Cuprosklodowskite, Soddyite: Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo
Cuprosklodowskite, Soddyite: Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo
Description
Species: Soddyite, Cuprosklodowskite
Locality: Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo
Size: 6.5 x 3.5 x 3.1 cm. (~100 grams)
Ex. Henri Vandormael Collection
Superb specimen of well-formed needle-like cuprosklodowskite crystals forming a sizable geode-like pocket with some soddyite crystals as well 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. Metastudtite is extremely rare at the Musonoi mine! Measures ~~150,000 CPM on my Ludlum Model 3 Counter with the 44-9 probe. Good crystallized uranium minerals from Musonoi are very hard to come by these days and this is a great specimen with a superb provenance. Harold Moritz photo. Rare!!
