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Renierite mineral

Renierite is the mineral species listed by IMA-CNMNC in September 2026 with formula (Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 and renamed status, 2007 s.p. The special-procedure date is not an IMA approval-number identifier. The older Handbook uses the spelling Renierite with an acute accent on the second e and describes a tetragonal, pseudocubic sulfide occurring in germanium-bearing hydrothermal polymetallic deposits, including Kipushi and Tsumeb. Bernstein's 1986 electron-microprobe study supports coupled compositional variation between zincian Cu10ZnGe2Fe4S16 and arsenian Cu11GeAsFe4S16 within renierite; these compositional endmembers are not assigned separate accepted-species records here. Table 3 combines newly measured analyses, earlier literature values and ideal formulas, and Figure 4 distinguishes those origins. Microscopy shows intergrowths with other sulfides, including germanite, rather than identical material identity. This record concerns the mineral, not a bulk copper ore, germanium element or a traded metal. No microbial extraction mechanism, isolated recovery yield, present production or inherited criticality is asserted from these mineralogical observations.

Sources & References

  1. ima_2026_09: IMA-CNMNC. The New IMA List of Minerals, September 2026; definitions on PDF page 1 and Renierite row on PDF page 184.
    https://cnmnc.units.it/files/editor/IMA_Master_List_(2026-09).pdf (accessed 2026-10-12)
  2. handbook_renierite: Handbook of Mineralogy. Renierite (printed with acute accent), version 1, copyright 2001-2005 Mineral Data Publishing; complete one-page entry, especially Crystal Data, Occurrence and Association.
    https://handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/renierite.pdf (accessed 2026-10-12)
  3. bernstein1986: Bernstein LR (1986). Renierite, Cu10ZnGe2Fe4S16-Cu11GeAsFe4S16: a coupled solid solution series. American Mineralogist 71:210-221; occurrence and chemistry methods, Table 3, Figures 1-4, and discussion on pages 219-220.
    https://msaweb.org/AmMin/AM71/AM71_210.pdf (accessed 2026-10-12)

Curation History

Timestamp Curator Action Summary
2026-10-12T02:34:45Z Codex (GPT-6; codex) create Created the distinct mineral identity from the dated IMA authority, Handbook and primary mineralogical evidence; retained source limits without transferring element criticality or microbial feed claims.

Record source: data/records/renierite.yaml