a.ak ~.:1 m.L~l:~ Ga;t, ~way dist .. W5li 8tE.81' mi ''-"' Hull Ca.nyon d.ist. Corvu::·: l + arl.nr:: Gat(~Trra.y cl~st.,. Li.t'f.le Mux ie.l mi.ne Sll.ck Rock dJ.st.,. la Br.z. l ~~r.. " ? :m.i.?:::·:; Gs:t-e·G"acv d:i::~t o Der.Li '?J:: N·:· o .1 m.tue Green RiY•?Y' d.ist o Ga. .._-e·o_.tq,y dl.:~: t. o ·};A::J.:d.y::;es eh-:Jt·! up to 61 pc·::-c:::·~~'- TJ B.:G. .i va.r:vi. .:.:,g E::t.nl)U.c.ts of S:L, A'!.>, and. V, 1 Coffi.nl-t:ra m3.;y b-a ar:.8.1ogous. tc; -:_._s_,--.r. ·~-; '..: .: --l.J, l_,t-::{>, US:i , vd t-h As;; V, OR, etc I> .ll 31i::'s t.I tut;:Lug for Si? or .i:L --rfx::i,y b-:. .:f, •.: ,>J.'.·'·'··· .:;d. oxide, ( Sv.!./S· 1955) 0 23 Crystal system: Orthorhombic Habit; Minute prismatic or acicular crystals. Usually grouped in rad.ia.l clusters, also as thin f:i.lms and botryoidal crusts. Physical properties: Color: pale yellmr green; yellow in thin crystal blades. Fluorescence: Luster: pearly to dull Cleavage: \:100} and [01.0} Hardness: 3 - 4 Spec:i.f:i.c gravity: 3.5 + Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: VS 8.1, S 4.o8, M 6.1 Optlcal properties: Orientation n Pleochro:i.sm X 1.654 Very pale yellowish green y 1.664-1.667 Very pale yellowish green z ;::;: c 1.664-1.667 Pale greenish yellow Biaxial negative 2V sm.."l.ll; r > v s t.rong Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of material from Posey mine. Major U S:L Minor Cu Trace Pb Fe Na Occurrence and associated minerals: As a fracture coating with brocha.nt.ite. In a h:igh-grade pocket as thin green veins in massive becquerel:i.te. Identification: X-ray powder pattern, or spectrographic analysis of a pure sample. LocaHties: Posey mi.ne, White Canyon district Crystal system: Orthorhombic Habit: Tabular {001} ·and usually elongated [01Q] Physical properties: Color: red to golden red; also brown Fluorescence: Luster: adamantine Cleavage: {001} perfect Hardness: 3 - 4 Specific gravity: 6,0 Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: S 3.38, S 3.04, S 1,89 Optical properties: Orientation n Pleochroism X ~ c Colorless y ~ b Pale yellow Biaxial negative Z ~ a Yellow 2V large; r > v strong Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of material from Lucky Strike No. 2 mine Major u Minor Pb Trace Al Mg Si Fe Occurrence and associated minerals: As an alteration product of pitchblende, with beta-zippeite. Identification: Orange-red color and test showing more than ~0 percent Pb. X-ray powder pattern. Localities: Lucky Strike No. 2 mine, San Rafael district Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley district 25 JOHANNITE Cu(U02)2(S04)2(0H)2·6H20 Crystal system; Triclinic; pinacoidal l Habit: Prismatic; as coatings and small spheroidal aggregates of lath-like crystals. Physical properties: Color: clear, light green. Streak pa.ler, Fluorescence: none Luster: vitreous Cleavage: {100} good, Not brittle Hardness: 2 -· 22l Specific gravity: 3.32 Stro21gest lines of X-ray powd.er pattern: S 7 .8, S 6.2, :M 3.88. Optical properties: n Pleochroism X 1.577 Colorless y 1.597 Pale yellow Biaxial positive z 1.616 Greenish yellow 2V ~ 90° r < v strong Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of material from Happy Jack mine. :Major u :Minor Cu Trace Ca A1 :Mg Si Occurrence and associated mi21erals: As ~.vall or fracture coatings wi.th uranopilite, betazippeite, brochanti.te, and c"-alca.nthite, Coating pitchblende, chalcopy-:ri te, and covellit.e, Identification: Color, and tests for Cu and sulfate, X-ray powder pattern. Localities: Happy Jack mine, White Canyon dist:r:;_c,t, Oyler mine, Henry :Mountains itLst;yj.+;, Frey No. 4 mine, vlhite Canyon distr.,ct. 26 LIEBIG I'I'E Crystal system: Ort.horhomb:i.s Habit: Crystals eqpant cr ehort :prlsma.t:tG [001], usually indistinct ,,rit.h round'Od edges o Commonly as granular or scaly aggregates and t:h:i.n crusts; a.l,so botryoidal. Physical :properties: Color: li.g'b:t g:.~een:i ch yRllow .Flv.orescence: b::.lght llght green Lus te~: v:i.t~eouo 9 ;:.;1 i.g.~tly pearly on t,b.e cleavage Cleavage: t"_!-oo} HardQ.PG s : :::~- <~ ~?, Specl.:fic g.t·aVit.:v: '~"4-~i.. St:r·o:-lgPs t l1Ee.:, of X-ra,y po~;-rd.~?.r p:j,t te r .n: s 8o7, s 6.8, s 5.4 Orienta-l: :Lon Y'- FJ..~-::ochro:t.sm X- a 1.497 Ne&.r,ly co1•:tr1ee.s y 1.'502 Pa1e ye llovli:~b gr-een B:taxial :posit.ive Z L5:W Pal<:: ye 1i(Y1rlsh green ;::nr_ v lcoo. , ·r~_ ,..~.~ .,r m:• d e.ra,+ .e .A!'z.alycd.s: Qua.litative spsci rogra.phic a:ca.lysis of material from Pumpldn Buttes Ms.jor u ~~9. M:Ln.:·\':" T:r>ace Al Fe Mg Mn Si Occm-rence and aasoc:ia tea. mine.ra ls : Seco:oilary coating at Pumpkin Bu:tttcs o N,:ted, by D 'Arcy George at Lusk, Wyo o , :perlJB.po, a.c a l wra li":m p:,·oduc:t of uranopbB.ne (George, 1921-9). Identification: Optical propert5"e:o. (Be careL:l ,- -, d:'.c: t,C:ngu:Lsh from bayley:i.te.) Localities: Pumpkin Buttes, ~/yo o Lusk, \fyoo *The valence state of U irr tJ-LLs m,i::t'oC'Jl.l l.s "bei:og ch~,cked (UoSoG.So) 27 Crystal system: Tetragonal (or pseudotetragonal) Habit: Thin tabular {001} • As foliated or scaly aggregates. Physical properties: Color: straw· yellow Fluorescence: pale yellow green Luster: pearly Cleavage: .[ 001} perfect Hardness: 2t Specific gravity: 5.3 Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: VS 10.2, S 5,56, M 5.1 Optical properties: Orientation n X c y l.620-l.625 z 2.620-1.625 Biaxial negative 2V 0 - 15° AP~lysis:. Semiquantitative spectrographic analysis, in percent, of material from Laguna, Grants district. Over 10 U Si l-10 As Al Fe O.l-l Mg Ca 0.01-0.1 Ti Sr Ba Occurrence and associated minerals: Coating on sandstone Identification: Color, fluorescence, and test for arsenate distinguish from all but uranospinite [Ca(U02 ) 2 (As04)a•8-12Hag7 X-ray powder pattern. Localities: Laguna, Grants district. This is the only known occurrence in North America, second in world. (found by T. H. Stern, 1952). 28 Crystal system: Tetragonal or pseud.o·-tetragonal Habit: As earthy or scaly coatings or cru.'3ts ~ a.lso a.s microscopic rectangu.lar plates and laths, Phys:i.ca.l properties: Col.or: deep ye.llow to golden yel.low Fluorescence: Lus·te:r: pearly CJ.eavage: [ O~J} perfect but not easily observed, Ha:t"dness : 2 2: Specl.flc g:rav:i.ty: St:c::r:lgef'+, }:!""''; of X~ray powder pa.tter:c: S 7,9, M 5,83, M 3.92, M.2.88 Optical pr0perties: va:dable n Pleochroism X or E 1.660-1.690 Colo:r·less to pale yellow y L 700--l. 718 Golden yel.loer Z o:r 0 L 701.-l. 718 Go.lil.en yellow Usually biaxial negative 2V usua.ll:v 50 .. 200 ( up to 35°) r :> v e.trong A.:v..alys:i.s ~ Good. a:o.alyf3es lacki!!g due t~ occurrence admlxed with clayo Occurrence and associated minerals: Disseminated. in sa.ndBtone or a~\ cca:t:Lng on fracture o I d.en-tif'ica.tion: X-ray powcler pattern, The opt.iea..l properties aee variable and the mineral is usually too f:i.ne gr·a.i:ned. to exh:ibi't a typical crystal .fo:rmo L()calities : N'orth Point - Gomm.y claim., White Canyon d:i.strict Posey mine, Whi. te Canyon district. Cobalt N'o. 2 mine, Thompsons 'J:l.stri.e t Ca.ctus Rat mine, Thompsons cl.is Ld.c;t. 29 Cryatal system: Monoclinic Habit: Fibrous or :finely acicular, in clusters of mi.croscopic crystals.; elongated [001] • Physical properties: Color: pale greenish yellow Fluorescence: weak Luster: silky Cleavage: \:_001} Hardness: soft Spec:l.fi.c gravity: approx. 