Heterogenite
Heterogenite
Heterogenite is an important cobalt mineral in the world, mostly found in DR Congo
Heterogenite is a natural tri-valent cobalt oxyhydroxide mineral.[2] It is the most abundant oxidised cobalt mineral in the Katanga Copperbelt, a region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[3] About 70% of known heterogenite is located in the DRC.[4]
The name heterogenite came from Greek, "of another kind", as the mineral differs in composition from similar minerals.[5] Its formation is likely related to the weathering of carrollite (CuCo2S4).[6] In nature it is found coexisting with other minerals like smaltite, pharmacosiderite, calcite, linnaeite, sphaerocobaltite, malachite and cuprite.[2]