New Minerals Discovered in European Journal of Mineralogy

The 2026 volume of the European Journal of Mineralogy presents three notable contributions.

First, Mahmoud Alkhatib, Nabil Thabteh, Fuad Al‑Rimawi, and Mutaz Qutob describe a quantitative analysis of synthetic aragonite‑group carbonate mixtures using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‑FTIR) spectroscopy. They developed calibration curves based on absorbance ratios between peaks to quantify strontianite and witherite within aragonite mixtures, reducing measurement variability. This technique requires no sample preparation and offers a rapid alternative to X‑ray diffraction for characterizing aragonite carbonates ¹.

Second, Thomas Daniel van Gerve, Philippe Muchez, Ted Nuorivaara, and Olivier Namus report on exsolution textures in Fe–Ti oxide minerals from vanadium ores of the Bushveld Complex. Their work shows that certain microscopic textures tightly intergrow minerals and hinder separation, while others form coarser structures that improve processing by magnetic and flotation methods—critical information for optimizing vanadium extraction strategies ¹.

Third, Cristian Biagioni, Jiří Sejkora, and Zdeněk Dolníček introduce Belmonteite, CaMn₂(AsO₄)₂(H₂O)₅·2H₂O, a new arsenate mineral found in Mn ore deposits of eastern Liguria, Italy. The crystal structure features {010} layers of six‑fold coordinated Mn atoms decorated on both sides by (AsO₄) groups and Ca atoms, connected through hydrogen bonds; its genesis is linked to As‑rich oxidizing fluids circulating within the deposit. The name honors Donato Belmonte for his contributions to Ligurian mineralogy ¹.