2.5 Strongest Hnes of' X-ray powder pattern: S 8,1, M lLl, M 4,37 Optical prope.rties : ------Orientation n X 1.502+0.005 Y=b L5o8+o.oo5 Biaxial positive (? ) 0 Z/\c ~15 L525£0.003 2V large An.alysis: Chemical analysis of' material from Lucky Strike No. 2 mine (in perc.ecrt), Analyst: A. M. Sherwood CaO MgO UOs Total 10.6 9.2 37 .l~ 99.5 Occ:urrence and associated minerals: Efflorescent coating on mine wall neac portal; with gypsum., sphaerocobaltite, bieberite and uranium sulfates, Identi:fi.cation: Habit, optical properties, Locality: Lucky Strike No. 2 mine, San Rafael d:ist:rict, Uth Specimen collected by M. E. 'I;hompson, Named for John C, Rabbitt, Chief Trace Elements Section, U,S,Q,S,, 1947~1953. 1 RATJVITE------ Habit: lAs dense slickensided masses, botryoidal crusts, and. filmy coatings com..li!.only showing shriDJ{age cracks .. Phy:Ji.cal properties: Color: brmmiRh c:·ea. t·::> purplis':t black. Someti.mes dirty orange yellow, f:ltreak yelln•il bro~"t'TJ.g Fluo::.-o:::scence: none Luster: ar:lamantJ:r.J~ to vraxy., Var:iable., Cleavage: none.. Br:L t.tle Ha:rd_~-.'.888: soft SpCJ,;i:f':k gr'l.vl·f.y: 2.92 (for aDJJ.lyzed ma.tE.rial, Monument No. 2 mine) Stcc•cgeccl: lie1.8:3 of X~:r-ay povder patt8rn: VS 10.5, M (broad.) 2.95, M ))t8, M 3 •. 35. m3.nu tely cry:::, +__;a.ll:i.ne Bi.a.xial negative ( ?) n "' L89 .. J..95 A.m. ly:ds ~ Chr-'-fmi -:!a.l. >='.~,:::v:.tly3is, :Ln. percsnt, of material from Monument No .. 2 m.iru~. AD1il-9-51 (A. M. Sherwood, a:o:,g,lyst) CaO Acid insol. total H2 0 Total 1.44 0.61 15.49 100.77 Cc~ur::"en'Ge and associated min-=ral2.: Probably an alteration product of pi+:.chblende anrl. low valence vanadium oxides; a.lEJo possibly of tyuyamtm.ite., Association and. occu.rr'ence as for tyuyamuni.te; no·L a.s common as tyuyamunite. X~ray powder pattern.. Rauv-:lte is very f.ine grained., and extremely variable in physical properties. Loca.lities : Corvu.site mine, Gateway d.i.stri.ct Small Spot mine, Gateway distr:ict Monument No .. 2 mine, Monument Va,l!..~:y diai·,r5..ct Temple Mountain, San Rafael disL:'.c·"t Arrowhead mine, Gateway d.istrict Cactus Rat mine, Thompsons dict:r1e:t 31 Crystal system: Hexagonal ? Habit: As clusters or globular aggregates of scales flattenedLOOOl}, some with a six-sided. outline. Physical properties: Color: greenish yellow Fluorescence: strong, greenish yellow Luster: >reakly vitreous, sometimes pearly on (0001) Cleavage: { O~OiJ perfect Hardness : 2 2 Specifi.c gravity: 2o51 Strongest Unes of .X-ray powder pattern: S 7 .2, M 4. 79, M 2.86 Soluble in water, effervesces in HCl. Optical properties: n 0 l.5~-2 Uniaxial (?) negative E lo489 Usually biaxial with small and variable 2V, 0-25° Analysis: Semiquantitative spectrographic analysis, in percent, of material from Red Desert, Wyoo Over 10 U Ca O.l··l F Na 0.01-0.l Si Al Sr Zn Fe OoOOl-0.0.1 K Ti Mg Ot!cur·rence and associated minerals: In a near surface deposit in clay at McCoy group, Thompsons districto Ars coating en mine wall, with bayleyite, at Hideout mine. As alter at:i.on product of pitchblende at Crabapple claim. _,_dent:tf:icati.on: X-ray po>rder pattern. If coarsely crystalline, six-sio.ed plates distinguish it from the other carbonates. Localities: McCoy group, Thompsons district Crabapple claim, Green River district Hideout (Tiger) mine, vlhite Canyon district .32 TORBERNITE cu(uo2)2(P04)2·8-12H20 and METATORBERNITE Metatorbernite has 8H20 (Metatorbernite probably more abundant in nature than torbernite) Crystal system: Tetragonal; ditetragonal-dipyramidal 4/m 2/m 2/m Habit: Tablets on{OOl} .: often in rosettes or sheaf-like aggregates of lrregularly curved and composite crystals. Physical props.rties~ Color: pale green to dark green Fluoreecence ~ not commonly Luster: vlt:reous to subadamantine; pearly on [ooil Cleavage: 001 perfect. Rather bri.ttle J flardc.e s s : 2 ~ Spe,~ific gr·avity: 3.5 - 3. 7 Torbernite ~ 3.2 Stro:ogc:Gt lines of X-ray powder pattern-Metatorbernite: VS 8.7, VS 3.68, M 4.93, M 3.~9, M 3.35 ,_)pt.ica.l :properties : MetatorberrLi te Torbernite n n D-ichroism 0 1.61.0-1.628 Sky blue in whl.te light E Green Un:Laxial pos:i.t.i ve ( ?) Uniaxial negative Anom. i.nter. colors Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of material from Markey No. 3 mine Major u Minor Cu NaSi P Trace Ca Mg As Fe Occurrence and associated minerals: Crystalline aggregates on sandstone with metazeunerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcanthite, and alunite. IdentificB.tion: Color, crystal form, and absence of arsenic. Localit.y: Markey No. 3 mine, vlhite Canyon district TIFfAMIJNITE Ca(U02 )2(V04 ) 2 .nH20 n = ? -·12 Crystal sy.stem: Orthorhombic Habit: As scales and laths fla~tened £om} and elongated Cioo] ; as radial aggregates. Co~only massive, compact to cryptocrystalline; also pulverQlento / Physical properties: Color: yellow, greenish yellow Fluorescence: none L1JStr:::r: of crystals adamantine, pearly on{ooJ]., massive material waxyo CJ.eavage: {001} per.fect, mi<:aceou.s. ~0101 anct {ioo} distinct. Hax·do.ess : about 2 Speci:fic gravity: 3.62 on .fully hydrated material Strongest 1ines of X-ray powder pattern*: S 9.9, M 4.93, M 3.29, M 3.16 Optical properties~ O.rientatio:n n Pleochroism X -· c 1.57 calc. Nearly colorless y - b 1.805+.002 Pale canary yellow Biaxial negative z ·- a 1.851:t.oo2 Canary yellow 2V 42° r < v The indices i.n.crease on. d.ehydration Analysis: Chemical ang,lysis o.f material .from Small Spot mine, Gateway district. Ana.lyst: R. G. Mi.lkey CaO Total 6.03 100.00 Recalculated. to 100 percent, a.fter H2 0 determination on .fully hydrated. sample o Occu:.':"rence and associated minerals: Di.ssemina.ted. in sandstone. Coating joints and .fractures, with meta t.yuyamunite, carnotite, rauvite, corvusite, and hewettite. At Mesa No. l mine, Shiprock district, 'lri.th melanovanadi te. lientl. .fication: Tyuyamunite and. carnotite can be distinguished. .from other yellow U-minerals by the presence o.f vanadium; they will turn red. brown when a d.rop o.f concentrated. HCl. is touched. to ~he mineral. X-ray powder pattern is usually necessary to distinguish .from carnotite. 