Lithiophorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lithiophorite
Formula:
(Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2
Colour:
Blue to black
Lustre:
Metallic, Dull
Hardness:
3
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for LITHIum and the Greek phoros, for 'to bear'.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2419
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2419:4
IMA Classification of Lithiophorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Al,Li)(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2(OH)2
Classification of Lithiophorite
4.FE.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
6.4.1.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous
7.2.1
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
2 : Oxides of the alkali metals
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
2 : Oxides of the alkali metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lpr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Lpr | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Lithiophorite
Metallic, Dull
Colour:
Blue to black
Streak:
Dark grey to black
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect
Perfect
Chemistry of Lithiophorite
Mindat Formula:
(Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| MnO2 | 79.72 % |
| MnO | 10.68 % |
| Fe2O3 | 0.17 % |
| Al2O3 | 0.53 % |
| CaO | 0.26 % |
| MgO | 0.08 % |
| K2O | 3.38 % |
| Na2O | 0.84 % |
| Li2O | 0.48 % |
| CoO | 0.12 % |
| CuO | 0.08 % |
| SiO2 | 0.13 % |
| H2O | 3.76 % |
| Total: | 100.23 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salmchâteau, Vielsalm, Luxembourg, Wallonia, Belgium | According to Mélon et al. (1976), the analysed material may be a mixture of cryptomelane and lithiophorite due to the relatively high K2O content. |
Crystallography of Lithiophorite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 2.92 Å, c = 28.16 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 9.644
Unit Cell V:
207.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Twinning:
Sector twinning observed in six-sided plates by Villiers and van der Walt (1945).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001641 | Lithiophorite | Post J E, Appleman D E (1994) Crystal structure refinement of lithiophorite American Mineralogist 79 370-374 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.428 Å | (68) |
| 4.714 Å | (100) |
| 3.143 Å | (7) |
| 2.371 Å | (24) |
| 1.880 Å | (14) |
| 1.453 Å | (4) |
| 1.447 Å | (4) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Type Occurrence of Lithiophorite
Synonyms of Lithiophorite
Other Language Names for Lithiophorite
Dutch:Lithiophoriet
German:Lithiophorit
Allophytin
Oakit
Allophytin
Oakit
Russian:Литиофорит
Simplified Chinese:锂硬锰矿
Spanish:Litioforita
Lithiophorita
Oakita
Lithiophorita
Oakita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Cryptomelane | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 7 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 6 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Florencite-(Ce) | CeAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Limonite | |
| 2 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Todorokite | (Na,Ca,K,Ba,Sr)1-x(Mn,Mg,Al)6O12 · 3-4H2O |
| 2 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 2 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 2 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Reynoldsite | Pb2Mn4+2O5(CrO4) |
| 2 photos of Lithiophorite associated with Coronadite | Pb(Mn4+6Mn3+2)O16 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FE. | Nannoniite | Al2(OH)5F |
| 4.FE.05 | Brucite | Mg(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Theophrastite | Ni(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Amakinite | Fe2+(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Portlandite | Ca(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.10 | Doyleite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Bayerite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.15 | Lepidocrocite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.15 | Böhmite | AlO(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Grimaldiite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FE.25 | Feitknechtite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.30 | Quenselite | PbMnO2(OH) |
| 4.FE.35 | Ferrihydrite | Fe3+10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.40 | Vernadite | (Mn4+,Fe3+,Ca,Na)(O,OH)2 · nH2O |
| 4.FE.40 | Feroxyhyte | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.45 | Quetzalcoatlite | Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y |
