Otavite Locality: Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb , Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia ( Locality at mindat.org ) Picture width 3 mm. Collection and photograph Christian Rewitzer. Microprobed ! — Photo: Christian Rewitzer · CC BY-SA 3.0
Otavite
A rare cadmium carbonate — trigonal scalenohedral crystals and crusts, named for Namibia's Otavi district.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Otavite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Cd(CO₃).
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3c). It is a member of the Calcite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5–4; specific gravity 4.96; Vitreous to adamantine luster.
IMA symbol Ota, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1906.
A rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal base-metal deposits.
It is found associated with Smithsonite, cerussite, hydrozincite, hemimorphite, azurite, malachite, rosasite, olivenite, pyromorphite, calcite, fluorite.
The name refers to the Otavi district, Namibia, within which lies Tsumeb, the discovery locality.