'ffi1en coarsely crystalline may be distinguished. optically. Fuses much more easily than carnotite. Localities: Same as .for carnotite, Abundant in Grants a.n.d. Ship:-ock districts, w:i.th little carnotite, *Note: Too vigorous grinding o.f tyuyam:uni te for a powder pattern d.estroys the structure .. MEJ'ATYUYAMUNTTE Ca (U02 ) 2 (V04) 2 •nH2 0 n ~ 6-? Crystal system: Orthorhombic Habit: Same as tyuyamunite Physi~al properties: Color: yellow, greenish yellow Fluorescence: none Luster: adamantine to pearly Cleavage: [ool} perfect, micaceous. {olOJ and [100} distinct. HariL'1ess: about 2 Specific gravity: 3.81 ~ 3.93 3 Strongest l.ines of X~ray powder patterns:. S 8.4, M 4.21, M 3.24, M 3.04 Optical properties: Orientation n X ~ c 1.67 calc. y ~ b 1.835 + 0.002 Biaxial negative z ·- a 1.865 + 0.002 2V = 44° Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic material from Eastside mines, Shiprock district Major u Minor Ca V Trace Si Al Fe Mg Pb Nb Occurrence and associated minerals: Same as for tyuyamuni te. A dehydration product of tyuyamunite, found at or near surface deposits. Identification: X-ray powa.er pattern Localities: Same as for tyuyamunite. Especially abundant near Haystack Mountain a.nd Laguna., Grants districto 35 URI\Jf.INTTE (Pitchblend.e) Ideally U02 (commonly contains U03 ) Crystal system: Isometric; hexoctahedral lf/m 3 2/m (?) Habit: Massive. Commonly replaces cellular structure of wood. Physical properties: Color : black Fluorescence: none Lu.ster: submetallic to pitchlike or greasy, and dull. Cleavage: f'racture uneven to conchoidal. Brittle. Hardness~ 5 - 6 Spec:L:Fic gravity: Uraninite 8-10. Colloform pitchblende <8,5 Strongest lines of X-ray pm Opt.ica:L properties: Usually opaque. Transparent in very thin splinters. Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of pitchblende from Juniper •:!la:lmo · Major u Minor Si Ca Trace V Fe Na Mn Spectrographic analysj.s of uraninite from Happy Jack shows no element except urani.wn over l percent. O:>currence and assoc:l.ated minerals: In unoxidized ore in mines located at the heads of steep canyons or under a protective cover. In vanadiferous ore associated. with coffinite and lm< valence vanadium oxides, montrose ite, doloresite, etc., and alters to rauvite, carnotite and tyuyamunite and rarely to becg_uerelite and uranophane. In non--vanadiferous ores, as at Happy Jack mine, with sulfides of Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, and Ni. Alters to becqu.erelite, fourmarierite, uranopilite, johannite, betazippeite, schroeckingerite and uranophane. Idan:tif:ica tion: Black, heavy, very radioactive, commonly ;rith yellow alteration products, X-ray powder pattern. Ura.ninite (continued): Localities: Morrison.form$tion Grey Dawn mine Paradox district Juniper mine Thompson district Corvusite mine Gateway district :Blue Jay claim Moab district Shinarump conglomerate Camp :Bird No. 13 mine San Rafael district Lucky Strike No. 2 mine San Rafael district Ma.rshbank Canyon mine San Rafael district Pay Day mine San Rafael district Rex No. 2 mine San Rafael district Crabapple claim Green River district Shinarump No. 1 mine Green River district Oyler mine Henry Mountains district Frey No. 4 mine White Canyon district Happy Jack mine White Canyon district Hideout mine White Canyon district Markey No. 3 mine White Canyon district Notch mine White Canyon district White Canyon No. 1 mine White Canyon district Cato Sells mine Monument Valley district Monument No. 2 mine Monument Valley district Skyline mine Monument Valley district Others Haystack Mountain area Grants district Placerville, Colaw Placerville district Huskon No. 2 claim Little Colorado district 37 Crystal system: ~~thorhombic Habit: Minute prismatic in radiated or stellate aggregates, Commonly massive and very finely fibrous, Physical properties: Color: yel.. low, orange yellow, streak paler Fluorescence: none Luster: pearly to greasy Cleavage: flOO) Ha.:ra:ness : 2 .... 3 Spe•3if:!.; gravity: 3.8 - 3.9 Strcmgest Hnes of X-ray powder pattern: S 7.9, S 3.95, M 4,82, M 2,98, M 2.92 Opti.ea.l properties: 0r i.entat:i.on n Pleochroism X~ a l,6lf2- Colorless l.645 Y~b 1,665- Pale canary yellow Biaxial negative 1,667 z '~ c 1.667- Canary yellow 1.670 2V 32°~ ~ < v marked to extreme Analy.sis: Partial chemical analysis by A, M. Sherwood, TWC-1263, material from Lusk, W;yo , !!eO CaO Total l3o02 8.53 99.45 Occurrencs and asso·~iated minerals: Disseminated in sandstone at Pumpkin But:·tes. At Grants coating limestone. At Cato Sells on pitchblende 1dtoh b;"cquerelite. Identification: Ind.ex of refraction and absence of Cu distinguish it from cuprosklodo>T8kite. Localities: Grants district; Cato Sells mine, Monument Valley district. Pumpkin Bu:ttes and Lusk, Wyo. 38 Crys-tal system: Probably monoclinic Habit: As velvety incrustations and globular or reniform masses composed of' microscopic needles or laths elongated [001] and flattened 1010} Phys :i.cal properties: Color: bright yellow Fluorescence: bright yellow green Luster: silky Cleavage: t0l0} perfect Hardness: Specific gravity: 3. 7 - lf.O Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: S 7.1, S 9.1, S 4.23 Optical properties: Orientation n X 1.623 y 1\ c ~ 18° 1.625 z 1.63~- Biaxial positive 2V rather large (Na); 0° for some wavelengths r < v extreme; also r > v Analysi.s: ·Qualitative spectrographic analysis of material from Happy Jack mine Major u Minor T:race Si Ca Co Occurrence and associated minerals: Abundant in Happy Jack mine as wall coatings with johannite and betazippeite. Id.entif'.ication: May be distinguished .from zippeite and betazippeite by optical properties. From johannite by test for Cu. I.ocalities: Happy Jack m.ine, White Canyon district. 39 Crystal system: Probably orthorhombic Habit: As minutely cry,stall:i.ne m.a.sses and coatingso Physical properties: Color: brownish yellmv Fluorescence: none Luster: Cleavage: 2 pinacoidal cleavages Hardness: Specific gravity: Strongest lines of X-ray po•,Ider pattern: S 2.96, Mb 5.9, Mb 5.3, M l.7l Optical properties: n Pleochroism 1.817 Light brown 1.879 Dark brown Biaxial positive 2.057 Greenish yellow Analysis: W. T. Schaller, Analyst CaO UOs Rem .. Total 1.73 39.60 1.69 99.00 Occurrence and associated minerals: Associated with carnotite, rauvite, hewettite, metatorbernite, hya.lite a.nd gypsum in asphaltic sandstone at Temple Mountain, San Ra:fael district. Idsntification: X-ray po-v•der pattern (?). May be related to rauvite as an altA:>:>ation product of tyu.yamunite. Poorly defined mineral. Needs .frtrther work. Locality: Temple Mountain, San Rafael district, Utah. *Data from Dana system, 7th ed., val. 2, p. 1056, except X-ray powder pattern. No new localities foul'J.d. 40 METAZEUNERITE (fully hydrated zeunerite probably rare in nature) Crystal system: Tetragonal; ditetragonal dipyramidal !f/m 2/m 2/m Habit: Tabular {ooi} and resembling torbernite, Physical properties: Color: grass green to emerald green Fluorescence: yellow green Luster: vitreous, pearly on {_001} Cleavage: {. 001} perfect. £100} distinct. Hardness: 2 - 2~ Specific gravity: 3.6 Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: S 8.7, S 3.68, M 5-~-~-, M 4.98 Optical properties: n Dichroism 0 1.6~3~1.651 Grass green E 1.623-1.635 Pale green Uniaxial negative Ind.ices vary with content of zeolitic water. Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of mineral from Markey No. 3 mine. Major u Minor Cu As Si Trace Co Fe Na Ca Pb O;:,cur:~·ence and associated minerals: Coating joints and fracture surfacer;. Identificati.on: Test for Cu and As, with green color, and habit as EHJ.UBc:o'e plates. Loca.llt:l.es: Markey No. 3 mine, White Canyon district Pay Day mine, San Rafael district Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley district P.E'f:I\ZlPPEITE"* C:r·yst9.l system:; M:Jnocll.nic (?) Eabit: Microscopic crystalline agg!."egateE ~ rB2."E:.ly i::l bLad.es or flakes .. Color: orange yellow Fluorescence~ gree;:1 Luste?: ~ o:f aggrega·tJes dull to s:i lk,y Cleavage: probably [010} perfect Ha.:::-dness: 8pecd.:f:ir:: grav:lty~ ~p 3(>2 St:rargest l:i.nes of X=ray ;)~":"J.