Uroxite
Uroxite is an oxalate mineral first discovered as part of the Carbon Mineral Challenge. It is the first discovered uranium-containing organic mineral.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Uroxite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the organic mineral class, with the chemical formula [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c). It is a member of the Oxalate structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 4.187; Very pale yellow streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Urx, IMA status: approved, named in 2018.
Occurs as post-mining, secondary efflorescent crusts on asphaltum-quartz matrix of mine walls. Hosted in deposits of the Colorado Plateau type with uranium mineralization in intimate association with carbonaceous plant material.
It is found associated with Feynmanite, gypsum (Burro mine); abernathyite, gypsum, tyuyamunite, uranopilite (Markey mine). Distribution From the Burro mine, Slick Rock district.
Identifies a mineral with essential uranyl (UR) and oxalate (OX) components.