Manganite

(repeating unit)MnO(OH)IMA symbolMnn^[1]Strunz classification4.FD.15Dana classification06.01.03.01Crystal systemMonoclinicCrystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupP2₁/cUnit cella = 5.3 Å, b = 5.278 Å,
c = 5.307 Å; β = 114.36°; Z = 4IdentificationColorDark steel-gray to black, reddish brown in transmitted light, gray-white with brownish tint, with blood-red internal reflections in reflected lightCrystal habitSlender prismatic crystals, massive to fibrous, pseudo-orthorhombicTwinning{011}Cleavage{010} perfect, {110} and {001} goodFractureUnevenTenacityBrittleMohs scale hardness4LusterSub-metallicStreakReddish brown to nearly blackDiaphaneityOpaque, transparent on thin edgesSpecific gravity4.29–4.34Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)Refractive indexn_α = 2.250(2)
n_β = 2.250(2)
n_γ = 2.530(2)Birefringenceδ = 0.280, Bireflectance: distinct in graysPleochroismFaint2V angleSmallDispersionVery strongReferences^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Manganite is a mineral composed of manganese oxide-hydroxide, MnO(OH), crystallizing in the monoclinic system (pseudo-orthorhombic).^[3] Crystals of manganite are prismatic and deeply striated parallel to their length; they are often grouped together in bundles. The color is dark steel-grey to iron-black, and the luster brilliant and submetallic. The streak is dark reddish brown. The hardness is 4, and the specific gravity is 4.3. There is a perfect cleavage parallel to the brachypinacoid, and less-perfect cleavage parallel to the prism faces. Twinned crystals are not infrequent.

The mineral contains 89.7% manganese sesquioxide; it dissolves in hydrochloric acid with evolution of chlorine.

Occurrence

Manganite occurs with other manganese oxides in deposits formed by circulating meteoric water in the weathering environment in clay deposits and laterites. It forms by low temperature hydrothermal action in veins in association with calcite, barite, and siderite. Often associated with pyrolusite, braunite, hausmannite and goethite.^[3]^[6]

Manganite occurs in specimens exhibiting good crystal form at Ilfeld in the Harz Mountains of Germany,^[7] where the mineral occurs with calcite and barite in veins traversing porphyry. Crystals have also been found at Ilmenau in Thuringia, Neukirch near Sélestat in Alsace (newkirkite), Granam near Towie in Aberdeenshire, and in Upton Pyne near Exeter, UK and Negaunee, Michigan, United States, and in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Good crystals have also been found at Atikokan, Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada. As an ore of manganese it is much less abundant than pyrolusite or psilomelane.

Although described with various other names as early as 1772, the name manganite was first applied in a publication by W. Haidinger in 1827.^[8]

Applications

The mineral was used in prehistoric times as a pigment, by humans, and as a fire starter by Neanderthalers. Manganite is believed to have been used in prehistoric times to start a wood fire. Manganite lowers the combustion temperature of wood from 350 degrees Celsius to 250 degrees Celsius. Manganite powder has been a common find in Neanderthal archaeological sites.^[9]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manganite.

^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
^ Mineralienatlas
^ ^a ^b ^c Handbook of Mineralogy
^ Mindat
^ Webmineral data
^ ^a ^b Klein, Cornelis and Cornelius S. Hurbut, Jr., Manual of Mineralogy, Wiley, 20th ed., 1985, p. 317 ISBN 0-471-80580-7
^ ^a ^b T. P. Moore, Famous Mineral Localities: Ilfeld, Harz Mountains, Thuringia, Germany, The Mineralogical Record, vol. 41, no. 6, 2010.
^ Palache, Charles, Harry Berman and Clifford Frondel, The System of Mineralogy V.1, p. 646, Wiley, 7th ed., 1944
^ Heyes, Peter J.; Anastasakis, Konstantinos; de Jong, Wiebren; van Hoesel, Annelies; Roebroeks, Wil; Soressi, Marie (29 February 2016). "Selection and Use of Manganese Dioxide by Neanderthals". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 22159. Bibcode:2016NatSR...622159H. doi:10.1038/srep22159. PMC 4770591. PMID 26922901.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Manganite". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 571.

Simple	Hausmannite Manganite Manganosite Nsutite Pyrolusite
Mixed	Birnessite Bixbyite Ferrocolumbite Ferrotantalite Galaxite Jacobsite Manganotantalite Psilomelane (calvonigrite) Romanèchite Tantalite Todorokite Umber