\~;::rtat1on Pleochroism ·--~---· X~ b 1.630 Nea:.::ly coJ..,:::.rless y 1.689 Pale yellow· to orange yellow z 1\ c ... 4o0 1.739 Pale ye l.lovr to orange yellow 0 :!V large ( 8o ) :I~2dices var:ta.bJ..e Bia.xial nr:;gative:; .A:!-9.lysl.s: Chem:ical analysis of ma;b~rial f'rDm ·oyler mine A~;.a1ys+i: A" M., Sh.r=:r-'1/:r•::-:Hi so~ H20 Total 10.42 .~.1o20 lC0.47 C3(;'U..:'.!"e::.t....:,a az::.,J.. a::~soc],at,ed. mi.:cu:c::"als g In m:I.ru::s as "Wall coa. tings, as joi!lt a.. ::d. f:ea ·.:: Lu:re coat:L:::::.gc-s o Al0m~; rJ:: wlth joha.nV~jiJ-:;, urarropilite 1 o:r pi·+_:{~hl:-~Lende., Ide~~-+.;J.fJ.r.!,':t;t.fon: A sulfate cor.+.s.i:~x:.:rrg ::!D Cu., Mq,y b~ distingulshed. opt~:Lca.lly :from ura,n.o:p:l.liteo D::.stinguJshed. from zi:ppeit.s by X··ray puwd0::; :pattern., Localities g Ea:ppy Jack mine, White Canyon a:Lst:::.~Jc~.. Oyle:r- mine, Henry Mountains district; 1 Lu.ch~ Strike No .. 2 mi.ne, San Rafael distr:I.-:; . Sodaroll claim, Green River d.is·tr:teL ·*This D.aJ.Il.e is tentative because zippe.i.tc: i.s ,:;t.5.. ll pn;:rrly cls.fined. a::d. vie have not proved. this to be a polymo=·ph of z:ippe:Lte, Ts~blelo.-.....,Clpt:t::::?.l 1·-;o·~·'"f':'' Jc.~o:f -u.r~--! ..YLI.~.Lm m.i:<:"!.e:t'alq Un5.s:·~).a..l. "Q:J.~:itJ.ve group Indices and pleochroism SyFJtem an:i nE nO Name and co:m;pos:i.tion habit Cleavage Color Remarks L540 1.520 Andersonite Hexo Ro Bright yellow Effervesces with Pale yellow Colorless Na2Ca(U02)(C03 ) 3 •6H20 minute pseudo green. Flu- HCl cubic crystals oresces bright green ~ L610- Metatorbernite Tet. fool}Perfect Pale to dark l,628 Cu(U02)2(P04)2'8H20 Tablets on green (001}. ~n:tb~Le:l., f -:J.I:'0l..nj:cmi -l!!.:t:x:.:~d.l·--~'C-o::...s.t:i:rtLLBd Un.:la:&::1.F11_:ur..:;JS::,t.iy·e gt'O~J? Indices and pleochroism Sy.--_)te-mand Name a:t:.i.cteourp.:::x:1i tio:a Cle3.YB.g"; ColoE Rem8.2,k!:! nE nO habit 1,489 L542 Schroeckingec:l.te Hex. ? {0001] Green:t.sh"'· Soluble :in H2 0 NaCa3 (U02 ) (CO~c;)s(304 )F• per.fect yellow, e.ffe:rvesces :in HCl lOH20 Fluoresces strong greenish yellm< 1,559 1.574 Sal~eite Tet. foOl} Ye.llow to Colorless Pale green- Mg(U02 )2(P04)2•8-lOH20 tablets perfect lemon yellow on \_oo:i} {olo} , [no} yellow ~ indistinct 1.582 1.592 Torbernite Teto .[o01} Pale to dark Green Sky blue Cu(U02 )2 (P04)2•8-12H20 tablets perfect green on {_001} 1.623- 1.643- Metazeunerite Tet, to011 Grass green 1.635 1,651 cu(U02 )2 (As04) 2 ·8H20 tablets on perfect to emerald Pale green Grass green tOOl} ~?-oo} green distinct L66-L69 1, 701- Phosphuranylite Teto or {.oo1~ Deep yellow Colorless 1,718 cas(uo2ls(P04)4(0H)4' pseudo-tet. perfect; to golden to pale Golden 2H20 not easily yellow yellow yellow observed --·~·~·-~·----,---~~~·-··..~-·-·-~------·---~··------"~~-~-~···~------·-··- ·~ ·----~-~-""""""""~~-~·~-~~--~-.-~~~---······"--~"'' -~······~-~-~----~--~··--"""""~"'""------~--~---~----- Ta-ble 1" m=Opt:i...;a1 pr:f_pc:xt:.l.t>:· :) f' u.ra:n:i.ll.TII.minc;_rals ·"=Continu·-.:;,1 B.La;x:i8.l :P0f\J L:tve _iF'::up ------Indir.es and composition Op f;:i.cal S,vstem nX nY nZ Name and. compos:i.t.:J.on 2V diBp, orientation habJ.t Cleavage Colo:':' 1.497 1.502 1.539 Liebiglte 2V=40° X=a Clrth. [10oj Ligh·t Nearly Pale Pale Ca2U(C03 )4•lOH20 r > v eg_uant greenish colorless yellovTish yellowish moderate or short yellow green green prismatic 1.502 1.508 L525 Rabbittite 2V large Y=b Mono {ooij Pale CasMgs(U02)2(COs)e(OH)4• z 1\ c ,..._.,15° acicular greenish .l8H20 yellow 1.577 1.597 1,616 Johannite 2V rv90° T.ricl. [1oo1 Clear, light Colorless Pale Greenish Cu(U02 )2(S04 )2(0H)2• r < v prismatic good green yellow yellow 6H20 strong 1.623 1.625 1.6?4 Uranopilite 2V large Yl\c=l8° Mon... (? ) {01o} Bright yellow. (U02)e(S04) (OH)lo' for Na; perfect Fluoresces l2H20- 0°-some bright yellow wave- green lengths 1.817 1.879 2.057 Uvanite 2V 52° Orth ... (?) Two Brow·nish Light Dark Greenish 2U03 •3V205•15H20 (f) pina- yellow brown brmm yellow coidal 1.455 1.490 1.500 Bayleyite 2V = 30° X 1\ c = 14° Mon... Sulfur Pinldsh Pale Pale Mg2(U02 )(C0s) 3 •18H20 z = b pr1so yellow yellow yellow· 1.465 1.51 1.540 Swartzite 2V = 40° Mono Green Colorless Yel.LDi< Yellow CaMg(U02 )(C03 ) 3 •12H20 (calc.) r.ris o fluo:resces green -"'"" -17 """"'~'""'-"'""~"'" ""'~~~~-~--~••-•w•••-·-•~----"'~""-"~'"~~ww "" ____ '"~ "''"'"""w'""---" •wwm ""'"'~"~~--~~"~"~'"' ~"~"'"""~·~~~~~'""~"'""~~~~~"'""'~"'""'~~~·~• '"""'~"-'--•~ Table l., ,.. ~Opt i -.:;~1p:r:-opert :Le:-J u f ura.ni u:m.mi:rJ.r..J.r.a..ls .. =:::~Jnt:i:o.ueQ Biaxia.l negative g:ro11p Indices and pleochroism Optical System Name and composi:ti.on 2V disp, Clea.vage Color nX riY nZ orientation habit 1.559 1.570 1.570 Sal~eite 2V ~ 61° Tetro {ool}perfect Yellow, Mg(U02)2(P04)2•8-lOH20 r > v square tOlO}and [no} lemon strong plates indistinct yellow 1.56:!:. 1.574 1.580 Bassetite 2V r-J 52° X ~ b Mon., {OlO}perfect Yellow Pale Deep Deep Fe(U02 )2 (P04 )2•8H20 ZA c ~ 40° pseudo- yellow yellow yellow orth, 1.553 1.575 1.577 Autunite 2V ~ 10°- X = c Tetr, {0011 perfect Lemon Pale Yellow Yell01f Ca(U02 )2(P04)2' 30° square {1.00}indis yellow to yellow 10-12H20 r > v plates tinct pale green, Indices vary with water content strong Fluoresces yellow green strong. 1,603 1.603 Meta-autunite I 2V small X= c Tetr. l:_oo1}perfect Same as Yellow Yellow Ca(U02)2(P04)2•2~-61H20to medium autunite Indices vary with water content 2 2 0 0 1.620- 1.620- Novacekite 2V ~ 0 -15 X ~ c Tetro [001} perfect Stravr yellow, 1.623 1.623 Mg(U02)2 (As04 )2 •8-lOH20 square Fluoresces plates pale yellow greeno 1.654 1.664- 1,664- Cuprosl".J.odm ~~~l :':".l.r::gatbre g~~ou.p Indices and pleochroism O:ptlca.l Sys·t.em Name a.nd composi t:i.o·12 2V d:Ls.p. Cleavage Color n.X nY nZ orientation habit 0 L642- 1.665- 1.667- Ura:o.ophane 2V = 32 X =' a, Orth. flOoj Yellow, L645 1.667 1.670 ca(uo 2 )2Si207 •6H20 r < v y = b, prismo orange Colorless Pale Canary m'l.rked to z = c yellow yellm-r yell.01v extreme 1.650 1.68 1.710 Soddyite 2V near X :=: a~ Orth. foJ.01and Yellow, Colorless Pale Greenish (U02) 5 (Si0s)2(0H)e•3H20 90° y = b, prismg {!.00} ? greenish greenish yellow r > v z = c yellow yellow strong l.66· L67~ 1.68~ Beta-urano:phane 2V = 40°·- x = b Mon. ~OlOja:o.dYellow, L67 L70 L7l Ca(U02)2Si207•6H20 70° acicular goo} yellow Colorless Lemon Lemon r > v perfect green yellow yellow strong 1.630 1.689 1.739 Betazippeite 2V large X=b Mon. (?) {010} Orange Nearly Pale Pale (U02)2(S04)(0H)2•4H20 (80°) Z(\.c perfect yellow colorless yellow to yellow to 4o0 orange orange yellow yellow L690 1.714 1.735 Schoepite UOs•2H02 2V = 89° X == c~ Orth. tOOl} Sulfur to Colorless Lemon Lemon r > v y = b, tabular perfect citron yellow yellm; Z = a {901} yellow L66o L700- L701'" Phosphuranyli te 2V = 5°- X = c Tet. or { 001} Deep yellow· L690 L718 1.718 Cas(U02) 5 (P04)4(0H)4· 20° pReudo-· perfect to golden Colorless Golden C-old.en 2H20 (!') (35°) tet., yellow to pale yellow yellmv r·> v yellow strong ,.. "' ----~--···-·-···-~·~··-·-~·~·····-~~~. ··-·········...