What is "manganite"

Manganite \Man"ga*nite\, n.

1. (Min.) One of the oxides of manganese; -- called also gray manganese ore. It occurs in brilliant steel-gray or iron-black crystals, also massive.

2. (Chem.) A compound of manganese dioxide with a metallic oxide; so called as though derived from the hypothetical manganous acid.

n. (context geology English) a dark gray mineral of manganese, MnO(OH), found throughout North America and Europe

n. a black mineral consisting of basic manganese oxide; a source of manganese

Manganite is a mineral. Its composition is manganese oxide- hydroxide, MnO(OH), crystallizing in the monoclinic system (pseudo- orthorhombic). Crystals of manganite are prismatic and deeply striated parallel to their length; they are often grouped together in bundles. The color is dark steel-grey to iron-black, and the luster brilliant and submetallic. The streak is dark reddish-brown. The hardness is 4, and the specific gravity is 4.3. There is a perfect cleavage parallel to the brachypinacoid, and less-perfect cleavage parallel to the prism faces. Twinned crystals are not infrequent.

The mineral contains 89.7% manganese sesquioxide; it dissolves in hydrochloric acid with evolution of chlorine.

• The mineral Manganite of formula MnO(OH)
• Mixed metal oxides containing manganese:
  • With manganese in a +3 oxidation state e.g. NiMnO
  • With manganese in a +4 oxidation state e.g. CaMnO or CaMnO
  • Lanthanum strontium manganite