| 4.FE.50 | Fuettererite | Pb3Cu2+6Te6+O6(OH)7Cl5 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Lithiophorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2419.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Lithiophorite
Reference List:
De Villiers, J. E., van der Walt, C. F. J. (1945) Lithiophorite from the Postmasburg manganese deposits. American Mineralogist, 30 (9-10). 629-634
Wadsley, A. D. (1952) The structure of lithiophorite, (Al, Li)MnO2(OH)2. Acta Crystallographica, 5 (5) 676-680 doi:10.1107/s0365110x52001842
Dasgupta, D. R. (1968) Oriented transformation of lithiophorite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 126 (5) 330-338 doi:10.1524/zkri.1968.126.5-6.330
Ostwald, J. (1984) Two varieties of lithiophorite in some Australian deposits. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (348) 383-388 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.348.08
Chukhrov, F. V., Gorshkov, A. I., Sivtsov, A. V., Berezovskaya, V. V. (1985) THE NATURE AND GENESIS OF LITHIOPHORITE. International Geology Review, 27 (3) 348-361 doi:10.1080/00206818509466422
Post, Jeffrey E., Appleman, Daniel E. (1994) Crystal structure refinement of lithiophorite. American Mineralogist, 79 (3-4) 370-374
Bernardini, Simone, Ventura, Giancarlo Della, Sodo, Armida, Benites, Mariana, Jovane, Luigi, Hein, James R., Lucci, Federico (2023) Micro-Raman mapping of critical metals (Li, Co, Ni) in a rhythmically laminated deep-ocean ferromanganese deposit. Geochemistry, 126014 doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2023.126014
Localities for Lithiophorite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2016) |
| 51 (2) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Colin Merriman Collection |
| ENGLAND et al. (1988) |
| Ostwald (1981) |
| Scott (1987) |
| Taylor et al. (2008) |
| V. Peisley & P. Elliott in prep |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Ryan Eagle et al. (2018) |
| Bussat (1980) |
| Bussat (1980) |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| P. Sutton (2007) | |
| Museum Victoria |
| Nickel et al. (1977) |
| The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (1977) |
| Jones et al. (2013) | |
| Dunkan +4 other references |
| Putzolu et al. (2018) |
| Le Gleuher M. (2008) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2012) |
| Bernhard (2007) |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Gustine (2002) +2 other references |
| Gustine (2002) +1 other reference |
| |
| Mélon et al. (1976) +2 other references |
| Hatert et al. (2002) | |
| Fransolet (1979) +2 other references | |
| Dillen (1988) | |
| Fransolet (1979) +1 other reference | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Laspeyres (1876) +3 other references | |
| Blondieau (2005) | |
| Delphine Bruyère et al (2003) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2020) |
| acd.ufrj.br (2002) |
| Kay Robertson collection # 11512 ... +1 other reference |
| Cassedanne et al. (1999) |
| Waber (1991) |
| Dunn et al. (1978) |
| de Oliveira Carmo et al. (2006) |
| Proceedings 30th Intl Geol Cong Vol 16 ... |
| Dybowska et al. (2022) |
| Dani et al. (2001) |
Burkina Faso | |
| Hénocque et al. (1998) |
Canada | |
| P.B. Tomascak et al. (1994) |
Chile | |
| González-Jiménez et al. (2023) |
China | |
| Guilin Institute of Metallurgical Geology et al. (1976) |
| Guilin Institute of Metallurgical Geology et al. (1976) | |
| Bin Yu (2005) |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) | |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) |
| Liangkai Gu (1986) +1 other reference |
| Dairong Yan et al. (2006) |
| Yinsheng Lang et al. (2007) |
| Yinsheng Lang et al. (2007) |
| Yinsheng Lang et al. (2007) | |
| Guilin Institute of Metallurgical Geology et al. (1976) | |
| Guilin Institute of Metallurgical Geology et al. (1976) | |
| Yinsheng Lang et al. (2007) | |
| Yinsheng Lang et al. (2007) | |
| www.chinamining.org (2008) |
| Zhao +1 other reference |
| Yuanfang Xiao (1980) |
Cuba | |
| Domènech et al. (2014) |
| Marsh | |
Czech Republic | |
| Hyršl J. Korbel P. Tschechien & ... |
| Dadák | |
| Černý P. et al. (2015) | |
| Dadák |
| Vrtiška et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Matýsek D. (Outer Western Carpathians) |
| Matýsek et al. (2014) |
| Vrtiška L. et al. (2013) |
Dominican Republic | |
| Domènech et al. (2022) |
DR Congo | |
| Van Wambeke (1971) |
France | |
| Chollet Pascal Collection +2 other references |
| Berger et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Teitler et al. (2022) |
| Berger et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Dublet et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| P. Picot |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