•. ····~~ .. ···~···~····..··••· ·--··~· ··~······~---···-- 'Cable 1.,~--.-!pt:L-.:!.-;;,Jpr'-.:p~-·-~t:..i·::,_- -r u.r·artiwn minE:.t'alc:·~-Cont.L;1Ued Bi>?,~2.:-?:l~.C(·:g.::ttlVt-3 g:.::'c:_~up_ -----~------Ind.i ces and pleoch~oism Opt:1.c':1l Sy!3·tem. Netme ai1.d compo:--li t.inn. 2\[ diB:Po Cleavage Color nX nY nZ orier_~.tation.habH -~~~------ 1.57 1,805 1.851 Tyu~ramu:n:Lt.e 2V = 42° X :::: c, Orth .. fool\ :perfect Yellow, ~ Calc. Pale Car>.ary Ca(U02la(V04)2·:~qaor < v y b, \:010} {100} greenish nearly canary yellow n=?·-12 Z = a d5.stinct yellow colorless yellow 1. 735 1.820 1.830 Becquerellte 2V ~ 31° X :::::c, Orth, fool} :perfect Ambex· to Colorless Light Dat'k 2U03 •3Ha0 r > v y = b, tabular also fi-01} bt"owcdsb yellow yellow marked Z = a fOOl} yellow 1.67 1.835 1.865 Meta tyuyamu.nite 2V = 44° X ::::::c, Orth, {001} :perfect Yellow, Calc, Ca(U02 )a(V04 la•nll2 0 y = b, ~OlO}~oo} greenish n=6-? Z = a distinct yellow 1.89·· Rauvite Minutely Yellow, 1.95 Ca0•2U03 ·5V2 05 ·l6H2 0 (?) cr:ystal~ b.roHn.ish line red 1.85 1.92 1.94 Fourmarieri·te 2V large X = c, Ot'th, [oo~per:fect Red to Colorless Pale Yellow PbU4032 • 7El2 0 r > v y = b, tabular golc1en red;~ yellow strong Z = a [oOlj bl"OViU 0 1.750 1.925- 1.950- Carnotite 2V " 4o - Xr-..;c, MOD-o t00~~ pe:cfect Lsmon yellovr, Nearly 2.06 2.08 Ka(UOa)a(VO.,;)a•l-3Ha0 50° Y 1\ a""' 14°, greenish colorless Canary Canal:'y z ; b yello" yellcn·r yello" (orange) Jo- ~ VANADIUM MINERALS Description of identified minerals (uranyl vanadates und.er uranium minerals) Tl:ce vanadium minerals described in the following pages (except the uranyl vanadates descr:i.bed. under uranium minerals) include all those stu.di.ed by the writers and thought to be valid species from the Colorado Pla.f~ea.us, includi.ng one mi.nera.l, fervanite (Hess and Henderson, 1951) for which no new localities have been found.o Classified according to chemical composition the described minerals are: Montroseite VO(OH) or (V,Fe)O(OH) Navahoite Vs05 ·2··5Hs0 Oxides Doloresite probably y1.s and v+4 , hydrated Lu.msdeni te V2 0s • Vs04 •HsO Calciovolborthite (cu,Ca)2 (V04 )(0H) Volborthite Cu.s(V04)s•3Hs0 (?) (Fervanite Fe 4V40le•5H~O) type specimen only Steigerite Al2 (V0 4 ) 2 ·6~s0 Rossi.te CaV2 06 •4H2 0 Vanadates Metarossite CaV2 0s•2H2 0 Pascoite Ca2Vs0l7"11Hs0 Hummerite K2 MgsVloOsa•l6HsO Melanovanadite 2Ca0 • 2V 2 04 • 3V sOs [\HsO) iJ Hewettite CaVsOle•3~9HsO Metahewetti.te CaV6 0le•3-9Hs0 (?) Sodium analogue of hewettite Na2 Vs0ls•3Hs0 Corvusite V2 04 ·6V2 05 •nH2 0 (?) (similar to Ferna.ndinite CaO•V2 04 •5Vs05 •llfllsO) Silicates Roscoelite (Al,V) 2 (AlSis) (K,Na)Ow(OH,F)s Vanadium hydromica Two species ori.gina.lly descr:i.bed :from the Colorado Plateaus, vanoxite (Hess, 1925) and pintadoite (Hess and Schaller, 1914) are omitted.. Tbe name vanoxi te has been used. :for a variety of vanadium minerals. The COJ]1posi t.ion of vanoxite p_ad been calculated from a rock analysis of SELndstone ore from 50 COR\tlJSITE Crystal system: Habit.: M9.sE:i.ve>. Very finely crystalline. Slickensided surfaces appear fibrous .. Physical properties: Color: blue black to greenish black. Heathers brown F.luorescence ~ none Luect el' : variable Cleavage: fractu:r·e conchoidal "EIB~Y'i.i:."'1-SS8: 2-~- - 3 Spe:;if:k gravity: 2.82 (?) S•rongest lines of X~ray powder pattern: VS 12.1, M 3.47, W 1.83, 'iW :~.95 Opti.ca.L ]Oropsrties: Opaque except on thi.n edges; biaxial, 2 indices above 1.90, high birefringence. A.r~8.:Lysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of X-ray spindle of type ma;l:;.eria.l .. Major v Minor Fe Low minor SiAl C":o·rren0e and associated. minerals: Impregnating sandstone and siltstone. Mab Identif:ication.: In hand specimen, black, commonly with blue-black iridescence, and. greenish streak. X-ray powder pattern :resembles that of fernandi.nite. (The co:rvusite for:~:~l:Lnite problem is being investigated, June 1953). Localities: Abundant in mines in Thompsons, Gateway, Uravan, Paradox, Bull Canyon, 1lJl.d Slick Rock d.istricts, in the Temple Mountain part of the San Rafael di.ctrict., and at Monument No. 2 mine j_n Monumen.t Valley district. 51 DOLORESITE ( probably V+s and V+4 , hydrated ) Crys-tal system: Habit: M~ssive, fibrous, radial aggregates, in veinlets Physical properties: Color: nearly black with bronze i:i.nt; bronze in polished section Fluorescence: none Luster: adarnan:t.:ine Cleavage: perfect in one direction :Hardness: Spe,~:Lf.ic grav:l.i:.y: 3 .. 25 StrongeHt lines of X~ray powder pattern: S 4.72, S 2.~-7, M 3.83, M ).l7 Opt.:i.cal JJC'o]Jert.ie:S: opaque Analysis g Oc:,urrc;nce and associated minerals: Occurs with coffinite and lumsdeniteX· at La Sal No. 2 mine and with clausthalite and pitchblende at Corvusite mine. (Doloresite was first found by L. R. Stieff and T. w. Stern ln August .1951. at La Sal No. 2 mlne; named from Dolores Rives; report 1n p~eparation.) Identific:ation: X-ray powder pattern, not as black as montroseite, heavier tha!:. mela~rJ.ovanadi te .. Locali tie:~ : .L9. Sal No .. 2 mine, Gateway district Ui~ez mine, Monticello district Corvusite micte, Gateway district '"A.LUdler new mineral, lumsdenite, was found with doloresite at La Sal No. 2 mine. It is known o;:Uy from the x.-ray powder pattern and. s:'.ngle erystal X-ray photographs taken from a few microscopic crystals. The intensities are consistent with an atomic arrangement that contains elements of the montroseite structure and the rutile-type structure of artificial V02 • It is orthorhombic and i"ts formula is probably V2 03 ·V2 04 •H2 0 (personal communica-tion, H. T. Evans, u.s.G.S.). Named f-rom Lumsden group of mines, in which La Sal No. 2 mine is located, at the head of Lumsden Canyon, Colo. 52 Crystal system: Probably monoclinic Habit: Parallel :fibrous aggregates Physical prope:rties: Color: golden brown Fluorescence: Luster: brill.iant C.leavage: Hardness: Sp,~ci:flc gravity: StrmJgest l:i.nes of X~ray povrder pattern (taken with Fe Ka radiat:i.on): S 8.83, S 6o1J.1~, M 2o92 Optical properties: n X 2.186 + 0.005 y 2.222 + 0.005 Biaxial negative z 2.22~· :f 0.005 2V very small Ao.a.lysis: Chemical analysis of type material from Gypsum Valley o E. P. Henderson, analyst. Fe20a Total 1+1.89 100.00 Reca.lculated after deducting 9.40 percent insol. and 7.34 percent 0<3currence and associated minerals: Cc-at:Lngs and fracture fillings; vri th gypsum, metahevrett:ite, carnot.ite, a-c.d. various black vanaiiium minerals o Identification: Lighter brown color and higher index of refraction than :fibrous hewettit.e. Localities: Polar Mesa, Gateway iiistrict!and in Gypsum Valley iiistricto ·X·All data except X~ray powder pattern from Dana, 7th ed., vol. 2, p. 1049. No new occurrences of this mineral found by vrriterso 53 Crystal system: Monoclinic* Habit: As nodular aggregates and coatings of fibers or microscopic needles; elongated {010} Physical p~~,::)perties: Color: deep red; less vivid on