Uranospathite & Sabugalite - Prov. Salamanca, Spain

(Al,◻)(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂F · 20(H₂O,F)              HAl(UO₂)₄(PO₄)₄ · 16H₂O

Uranospathite and Sabugalite - Province of Salamanca, Spain

The Province of Salamanca in Spain is a well-documented location for uranium minerals due to the region's history of uranium mining and its unique geological formations. Two notable secondary uranium minerals, Uranospathite and Sabugalite, have been identified here. Below is an overview of these minerals and their occurrence in Salamanca.

Uranospathite

General Information

• Chemical Formula: $(Al(H_{2}O)3)(U{O}_2)(P{O}_4)2\cdot 8H_{2}O$
• Mineral Class: Phosphate
• Crystal System: Monoclinic
• Color: Yellow to greenish-yellow
• Luster: Vitreous
• Transparency: Transparent to translucent
• Habit: Usually found as crusts or aggregates of small crystals.

Occurrence

• Uranospathite is a rare uranium phosphate mineral that forms in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits.
• It often appears as secondary encrustations in sedimentary or granitic uranium-bearing formations.
• In Salamanca, it is associated with the region's uranium-rich geological environment, including granitic pegmatites and altered sedimentary deposits.

Associated Minerals

• Frequently occurs with autunite, meta-autunite, torbernite, and other secondary uranium phosphates.

Sabugalite

General Information

• Chemical Formula: $HAl(U{O}_2)(P{O}_4)2\cdot 16H_{2}O$
• Mineral Class: Phosphate
• Crystal System: Triclinic
• Color: Pale yellow to bright yellow
• Luster: Dull to vitreous
• Transparency: Transparent to translucent
• Habit: Found as thin crusts, coatings, or fine-grained aggregates.

Occurrence

• Sabugalite is another secondary uranium phosphate mineral commonly formed in oxidized zones.
• In Salamanca, it is often associated with uranium-rich sedimentary rocks and the alteration of primary uranium minerals such as uraninite.
• This mineral is closely related to uranospathite in composition but has distinct structural and hydration characteristics.

Associated Minerals

• Typically occurs with uraninite, torbernite, and other uranium secondary minerals.

Geological Context in Salamanca

• Salamanca has a significant history of uranium mining, with deposits occurring in sedimentary rocks, including sandstones, and granitic terrains.
• The oxidized zones of these deposits provide the perfect environment for the formation of secondary uranium minerals like uranospathite and sabugalite.
• These minerals are often found as coatings or crusts along fractures and joints in the host rocks.

Approx. specimen size: 50mm x 35mm x 20mm

Approx specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP