Villamanínite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Villamanínite |
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Villamanínite. Providencia mine, Cármenes, León (Spain)
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| General | |
| Category | Sulfide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) |
(Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2 |
| Strunz classification | 2.EB.05a |
| Identification | |
| Color | Iron-black |
| Crystal habit | Octahedric crystals, massive |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Fracture | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Specific gravity | 4.5 |
| Optical properties | Opaque |
Villamanínite is a special kind of mineral. It is mainly made of copper and sulfur, with small amounts of other elements. Scientists first found this interesting mineral in Spain in 1920. It belongs to a group of minerals called sulfides.
Contents
Discovering Villamanínite
How it Got its Name
Villamanínite was found in 1920. Researchers from England were studying copper minerals from a place called the Providencia mine. This mine is in a town called Cármenes in Spain.
The English scientists named the new mineral Villamanínite. They thought the mine was in a different town called Villamanín. That town was actually where the mined rock was loaded onto trains to be sent away. So, the mineral got its name by a small mix-up!
Where Villamanínite is Found
Villamanínite is found in the Providencia mine in two main ways. Sometimes it appears as small, rough crystals. These crystals can be shaped like cubes or have eight sides (octahedral). They are usually smaller than 1 millimeter. Other times, it looks like small, round lumps that are made of tiny fibers. These lumps can be up to 1 centimeter wide.
This mineral is often found in a type of rock called dolomite. It is usually mixed with other sulfide minerals. Some of these include bravoite, linnaeite, bornite, tetrahedrite, and pyrite.
The Providencia Mine Story
The Providencia mine is located about 2.3 kilometers west of a town called Villanueva de Pontedo. Mining at this site first started between 1906 and 1914. The work stopped because there were problems with processing the mined rock.
In 1920, the mine reopened. Samples of the rock were sent to London to figure out the best way to process them. It was in these samples that Villamanínite was discovered as a brand new mineral! The mine continued to operate with some breaks until 1963.
Villamanínite Around the World
Even though Villamanínite has been reported in about a dozen other places around the world, the Providencia mine is still very special. It is the only place where you can find samples of Villamanínite that are big enough to see easily with your eyes.
See also
In Spanish: Villamaninita para niños