exposure in dry atmosphere Fluorescence: none Lus te:r: silky, adamantine Cleavage: Ha:rd:r:tef:\8 ~ soft Spe,.df':'!.c gra.vi.t.y: 2.55 Strongest J.l:nes of x~ray powder pattern: VS 8.2, M 3.06, M 2.29, M 2.20 ------·O::··:i srrf·,a tion n Pleochroism X 1.77 Light orange yellow y 2.18 Light orange yellow z ~ 'b 2.35-2.4 Dark red Biaxial negative 2V meilium Indices probably vary according to vrater content • .A.Z?B.lysi.s: Chemical analysis of material .from Jo Dandy group. Analyst: A 0 M~ Sh8'!'1.oTOCd Al203 CaO MgO S03 Total 0.13 6.38 1.61 0.01 99.93 Occu.!"rence and. associated minerals: As coatings and fracture fillings; alteration product of less oxidized va:nadi.um minerals--montroseite, corvu.site. Associated with vanadium c:ay, rauvite, steigerit?, navahoite, carnotite, tyuyamunite, etc. Identification: Color except from sodium analogue of hewettite. The nature of the difference, if any, between hewettite and metahe,;ettite is not fully under stood.. The structm:Bsof these minerals are being investigated by W. H. Barnes, National Research Council, Canada. Localities : J o Dandy mine, Bull Canyon district; Opera Box m:i.ne, Bull. Canyon district; Matchless mine, Gateway district; Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley district. +:·Barneo, W. H., and Qu.rashi, M. M., 1952, p. 414. Crystal system: Monoclinic''· Habit: As pulverulent masses composed of' microscopic tablets or laths, and as parallel or radially fibrous to bladed aggregates or coatings; elongated. { 010} Physical. properties : Col.or: deep red; less vivid on exposure in dry atmosphere Fluorescence: none Luster: dull. to somewhat silky Clea.vage: Ha:rCLness: soft Speci:f.!.c grav1.ty: 2.51-2.94, varies with vrater content Strongest l:Lnes of X-ray powder pattern: S 8.1, M 3.08, W 1.80 Optical properties: Orientation n(Li) Pleochroism X 1.70 Light orange yellow y 2.10 Deep red Biaxial negative z ~ b 2.23 Deeper red Indices probably vary 2V 52° calc according to water content. Analysis: Q,ualitative spectrographic analysis of' type material Major v Minor Si CaFe Al Trace K MgNaNbBaPb Occurrence and associated minerals: In highly oxidized ore; same as for hewet·tite. Identifics;t.i.on: Color, except from hewettite, and sodium analogue of ne·,'ettite. U. S. Nat. Mus. type material gives same X-ray pattern as hewettite. L<:Jcality: Yellmr Cat group and Cactus Rat group, Thompsons district. ·X·Barnes, W. H., and Q,urashi, M. M., 1952, p. 411. 55 HUMMER ITE' I:IS.:bi t ~ I!J ~'.":sly crystalline aggregates, or massive o Crystals formed. by evaporation of water solution a!'e elongated. parallel tolOOl} J:r" t'1bulA.!' pa2RUel to { 100}' · CC-- :_(':~: 1-x."igh t orange"' Streak yellow Fl't..i.::Jr·c::::.:~ence g none Lur:rtE:r ~ subada.ll13J:ltine on f:r.esh sul:':face, dulls on exposur·e Q •cc?";,Vag.o: [010} otc.:i foOJ} distinct. Brittle. F8Z'i:::::.-:::-·::~:.', ~ ~~Dou t ;~ :, e.Lf:i' gr&.v2.t.y: 2.55 S·t.~~,.:~g'--! :·t_. J:~.:~J~3 of X=ra.y powder :pattern: VS 8o3, M 9Q7, M 2 .. 76, W 7o5 TI. X 1.171 + 0.003 L812 + 0.003 Bi.axial negative z {\ " .32~' l .8;55 ::;:· 0.003 2V ~-~ .; d.lspe:rElLon st17"ong r >v A=:cdycl . : C'.lmrJ.cal analyE:is of recrystallized ma.ter:ial from North Star mine MgO Total 5.44 99.97 (':::,:; -~- 1J.1T'::>:::--: -~ s.:::f:i a~:·p,ccjat.::::d m~Lnera..lc.: .As vei.n fillings VTi th columnar structure p-~:rpand:i.:3u.la.r t ,, tihe v2in vra.ll (similar to occurrew:!e o:f gypsum 1.n seams) o A'L:-.;,::: a.s gY.\3,t::u.1B:r e_r.·us'ts eoat:i.ng or cement:i.ng sandstone~ in h:igh1y ox.:Ld:ized 0 r--,~, ZC"'Gf: o A,:o,~.;,.\.;.t.eod. with hewettite and vanadium clay • .T.d.e~ttf':-":.c3.Lion~ X=:r·ay powd.er :f:B,tte:cn or spectrographic a113.lysis necessary to d_!_.r-:; tiTigu.·i.Eih from. pasc:oi te., I.o•.:a.1:1:'.tes: J'(, D&'ldy group, BuU Canyon district, North Star mine, Uravan d.:i .. ::t-~·ie:t- 9 Mesa Nv., 1 mine, Shiproock district and Vlhit.ney mine, Uravan dJ..:3tr:i.~;-f,, ·'Fir:o:t ·Jol.l.ect.e:i by Stieff, Stern, and Girhard in 1949 :from the Hummer ·:,cx·ki:ngs cf Jo Dandy group of mines ana. studied by \>leeks, Cisney, ana. Sb,r-,n;o·x;c1 (1950). Named from the first locali-ty. MllLIINOVANADITE 2Ca0 • 2V 2 04, • 3V 2 05 probably contains H2 0'~ Crystal system: Triclinic"' Habit: Velvety, divergent bunches o:f crystals elongated [ooll the prism :faces usually rounded or striated,, Physj,cal properties : Co.lor: black,; streak dsrk reddish brown Fluorescence: none Lmter: almost submetallic Cleavage: {010} perfect. Brittle Harfb:less: 2 .:1.2 Specific gravi.ty: commonly less tll..an 3,0 Strongest lines o:f X-ray powder pattern: VS 8,5, S ~-.21, M 2.99 Optic~l properties: Orier:tation n Pleochroism X Light reddish brown y (\ c Deep reddish brown Biaxial negative z Dark reddish brown 2V mediUlll ArLalys:i.s: Qualitative spectrographic analysis o:f material from Mesa No, 1 m.i.:o.e, Ariz .. Major v Minor Ca Fe Trace SiAl Na Mg Occurrence aJJ.d associated minerals: At. M38a No, 1 mine, coarsely crystalline aggregates in clay with marcasite. At Mesa No, 5 mine, impregnating sandstone, At Juniper mine rosettes on fracture in sandstone, In oxidized. ore associated with tyu;ya;muni te, pascoite, hUll!lllerite, and. rossite, The first occurrence of mela.novanadite in the U, S, was a.t Mesa. No, 1 mine found. by A, Rosenzweig of A.E,C. in 1.951. Identification: Distinguished :from montroseite and. d.oloresite by pleochroism and. specific gra.vity, Localities: Mesa. No. l mine, Shiprock district, Mesa No, 5 mine, Shiprock district, and Juniper mine, Thompsons district. ·>&Barnes, W. H,, a.nd Q,ura.shi, M. M,, 1952, p. 417, 57 MONIROSEITE* VO(OH) or (V,Fe)O(OH) Crystal system: Orthorhombic, di:pyramidal Habit: Microscopic bladed and :prismatic crystals. Also in compact crystalline aggregates. Physical :properties: Color: black; streak black Fluorescence: none Luster: submetallic Cleavage: :perfect :parallel {100} • Brittle Hardness: soft Specific gravity: 4.0 meas. 1;.1 calc. Strongest lines of X-ray powder :pattern: S 4.29, M 2.65, W 3.39 Optical :properties: Opaque (even on thin edges). Ail_alysi.s: Partial chemical analysis of 120 mg of material from Bitter Creek m.ine D FeO Total 8.8 96.6 Occut•rence and associated minerals: Occurs in unoxidized, black, uranium vanadium ore, impregnating sandstone or as relatively :pure masses in sandstone, associated with :pyrite, barite, and coffinite (?). In oxid:ized zone alters to corvusite and hewettite. Identification: X-ray :powder :pattern. Distinguished from doloresite by blacker color and from melanovanadite by greater density and opacity. I.ocalitj.es: Bitter Creek mine, Uravan district; Whitney mine, Uravan district; Matchless mine, Gateway district; Juniper mine, Thompsons district; and Rex No. 2 mine, Temple Mountain :port~on of San Rafael district. *First collected by Stieff, Stern, and Girhard in 1949 from Bitter Creek mine. Preliminary study by ~leeks, Cisney, and Sherwood (1950). Crystal structure study by H. T. Evans in 1952 showed the correct formula to be as given above. Na.med from Montrose County, Colo., where Bitter Creek mine is located. NAVAl:IOTTE Crystal system: Monoclinic (?) Ha.bi t: Fibrous, silky Physical :properties: Color: dark brmm; brown streak Fluorescence~ none Luster: silky Cleavage: Hardness : sof"t Specific gravity: 2. 