Riotintoite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Riotintoite
View of mine entrance, Apr 2015
La Vendida Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile
La Vendida Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile
Formula:
Al(SO4)(OH) · 3H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.13
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after the type locality, the La Vendida Mine (Rio Tinto Mine), Antofagasta Region, Atacama desert, Chile.
New structure type.
Chemically related to aluminite, felsőbányaite, hydrobasaluminite, jurbanite, mangazeite, meta-aluminite, rostite, schlossmacherite, 'werthemanite', 'winebergite', and zaherite.
Chemically related to aluminite, felsőbányaite, hydrobasaluminite, jurbanite, mangazeite, meta-aluminite, rostite, schlossmacherite, 'werthemanite', 'winebergite', and zaherite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46850
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46850:1
IMA Classification of Riotintoite
Classification of Riotintoite
7.DC.45
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Rio | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Riotintoite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Three good cleavages: {010}, {001}, and {201}.
Three good cleavages: {010}, {001}, and {201}.
Density:
2.13(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.129 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Riotintoite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.513(2) nβ = 1.522(2) nγ = 1.526(2)
2V:
Measured: 62° (1), Calculated: 67°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.013
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Low (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
Weak, r > v.
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ b = 41°; Y ∧ c = 45°; Z ∧ a = 44°.
Chemistry of Riotintoite
Mindat Formula:
Al(SO4)(OH) · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Riotintoite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.600(2) Å, b = 7.450(3) Å, c = 7.671(3) Å
α = 74.785(7)°, β = 86.042(8)°, γ = 75.810(7)°
α = 74.785(7)°, β = 86.042(8)°, γ = 75.810(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.752 : 1 : 1.03
Unit Cell V:
299.4 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Platy to tabular crystals. Forms observed: {010} (the major form), {001}, {100}, {110}, {011}, {120}, {210}, {123}, {123}, {131}, and {131}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.975 Å | (100) |
| 4.459 Å | (40) |
| 4.391 Å | (72) |
| 3.766 Å | (31) |
| 3.695 Å | (29) |
| 3.491 Å | (24) |
| 3.062 Å | (19) |
| 2.552 Å | (26) |
Comments:
La Vendida Mine, Antofagasta, Chile. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Type Occurrence of Riotintoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Platy crystals up to 0.1 × 0.4 × 0.4 mm in size. Crystals occur lining cavities and are intergrown in veins up to several millimeters thick and two or more centimeters across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4774/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral occurring in thin fissures in strongly altered dacitic-andesitic volcanic breccias.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Riotintoite
Other Language Names for Riotintoite
Dutch:Riotintoiet
German:Riotintoit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Riotintoite associated with Eriochalcite | CuCl2 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Riotintoite associated with Vendidaite | Al2(SO4)(OH)3Cl · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DC.05 | Meta-aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.05 | Aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Parabutlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.15 | Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.20 | Xitieshanite | Fe3+(SO4)Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Zincobotryogen | (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)Fe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Chaidamuite | ZnFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.40 | Pauladamsite | Cu4(SeO3)(SO4)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.50 | Thorneite | Pb6(Te6+2O10)(CO3)Cl2(H2O) |
| 7.DC.55 | Vendidaite | Al2(SO4)(OH)3Cl · 6H2O |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
The IR spectrum is unique. Bands of stretching vibrations of BO33–, CO32–, and NO3– (in the range from 1200 to 1600 cm–1) are not present.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Riotintoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46850.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Riotintoite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015 and 2016, CNMNC Newsletter No 29. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (1) 199-205 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.080
Chukanov, Nikita V., Aksenov, Sergey M., Rastsvetaeva, Ramiza K., Kampf, Anthony R., Möhn, Gerhard, Belakovskiy, Dmitriy I., Lorenz, Joachim A. (2016) Riotintoite, Al(SO4)(OH)·3H2O, A New Mineral From La Vendida Copper Mine, Antofagasta Region, Chile. The Canadian Mineralogist, 54 (5) 1293-1305 doi:10.3749/canmin.1500111
Localities for Riotintoite
Showing 1 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
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La Vendida Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile