Copper has a bewildering range of ore minerals, and soon we may add a new mineral to the list.
Geologists at Cornwall's Bodmin Institute discovered the magnificent specimen below while exploring the abandoned 19th century Wheal Snipe copper mine near Bodmin.
The specimen appears to be a form of psuedo malachite but its exact composition has not as yet been ascertained. It is also not known to what extent this mineral occurs in the workings.
As with all new mineral finds, naming the mineral is one of the priorities. It has been suggested that it be named after the Director of the Institute, Dr. Richard Head, which would be appropriate, but the geologists are open to suggestions, so maybe blog readers can assist?
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Hi, I can see where this is "heading".
ReplyDeleteChris Pickles
Bullshitorite?
ReplyDeleteIs it the joke of 1st April?
ReplyDeleteRao,T.C.
This is one of the masterpieces of the Terra Mineralia collection in Freiberg, which I invite every mineral lover to visit! ... Join our EMerald master program if you dream to spend four semesters in Europe (incl. Freiberg)
ReplyDeleteHi Eric, hope you don't mind us borrowing the photo for our annual update on the exploits of the Bodmin Institute. Amanda took the photo when she visited the very impressive museum in Freiberg during the IBS conference
DeleteWonderfull find! I propose we name it after my late Dutch professor in minerallogy prof. Dik de Kok
ReplyDeleteJan Brugman
A very good suggestion Jan, but I think it should be named in honour of the Director of the Bodmin Institute. Richard Head was born in Falmouth (USA not Cornwall), so maybe falusite?
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