Abstract
Abstract. New IMA CNMNC guidelines were established for minerals crystallizing on burning coal dumps. These phases are now acceptable as minerals, if it can be proven that the fire responsible for the formation of these phases is the result of natural events. In that case, these substances have to be treated as normal new mineral species, and their complete characterization has to be submitted to the CNMNC via the new mineral proposal form. The authors are specifically asked, however, to give strong arguments in the proposal clearly demonstrating the non-anthropogenic origin of the burning process.
Highlights
In the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) procedures and guidelines on mineral nomenclature, Nickel and Grice (1998) state that substances formed by combustion are not generally regarded as minerals
Burning coal dumps, located near collieries all around the world, are the source for many combustion products, which are not regarded as mineral species by the current CNMNC guidelines
Combustion products are of an artificial nature, and they should not be regarded as valid mineral species
Summary
In the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) procedures and guidelines on mineral nomenclature, Nickel and Grice (1998) state that substances formed by combustion are not generally regarded as minerals. A contentious issue is the occurrence of substances in the combustion products of coal mines, waste dumps or peat bogs. It has been decided that, as a general rule, products of combustion are not to be considered as minerals in the future. The application of these simple and rather arbitrary guidelines in practice creates many doubts and difficulties. In order to avoid constructing artificial obstacles to the development of mineralogical studies, these guidelines are discussed below, and new recommendations are established, in agreement with the CNMNC (approved nomenclature proposal IMA 16F)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
