Sunday, January 23, 2005

Pyrolusite

Common manganese mineral, manganese dioxide (MnO2), that constitutes an important ore. Always formed under highly oxidizing conditions, it forms light-gray to black, metallic, moderately heavy coatings, crusts, or fibres that are alteration products of other manganese ores (e.g., rhodochrosite); bog, lake, or shallow marine products; or deposits left by circulating waters.