| Berbain et al. (2005) |
Gabon | |
| Lheur (2001) |
Germany | |
| Erik Hock |
| Lorenz (2003) |
| https://www.mineralienatlas.de/?l=4860 |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Lapis (7/8) |
| Andritzky (1963) |
| Collection of Volker Betz +1 other reference |
| Möhn et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Johannes Markus Henrich +2 other references |
| 58. +1 other reference |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Frenzel (1871) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
| Frenzel (1871) |
| A. Frenzel: "Lithiophorit et al. (1870) |
| A. Weisbach (1880) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Burisch et al. (2021) |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Witzke et al. (2001) |
Ghana | |
| Mücke et al. (1999) |
Greece | |
| Pantó et al. (2001) |
| Laskou et al. (2007) |
Hungary | |
| www.mineral.hermuz.hu (n.d.) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll-Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Geoda - Journal of the Hungarian ... |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll & Jánosi (1996) |
| Koch (1985) |
India | |
| Sivaprakash (1980) |
| Sivaprakash (1981) | |
| Rao et al. (1979) |
| Acharya et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Analysed 2021 with EDX and Raman as ... +2 other references |
| Orlandi et al. (1980) +3 other references |
| Orlandi et al. (1980) +2 other references |
Japan | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| National Science Museum (Tokyo) | |
| Nambu et al (1979) |
| - (n.d.) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Am.Min.79 (1994) |
Kuwait | |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Kvamsdal (2023) |
Philippines | |
| Watanabe +5 other references |
Poland | |
| Paulo A. 1970: Minerały niklu i bizmutu w żyłach kruszcowych okolicy Chełmca (Góry Kaczawskie, Dolny Śląsk) |
| Kowalski et al. (1982) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD & pXRF data (paper in preparation) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD & pXRF data (paper in preparation) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD & pXRF data (paper in preparation) |
Portugal | |
| Self-find by Nuno Afonso +1 other reference |
| |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (2020) |
| Igor Savin's data |
| Silyanov et al. (2021) |
| Filimonova et al. (2010) |
| Pekov (2000) |
| Pekov (2000) | |
| Sharkov (2009) |
| V.V. Seredin data |
| Kasatkin et al. (2021) |
South Africa | |
| Gutzmer (1996) |
| Gutzmer (1996) | |
| Gutzmer (1996) | |
| Gutzmer (1996) | |
| Gutzmer (1996) +1 other reference |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Gutzmer (1996) | |
| Gutzmer (1996) | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Gutzmer (1996) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Jorge (2000) +1 other reference |
| A. Crespo & R. Lunar (1997) |
| Calvo (2009) |
| Rosell-Riba et al. (2022) |
| Carlos J. Rodríguez |
| Calvo (2009) |
Uganda | |
| Gallagher (1967) |
| Gallagher (1967) | |
UK | |
| Day (1999) |
| Briscoe et al. (2008) |
| Nicholson (1989) |
| Wilson et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
| National Museum of Wales database |
Ukraine | |
| Chukhrov F.V. et al. (1987) |
| Kowalski et al. (1983) |
USA | |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Cook et al. (1982) | |
| Cook et al. (1982) | |
| Cook et al. (1982) | |
| Dean (1995) |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| - (1989) +1 other reference |
| Mouat (1962) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Mouat (1962) +1 other reference | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Howard (1987) |
| Howard (2007) | |
| Smith (1988) |
| Min News (1988) |
| Howard (2007) | |
| Arkansas Geological Survey | |
| Howard (1987) +1 other reference | |
| Milton et al. (1971) +2 other references |
| Tony Kampf |
| |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) | |
| - (2005) |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History ... | |
| Cook (1978) | |
| Cook (1978) |
| Schlanger (1964) |
| Falster et al. (2019) |
| Gail Dunning Collection |
| NBMG Bull 77 Geology and Mineral ... |
| CONF-910435-37 +3 other references | |
| NMBMMR New Mexico Mineral symposium (2002) |
| Hanahan (1985) |
| Pavich M J et al. (1980) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| - (2005) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| - (2005) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Venezuela | |
| Domènech et al. (2022) |
| Franco Urbani (2009) |
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Rengersdorf, Kodersdorf, Görlitz District, Saxony, Germany