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Formula: NiSb5+2(OH)12.6H2O
Hydroxide, bottinoite group, nickel and
antimony bearing mineral
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 2.83 measured, 2.81 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Streak: Very light blue
Colour: Pale blue to pale blue-green
Environments
Bottinoite occurs adjacent to and incrusting ullmannite in oxidised
hydrothermal base-metal deposits (Mindat, Webmin, HOM).
Associated minerals include ullmannite,
galena, sphalerite,
chalcopyrite, pyrite,
quartz, calcite,
bindheimite, cerussite,
hydrozincite, chrysocolla,
malachite, hemimorphite,
pyromorphite and wulfenite
(HOM).
Localities
At the type locality, the Bottino mine, Stazzema, Lucca Province, Tuscany, Italy, bottinoite occurs in an
oxidised hydrothermal base-metal deposit (Mindat) on fractures in
schist
associated with calcite, siderite,
quartz, pyrite and
chalcopyrite, perched on
ullmannite
crystals (Dana, AM 77.1301-1304). The bottinoite has apparently been formed by the alteration of
ullmannite
(AM 77.1301-1304)
At the Bon Accord Ni deposit, Barberton, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality,
Mpumalanga, South Africa, tredouxite occurs closely associated
with trevorite in a
nickel-rich hydroxysilicate (likely
willemseite) matrix, and it probably formed at temperatures
around 600°C, by impregnation of pervasive H2O-rich fluids, forming
secondary hydrated minerals like bottinoite,
with which it is commonly intergrown. Most single crystals of
tredouxite tested were an intergrowth of
tredouxite and weakly diffractive bottinoite
(AM 103.2044).
At Brownley Hill mine, Alston Moor, Cumbria, England, UK, bottinoite has been found on
galena associated with cerussite,
sulphur, quartz,
ullmannite and dolomite. It is
likely
that the bottinoite formed by the oxidation of ullmannite
(Minrec 31.3.243-244).
At Hendrefelin mine, Ysbyty Ystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK, bottinoite has been found as well-developed sprays
within cavities in highly altered ullmannite -
chalcopyrite - galena bearing
vein quartz
(MW).
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