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Heterogenite

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Heterogenite is an important cobalt mineral in the world, mostly found in DR Congo
Heterogenite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		CoO(OH)
IMA symbolHtg
Strunz classification04.FE.20
Dana classification06.01.04.02
Crystal systemTrigonal or Hexagonal
Identification
ColorBlack, reddish, blackish-brown
Cleavage{0001}
Mohs scale hardness4–5
Density4.13 – 4.47, Average = 4.3
Common impuritiesMn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe

Heterogenite is a natural tri-valent cobalt oxyhydroxide mineral. It is the most abundant oxidised cobalt mineral in the Katanga Copperbelt, a region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. About 70% of known heterogenite is located in the DRC.

The name heterogenite came from Greek, "of another kind", as the mineral differs in composition from similar minerals. Its formation is likely related to the weathering of carrollite (CuCo2S4). In nature it is found coexisting with other minerals like smaltite, pharmacosiderite, calcite, linnaeite, sphaerocobaltite, malachite and cuprite.

Composition

Heterogenite has an average grade of 64.1% cobalt, one of the highest rates among cobalt-containing minerals.

Similar to most oxyhydroxides, heterogenite acts as a chemical 'sponge', trapping many trace elements such as Ni, Zn, V, As, Mo, and Pb. Amongst these trace elements is also uranium, whose concentration in the mineral can be as high as a few percent.

Heterogenite contains cobalt in both Co and Co oxidation states.

Occurrence

Heterogenite is formed by the oxidation of cobalt-sulfides and accumulated as residual deposits during a Pliocene weathering event. Many studies highlight that heterogenite was formed in oxidizing conditions under the surface. In several locations, primary sulfides have been oxidised due to surface weathering down to about 100 meters below the surface, which resulted in significant cobalt enrichment and transformation to oxidic ore minerals, such as heterogenite.

Treatment

The preferred concentration technique for treating heterogenite is surface sulfidation followed by flotation. Sulfidation typically requires sodium sulfide (Na2S), ammonium sulfide (NH4)2S), or sodium sulfydrate (NaSH) in order to make heterogenite suitable for collection with sulfydryl-type collectors

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Heterogenite (PDF). Mineral Data Publishing. 2001–2005.
  3. Gunn, Gus, ed. (2014-01-06). Critical Metals Handbook (1 ed.). Wiley. doi:10.1002/9781118755341. ISBN 978-0-470-67171-9.
  4. "Mineral commodity summaries 2021". Mineral Commodity Summaries. 2021. doi:10.3133/mcs2021.
  5. "Heterogenite". mindat.org. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  6. ^ Decrée, Sophie; Pourret, Olivier; Baele, Jean-Marc (2015). "Rare earth element fractionation in heterogenite (CoOOH): implication for cobalt oxidized ore in the Katanga Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo)". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 159: 290–301. doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.10.005. ISSN 0375-6742.
  7. Anthony, J. W., Bideaux, R. A., Bladh, K. W., & Nichols, M. C. (2001). Handbook of mineralogy, mineralogical society of America. Chantilly, VA20151-1110. USA.
  8. De Putter, T., Decrée, S., Banza, C. L. N., & Nemery, B. (2011). Mining the Katanga (DRC) Copperbelt: geological aspects and impacts on public health and the environment–towards a holistic approach. In Mining and the Environment in Africa. Proceedings of the Inaugural Workshop, IGCP/SIDA (No. 594, pp. 14-17).
  9. ^ Shengo, Michel Lutandula; Kime, Meschac-Bill; Mambwe, Matanda Pascal; Nyembo, Trésor Kilwa (2019-11-01). "A review of the beneficiation of copper-cobalt-bearing minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo". Journal of Sustainable Mining. 18 (4): 226–246. doi:10.1016/j.jsm.2019.08.001. ISSN 2300-3960.
  10. Horn, S.; Gunn, A. G.; Petavratzi, E.; Shaw, R. A.; Eilu, P.; Törmänen, T.; Bjerkgård, T.; Sandstad, J. S.; Jonsson, E.; Kountourelis, S.; Wall, F. (2021-03-01). "Cobalt resources in Europe and the potential for new discoveries". Ore Geology Reviews. 130: 103915. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103915. ISSN 0169-1368.
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