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Byron Anderson
Joined: 26 Jan 2013
Posts: 32
Location: Shingle Springs
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 Posted: Mar 28, 2020 18:12 Post subject: Torbernite from Musonoi DR Congo? |
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Hello Mineral Experts
From my box of mystery minerals I present to you all what I think is a typical Torbernite from the Musonoi Mine in DR Congo. Are there other possible locations I need to consider for this specimen? Also, should I label this as Meta-Torbernite or is Torbernite ok? At what point does the parent mineral change enough to be classified with the prefix (specific to this mineral - I know it can differ for individual mineral species)?
I have photographed at various distances and lighting conditions. Let me know if additional photographs and / or close ups would be useful.
Funny note - I didn't realize how dirty this specimen had become until I viewed the photos! Needless to say the specimen got a bath. What a difference a little clean up makes....
| Mineral: | Torbernite |
| Locality: | | Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Kolwezi District, Lualaba, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) |  |
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| Dimensions: | 4.5x4.4x0.6cm |
| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
11404 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Torbernite |
| Locality: | | Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Kolwezi District, Lualaba, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) | |
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| Dimensions: | 4.5x4.4x0.6cm |
| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
11423 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Torbernite |
| Locality: | | Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Kolwezi District, Lualaba, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) | |
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| Dimensions: | 4.5x4.4x0.6cm |
| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
11427 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Torbernite |
| Locality: | | Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Kolwezi District, Lualaba, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) | |
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| Dimensions: | 4.5x4.4x0.6cm |
| Description: |
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| Viewed: |
11396 Time(s) |
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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4235
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Mar 29, 2020 05:38 Post subject: Re: Torbernite from Musonoi DR Congo? |
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| Byron Anderson wrote: | | Are there other possible locations I need to consider for this specimen? |
Hi Byron, I think this looks like a typical torbernite from Musonoi Mine, even the matrix should fit. Don't know if torbernite or metatorbernite (maybe only an analysis could confirm), but Musonoi should be correct anyway.
Regards
Tobi
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wendellwilson
Joined: 15 Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Location: Tucson
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| Posted: Mar 29, 2020 12:50 Post subject: Re: Torbernite from Musonoi DR Congo? |
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| If it's bright green and transparent then it's metatorbernite that crystallized originally as metatorbernite. Had it formed as torbernite it would have dehydrated years ago to become metatorbernite, and in the process would have turned milky green and opaque.
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Peter Lemkin
Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Posts: 403
Location: Prague
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| Posted: Mar 29, 2020 14:15 Post subject: Re: Torbernite from Musonoi DR Congo? |
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| Take care with that specimen. It is radioactive, and likely fairly to highly so..... There are threads on how to handle radioactive minerals if you are not aware of how.
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Byron Anderson
Joined: 26 Jan 2013
Posts: 32
Location: Shingle Springs
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| Posted: Mar 29, 2020 20:01 Post subject: Re: Torbernite from Musonoi DR Congo? |
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Tobi - Thank you for the location confirmation.
Wendell - Thank you for the meta-explanation.
Peter - Thank you for the reminder on how to handle Torbernite. I carried the specimen from its storage to the photo-shoot in a separate container and only handled it during set up for the pictures. Washed my hands immediately afterward.
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Peter Lemkin
Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Posts: 403
Location: Prague
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| Posted: Mar 30, 2020 00:04 Post subject: Re: Torbernite from Musonoi DR Congo? |
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| Byron Anderson wrote: | Tobi - Thank you for the location confirmation.
Wendell - Thank you for the meta-explanation.
Peter - Thank you for the reminder on how to handle Torbernite. I carried the specimen from its storage to the photo-shoot in a separate container and only handled it during set up for the pictures. Washed my hands immediately afterward. |
Handling is not usually the problem...the problem with radioactives comes in with longterm display and storage, as they evolve radioactive Radon, which effects the lungs and increases the chances of lung cancer. While the risks are not great, the more radioactives you have, the more radioactive they are, the air flow and even what floor they are on [Radon is heavier than air], etc. et al.......will change the relative risks. Air exchange to the outdoors is the best way to handle it. If you have just the one radioactive, I'd seal it in a sealed container and only open it outdoors to let out the Radon. It is all a mater of relative risk, and everyone has a different take and sensibility on that..... I studied the well-known [in the scientific community, and unknown to the public] synergistic effect of different carcinogens. One example: smokers have a risk of Y times normal for lung cancer; and those exposed to lots of Radon have a Z times higher risk of lung cancer - but someone who smokes and is exposed to Radon has not an additive, but a multiplicative [I believe it is in the region of 10-20x] increased chance of lung cancer. Our 'modern' environment is SO full of carcinogens, we all have many synergistic effects [or one big one] occuring. Modern furniture, cabinets and carpets evolve carcinogenic gasses, for example. I could go on, but wil not. Someone will not post how I'm overstating the risks. My message: treat radioactives with respect, not fear.
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