56 measured Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: VS 12.1, M 10. 7, M 2.91 O:pt:ical properties: Or:lE;nt.ation n Pleochroism X 1.905 + 0.003 Greenish brown y """- 2.02 Light greenish brmm Z :parallel to fiber > 2.02 Dark brown Biaxial negative length A~a.lysJ.s: Of sample from Arizona (AW~ll9-52) A. M. Sherwood., analyst. CaO Total 0.22 100.06 Occu.rre:2ce ana. associated minerals: Fibrous coating in cres'd~t shape above and below pebbles in conglomerate; cross fibers 1/16 to 1/8 inch long filling fractures in sandstone or siltstone; with rauvite, corvusite, and steigerite .. Id.entificat:ion.: Darker brown than hewettite. X-ray powder pattern. Locallt.y: Mou:LUilent No. 2 mine, Arizona, Monument Valley district.. M'i.nei·al named for Navaho Indian Reservation on which the Monument No. 2 mine is located. First sample collected by A. Rosenzweig, A.E.C.,in 1951. Material for chemical analysis and X-ray study collected by A. D. Weeks 1951 and J.952. 59 Crystal system: Triclini.c Habit: As gr-anular crusts, rarely showing minute lath-like crystals wi.th oblique terminati.ons. Pbysleal p:cope:rt:Les:: Col.or: d8.rk red OT'a,nge to yellow· orange Fluo:reseence: :!lone Luster: vitreous to subada.mantine Cleavage: { Ol?) distinct. Fracture conchoidal Rs.. .r·dn,eGs: r..~ 22 Spc<;:l:fi~"~ grav:i.t~v: 1a87 St:r•:Kgr-•:.:t :U.D.es of X~ray powder pattern: VS 8.7, M 7.4, W 9.4, W 4.69 Opti•Jal pro.perties: n Pleochroism X 1.775 + 0.005 Light cadmium yellow Y 1.815 + 0.005 Cadmium yellow· Z 1.825 + 0.005 Orange Biaxial negative Z:V 500 =5 60 .1 crossed- dispersion strong Cptic plane is .1. {010} Analyc::i..•:: , Qualitative spectrogra.phic analysis of mineral from l4esa No. 1 mJ ::,e, Ar:l.z"' Major v Ca Minor Fe Trace Na A.l Mg Si O;;cltrre:cce a:n~i associated m:l.nerals: Coating mine walls and open fractures; in :•xid:!.zed zone; coat:l.ng montrosei.te, melanovanad:ite, and other vanadi.um nrl.~:-:;rals .,. Ide~t;Lflc.'&,t,:ion: X-ra.y powder pattern or spectrographic analysis necessary to d:istingu.i.sh. from h.ummerite. Orange color and solubility i.n water d.is tingu:!.sh. it .from all others. Lor;ali.ties: Mesa No. 1 mine, Shiprock district; Bitter Creek mine, Uravan district; Mill No. l mine, Uravan district; and Corvu.site mine, Gateway district. 6o ROSCOELITE (Al, Vb(AlSi3 ) (K,Na.)0~0 (0H,F) 2 a.nd VANADIUM HYDROMICA* Crystal system: Monoclinic Habit: Massive Physical properties: Color: green, gray, tan, brown Fluorescence: none Luster: pearly Cleavage: basal Hardness: soft Specific gravity: Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: S 10.0, S 3.34, M 4.50, M 2.59 Optical properties: Transparent if finely divided. Birefringent. Analysis: Chemical (Fischer et al., 19!1-7, p. 124). Roscoelite from Placerville, Colo. FeO MgO CaO Rem. Total 1.58 0.83 0.20 o. 75 99.73 Less 0 = F o.o6 (Analyst: V. North) 99.67 Occurrence and associ.ated minerals: Impregnating sandstone and replacing cla.y pellets and stringers. Associated with corvusite, hewettite, carnotite, and tyuyamunite. Identification: Although the X-ray powder pattern distinguishes this pair from other vanadium minerals, commonly it does not distinguish betw·een these two minerals. Also, some "vanadium clay ore" may consist of hydromi.ca with included vanadium oxides. (M. D. Foster, u.s.G.S.) Localities: Districts: Gateway, Placerville, Thompsons, Uravan, Paradox, Bull Canyon, Gypsum Valley, and Slick Rock. *Hydromica contains less potassium and is more hydrated than roscoeli.te. 61 Crystal system: Triclinic Habit: Glassy lumps surrounded by flaky alteration rims of metarossite. Physical properties: Color: yellow Fluorescence: none Luster: vitreous to somewhat pearly G.leavage: [010} good. Brittle. Har Optical properties: O.r:i.entation n Color X 1.710 y 1\ b ,.__, 45° l, 770 Biaxial negative (?) z ,--..- c l, 8~-0 Yellow 2V large; dispersion very strong Analysis : No new analysis. See Dana VII Occurrence and. associated minerals: Secondary coatings and veinlets, in oxid.i.zed zone, with metarossite. USNM samples of rossite described in 1927 have all dehydrated to metarossite. (1950). Identification: Optical properties, color. Readily soluble in hot water. Local:ities : Origimlly descri"bed by Foshag and Hess from an occurrence at Bull Pe:ro Canyon, Slick Rock district, Mesa No. l mine, Shiprock district. 62 METAROSSITE Crystal system: Ha.bg: Soft and friable, platy to flaky masses in veinlets. Physical properties: Color: very light yellow, pale greenish yellow F.luorescence : none Lusl;er: more pearly than rossite Cleavage: Hardness: soft Specific grav:i.ty: Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: S 5.9, S 5.1, M 3.05 Optical properties: n X 1.8~-0 y > 1.85 Biaxial positive z > 1.85 2V large; dispersion strong J.\:a.a.lysis: Q;uali tative spectrographic analysis of material from Buckhorn'' claimo Major v M.i.::1or Ca Trace Al Si Nb Fe Mg Occurrence and associated. nrl.nerals: Same as rossite Identification: Color, optical properties. Readily soluble in hot water. Local:i.t;ies : Buckhorn claim, Slick Rock district Spring Creek, Brushy Basin, Monticello district 50DI!JM ANALOGUE OF HE\iETTITE CJ:ylr;l~: a.eep red,; brovrnish red on e.x:posure Flu-:: n Pleocb.roism X approx. 1.8 Yellow > 2.0 Orange yellow Biaxial negative z b > 2.0 Orange red 2V medium A:,_?.J.y.:::i,_-, ~ Ghe-m:Leal an.a.lysis of material from Cactus Rat incline .. A.:cc--tl.y:J t : A.. M o Sherwood. l ~ ,-"). 4 2'<3 CaO Acid insol. Total 7·7 i j 0 0.12 0.31 99.37 ('"-' Jd.P!it:l._flca;ti0::-.t: By color, except :f'rom hewettite .. By X~ray or s:pectro s:;opic a;0a.lysis from hewetti·te .. Lo.3ah 1 :' •c.:c: The first sample 'WaS collected, by Benjamin Webber from the Th:;mp·o::rLs district, d:uring World War II. The second sample was )::.L.l:c ctfed by J. Stone :Ln July 1952, from Cactus Rat incline, Thompsons d.l.G-t:rtet o 64 STEIGERITE Crystal system: Habit: As canary-yellow pulverulent coatings that are variously composed of cryptocrystalline fibrous material resembling chalcedony, gumlike masses, and occasionally flat plates. Physical properties: Color: canary yellow Fluorescence: none Luster: we:x:y in compact aggregates Cleavage: Hardness: Specif'ic gravity: Strongest lines of X-ray powder pattern: S 10.5, S 12.4, W 5.6 Optical properties: Mean ind.ex 1.710 ±. 