Ardennite-bearing mineral association related to sulfide-free ores with chalcophile metals at Nežilovo, Pelagonian Massif, North Macedonia

Abstract

Among numerous minerals determined at Nežilovo, Pelagonian Massif, North Macedonia, ardennite-(As) has been discovered in two different associations and studied by means of optical microscopy, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. The refractive indices of ardennite-(As) from Nežilovo are α=1.537(2), β=1.579(1) and γ=1.741(1), where γ corresponds to the c direction. The optical axial angle is 2Vx=49(1)∘. EMPA of the investigated samples yields the following empirical formulae: [Mn3.272+Ca0.73]Σ4.00[Al4.18Mg1.24Fe0.29Mn0.193+Zn0.10]Σ6.00(Si4.73Al0.27)Σ5.00(As0.96Si0.03V0.01)Σ1.00O22 [OH5.36(H2O)0.64]Σ6.00 for ardennite-(As) and (K0.95Na0.04Ba0.02)Σ1.01(Al1.44Fe0.303+Mg0.20Mn0.03Ti0.02 Zn0.01)Σ2.00(Si3.21Al0.79O10) (OH1.97O0.03)Σ2.00 for the associated red mica. The unit cell parameters of ardennite-(As) determined by X-ray powder diffraction are a=8.757(2) Å, b=5.836(2) Å, c=18.578(2) Å and V=941.97 Å3. The unit cell parameters of ardennite-(As) were also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and are a=8.760(1) Å, b=5.838(1) Å, c=18.582(2) Å and V=950.30 Å3. Regularities of isomorphism in ardennite-related minerals are discussed. The presence of ardennite-(As) in association with 2M1 and 3T phengite polytypes provides evidence for three separate stages of formation. Conditions at which ardennite-(As) crystallized have been estimated based on compositional features of associated micas.