EVALUATION OF IDENTIFICATION METHODS FOR CHRYSOCOLLA — A Cu-SMECTITE-LIKE HYDROUS SILICATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEAP-LEACHING EXTRACTION OF COPPER

Year, pages: 2001, 111 - 121

Chrysocolla has been characterized by XRD, FTIR, DTA-TG, TEM and EPMA in order to clarify properties of this phase and to identify a suitable routine identification method. Chrysocolla is X-ray amorphous, although in some cases slightly sensitive to EG-treatment. IR spectra indicate a trioctahedral layer-silicate structure, resembling in many features that of trioctahedral smectites. HRTEM images do not show a phyllosilicate-like repetitive layering in accordance with XRD results. The SiO₂/CuO ratio is considered responsible for the degree of crystal ordering achieved. SiO₂/CuO ratio near 1 results in an amorphous phase, while SiO₂/CuO near 1.3 generates more smectite-like characteristics. For routine analyses in mining operations, DTA-TG is considered feasible, once basic mineralization types are known at a site.

Kelm, U., Sanhueza, V., Madejova, J., Sucha, V., Elsass, F. 2001. EVALUATION OF IDENTIFICATION METHODS FOR CHRYSOCOLLA — A Cu-SMECTITE-LIKE HYDROUS SILICATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEAP-LEACHING EXTRACTION OF COPPER. In Geologica Carpathica, vol. 52, no.2, pp. 111-121. 1335-0552.

Kelm, U., Sanhueza, V., Madejova, J., Sucha, V., Elsass, F. (2001). EVALUATION OF IDENTIFICATION METHODS FOR CHRYSOCOLLA — A Cu-SMECTITE-LIKE HYDROUS SILICATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEAP-LEACHING EXTRACTION OF COPPER. Geologica Carpathica, 52(2), 111-121. 1335-0552.