SALÉEITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Uranyl phosphates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 10H2O
    Rarity : Uncommon

Saléeite is a hydrated phosphate of uranium and magnesium found in the oxidation zone of hydrothermal uranium deposits, uranium-bearing polymetallic deposits and uranium pegmatites. It was named in honor of Achille Salée, Professor of Geology at the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium). Saléeite occurs as square to rectangular lamellar crystals of up to 3 cm, commonly grouped in subparallel aggregates or porous masses, yellow to green-yellow in color. Intergrowths of saléeite and torbernite are known.

Main photo : Saléeite de la Mine de la Commanderie, Deux-Sèvres, France © Jean-Marc Johannet

Saléeite from Ranger Mine, Kakadu, Australia © Chris Stefano
Saléeite from Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo © Rock Currier
Saléeite from Christa Mine, Bavaria, Germany © Joerg Mandler
Saléeite on torbernite from Cunha Baixa Mine, Portugal © Roberto Bracco

Saléeite in the World

The best crystals of saleite measure 2 cm and come from the uranium deposits of the Jabiru region (Australia), and Shinkolobwe (Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo), whose specimens are considered the most beautiful in the world. Saleite is common in the slightly uraniferous pegmatites of the Sabugal district (Portugal), which has provided 8 mm crystals, and of Galileia (Brazil). It is not rare in the oxidation zone of the weakly uraniferous polymetallic veins of English Cornwall (Saint-Just, Illogan...). Saleite is also known in the uranium deposits of South Dakota, notably in the uraniferous carnotite sandstones of the Gull mine, and in the uraniferous lignites of Cave Hills and Slim Butte.

Saléeite in France

In France, saléeite is known in the Plessis uranium index (Vendée) associated with autunite and limonite. It is also reported at the Bel Air mine and the Commanderie mine (Deux-Sèvres) as well as at Rabejac and Mas d'Alary (Hérault).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2 to 3
Density : 3.27
Fracture : Micaceous
Streak : White-yellow

TP : Opaque to transparent
RI : 1.554 to 1.585
Birefringence : 0.017
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : Lemon yellow

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Very strong

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