0.005 Analysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis of material from Cactus Rat incline. Major v Minor Al Ca Trace U Na Fe Si Occurrence and. associated minerals: At Cactus Rat, coatings on highly weathered. sandstone, with sodium analogue of hew<:)ttite. Identification: Color and lack of radioactivity. Locality: Original locality -- north wall of Gypsum Valley, Gypsum Valley d.istric~t o Cactus Rat incline, Thompsons district; Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Va.l10y district. Crystal system: Monoclinic (?) Habit: As scaly, spongy, or :fibrous crusts and as rosette-like aggre gates; also reticulated. Some as scales with a triangulax or hexagonal outline. Physical properties: Color: clark olive green to green and yelloWish green Fluorescence: none Luster: vitreous to pearly on the cleavage Cleavage: perf'ect :in one direction Harih"less: 3 ~ Specifi.c gravJty: 3.5 - 3.8 Strongest lines of' X-ray powder pattern: S 7.2, M 2.88, M 2.56, M 2.39, M 1.51 Optical propert:ies: n Color X 2.01 Green to y 2.05 green:ish yellow Biaxial positive red z 2.10 :in transm.itted l:Lght. 2V 68° L:i, 83° Na.; r > v inclined Biaxial negat:Lve violet IL"1'11ysis: Qualitative spectrographic analysis on material f'rom Daggett County, Utah Major Cu V Si Minor BaAl Trace Ca Mg Nb Fe Occurrence and associated m.l.nerals: Coating joint and :f'ractlll'e S\ll':f'aces in sandstone, with gypsum. Identif'i.cation: The d.isti.ncti.on between volborth:Lte and calciovolborthite i.s not well established. X-ray powder pattern. Locality: Radium No. 5 mine, Sli.ck Rock district. 66 CALCIOVOLBODTHITE ( Cu, Ca) 2 (V04 ) ( OH) Crystal system: Orthorhombic (?) Habit: As scaly aggregates; also fibrous to dense Physical properties: Color: yellow green, olive green Fluorescence: none Luster: vitreous to pearly on the cleavage Cleavage: perfect in one direction Hardness~ 3 ~ Sp Opti.cal propersies: n Pleochroism X 2.00 Brown y 2.01 Brown z 2.02 Green Biaxial negative 2V large; r > v strong Oce:.Drrence and. associated minerals: Coating on sandstone, with tyuyamunite and conichalcite. Identi:fi.cation: The distinction between calciovolborthite and volborthite ts not well established. X~·ray powder pattern. Localities: R:l.chardson Basin, Moab district. 67 Table 2.~-List of mine names showing county and state Mine or mine group County State Arrowhead mine Mesa Colorado Bitter Creek mine Montrose Colorado Black Mama mine Mesa Colorado Blue Jay claim San Juan Utah Buckhorn claim San Miguel Colorado Cactus Rat group Grand Utah Camp Bird No. 13 mine Emery Utah Cato Sells mine Apache Arizona Cobalt No. 2 mine Grand Utah CorVUBi te mine Grand Utah Crabapple claim San Juan Utah Craven Canyon Fall River South Dakota Denise No, 1 mine Emery Utah Frey No. 4 mine San Juan Utah Gray Dawn mine San Juan Utah Gypsum Valley San Miguel Colorado Happy Jack mine San Juan Utah Haystack Mountain area McKinley New Mexico Hideout (Tiger) mine San Juan Utah Hillside mine Yavapai Arizona Huskon No. 2 claim Coconino Arizona Jo Dandy mine Montrose Colorado Juniper claim Grand Utah Laguna (area) ·valencia New Mexico La Sal No, 2 mine Mesa Colorado Little Muriel San Miguel Colorado Lucky Strike No. 2 mine Emery Utah Lusk Niobrara Wyoming Markey No, 3 mine San Juan Utah Marshbank Canyon mine Emery Uta.h Matchless mi.ne Mesa Colorad.o McCoy group Grand Utah Mesa No, 1 mine Apache Arizona Mesa No. 5 mine Apache Arizona Mill No. 1 mine Montrose Colorado Monument No. 2 mine Apache Arizona 68 Table 2.~-List o:f mine names showing county and state--Continued Mine or mine group County State North Point-Gonway claim San Juan Utah No2:'th StaT mine Montrose Colorado Notch mine San Juan Utah Opera Box mine Montrose Colorado Oyler m:l.ne Wayne Utah Pay DR.y m:!.ne Emery Utah Placerville San Miguel Colorado P0lar Mesa Grand Utah PoBey mi.ne San Juan Utah Pumpk:l.n Buttes Campbell. Wyoming Radl.u:m No. 5 mine San Miguel Colorad.o Hex Noo 2 mine Emery Utah R:Lehardson Basin Grand Utah Sh:i.naxump No. l mine Grand Utah myl.i.ne mlne San Juan Utah Sma.l:l. Spot mine Mesa Colorado Sodaroll cl.ai.m San Juan Utah Spri.r.g CrEek in Brushy Basin San Juan Utah Tem;ple MouDLain Emery Utah Thom clai.m Grand Utah Wh·lte Canyon No. 1 mine San Juan Utah Whltney min.e Montrose Colorad.o Wild. StE-dr m.l.ne Montrose Colorad.o Yellow Ca.t group Grand Utah LITERATURE CITED Axelrod, Jo Mo, Grimaldi, F. 8,, Milton, C., and Murata, K. J., 1951, The uranium minerals from the Hillside mine, Yavapai County, Ariz,: Amo Mineralogist, v. 36, p. l-22. Barnes, w. H., and Qurashi, M. M., 1952, Unit cell and space group data for certain vanadium minerals: Am. Mineralogist, v. 37, p. 407-~-22, Fischer, R. Po, Haff, J, Co, Rominger, Jo F,, 1947, Vanadium deposits near Placerville, San Miguel County, Colo.: Colorado Scio Soco Proco, V, 15, Po ll5-134o Frondel, Jo W., and Fleischer, Michael, 1952, A glossary of uranium- and thorium-bearing minerals: U. So Geol. Survey Circular l94o George, d' Arcy, 191~9, Ui.neralogy of uranium and thorium minerals: RM0-563. Grimaldi, F. S., May, Irving, and Fletcher, MoHo, 1952, U, So Geological Survey fluorimetric methods of uranium analysis: U o S. Geol. Survey C.ireular 199o Hess, F. Lo, 1925, New and known minerals from the Utah-Colorado carnotite region: Uo S, Geolo Survey Bullo 750, Po 63-78o l:!R:se, Fo L., and. He.2derson, Eo Po, 1931, Fervanite, a hydrous ferric vanadate: Amo Mineralogist, v, 16, p, 273-277o Hess, F. Lo, and Schaller, W. To, 1914, Pintadoite and uvanite, two new va.2"tdium minerals from Utah, a preliminary note: Washington A cad., ScL Znur,, Vo 4, p. 576-579, Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, and Fronde1, Clifford, 19~-~~. Dana's system of mineralogy, 7th ed.,, v, 1 and 2, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New Yorko Stern, ToW,, and l{eeks, A. Do, 1952, Second occurrence of bayleyi.te in the Un:i.ted. States: Am. Mineralogist, v. 37, p •. 1058-1060. Stj_~h, J • .'\!"., 1953, Spectrographic identification of mineral grains: U. S, Geol. Survey Circular 234. Weeks, A. Do, Cisney, E. A., and Sherwood, A.M., 1950, Hummerite and montroseite, two new vanadium minerals from Montrose Cou_nty, Colao (abs,): Geolo Soco America Bull., v. 61, p. 1513o UNPUBLISHED REPORTS Shoemaker, E. M., and Luedke, Ro G., 1952, Map of the urs.nium region of the Colors.d.o Pls.teau: Uo So GeoL Survey Trace Elements Inv. Repto 279o Waring, CoL., and Annell, Co So, 1952, A semiquantitative spectrographic method. for the analysis of minerals, rocks, and. ores (II): Uo s. Geol. Survey Trace Elements Inv. Rept. 215o 49 Jo Dandy mine, Colo., after deducting l:i.moni.te. The "type" specimen in the u. S. National Museum came from Wild. Steer mine, Colo., and was not analyzed. X-ray powder patterns of i;h:i.s type specimen are similar to those of corvusite and fernandinite. The black crystals observed. in thin sections (Hess, 1925, p. 65) probably were montroseite. The description of pintadoite is so incomplete that no more of the mineral can be recognized. No X-ray pattern could be obtained from the National Museum sample of pintadoite which appears as a faint green stain on sandstone~ In 1950 when X-ray powder patterns were made for "standards" of all the vanadium minerals, it was found that corvusite (U. s. Nat. Mus. type specimen) and fernandinite (VI. T. Schaller's type specimen) give similar pa.tt.er'"s. The chief difference bet.>reen the minerals seems to be the presence o:f several percent of calcium in fernandinite and little or none ir. corvusite. Another vanadium mineral that may occur on the Plateaus although it has r:.ot been i.d.entified. yet is sincosite CaV2 02 (P04) 2 •5H2 0.