Salesite Locality: Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama , El Loa Province , Antofagasta Region , Chile ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 5.4 x 3.4 x 1.8 cm. Salesite is a very rare copper iodate found worldwide at only two mines in Chile. This impressive specimen, from the famous Co-Type Locality, has rich coverage on both sides of large for the species, lustrous, prismatic crystals to 3 mm. The striking bluish-green color is impressive against the porphry matrix. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Salesite
Salesite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the iodate class, with the chemical formula Cu(IO₃)(OH).
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnma).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 4.77; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Sls, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1939.
A rare mineral found in the oxidized zone of a copper porphyry deposit.
It is found associated with Kaolin, quartz.
The mineral was named to honor Reno H. Sales (1876–1969), Chief Geologist of the Anaconda Company, responsible for initial development of the mine at Chuquicamata, Chile.