Schoepite ps. Rutherfordine, Cuprosklodowskite: Mashamba West mine, Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo

Description

Species: Schoepite ps. Rutherfordine, Cuprosklodowskite

Locality: Mashamba West mine, Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo

Size: 4.2 x 2.1 x 1.8 cm. (~34 grams)

Ex. Henri Vandormael Collection

Very nice, rich specimen of well-formed yellow schoepite after rutherfordine crystals with minor cuprosklodowskite from the famous Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, DR Congo. This is a great specimen for this rare uranium species, from the noted collection of Henri Vandormael, former mine geologist at the Musonoi mine and other Congolese mines for the Union Miniere Haut Katanga (UMHK) company in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. This was later in the collection of noted uranium mineral specialist Eric Quinter. Good crystallized uranium minerals from Musonoi are very hard to come by these days and this is a great specimen with a superb provenance. Very nice specimen for these species!