Five clay deposits in Foumban, west Cameroon, were studied for their morphological, mineralogical and geochemical properties to determine their suitability for ceramics. The clays were examined with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Field studies showed that a homogeneous clayey layer occurs at the upper part of the laterite cover of the interfluves, while the valleys are occupied by a clayey heterogeneous hydromorphic material. The clays are composed of kaolinite, illite, smectite and chlorite, associated with quartz, K-feldspars, plagioclase, goethite, traces of rutile and hematite. Geochemical analyses of these samples show a relatively large amount of SiO2 (45–71%), Al2O3 (14–31%) and relatively little Fe2O3 (up to 11%), suggesting weathering of mainly granitic and rhyolitic parent rocks. The majority of these clays may be used in the production of structural ceramics such as bricks (refractory or not) and tiles. The relatively high proportion of the alkalis (K2O + Na2O; 6–8%) in some samples from Marom and Njindare areas might be responsible for the low firing temperatures. The abundance of smectite limits the application of some Koutaba and Marom clays for structural ceramics, while the high Fe2O3 contents (>8%) in some Bangourain clays indicate that some pre-treatment might be necessary prior to use.

Omongwaite, Na2Ca5(SO4)6.3H2O, is a new mineral, found as inclusions in gypsum crystals in recent salt lake deposits at Omongwa pan, Namibia. It is monoclinic, with space group C2, a = 12.08(3) A, b = 6.96(1) Å, c = 6.39(2) Å, B = 90.2(3)°, V= 537(2) Å3, and Z = 1. The six strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [dobs. (Å), (I/I° meas), (hkl)] are: 6.028, (40), (110); 3.484, (29), (310); 3.019, (51), (400); 3.014, (100), (220); 2.824, (34), (1̄12); and 2.820, (65), (112). Electron microprobe analysis, recalculated on the basis of 3H2O per formula unit (p.f.u.), gave 56.16 wt.% SO3, 30.82 wt.% CaO, 5.25 wt.% Na2O, 3.21 wt.% K2O, 6.25 wt.% H2O, totalling 101.69 wt.%. The empirical formula, based on 24 anhydrous oxygens p.f.u., is (Na1.47K0.59)Σ;=2.06Ca4.76S6.07O24.3H2O, yielding Na2Ca5(-SO4)6.3H2O as the end-member formula. Na/K ratios are variable, with an average of ∼2.5. The crystals are elongated, with pseudohexagonal transversal cross-sections and with sphenoidal terminations that are commonly developed at one end. The crystal structure of omongwaite is similar to that of bassanite, CaSO4.0.5H2O. Published studies of the synthetic phase show that it can be described as a bassanite structure in which one out of six Ca2+ ions are replaced by Na+ and a second Na+ ion occupies a position near those sites. The crystals are parallel to the [001] axis of the gypsum crystals in which they occur as inclusions. The mineral formed by topotactic replacement during interaction of gypsum with concentrated solutions. It is preserved where the affected surface became covered by gypsum by rapid growth shortly after the formation of omongwaite. The mineral is named after the locality where it was found.

The new mineral canutite (IMA2013-070), NaMn3[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2, was found at two different locations at the Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with anhydrite, halite, lavendulan, magnesiokoritnigite, pyrite, quartz and scorodite. Canutite is reddish brown in colour. It forms as prisms elongated on [20] and exhibiting the forms {010}, {100}, {10}, {201} and {102}, or as tablets flattened on {102} and exhibiting the forms {102} and {110}. Crystals are transparent with a vitreous lustre. The mineral has a pale tan streak, Mohs hardness of 2½, brittle tenacity, splintery fracture and two perfect cleavages, on {010} and {101}. The calculated density is 4.112 g cm−3. Optically, canutite is biaxial (+) with α = 1.712(3), β = 1.725(3) and γ = 1.756(3) (measured in white light). The measured 2V is 65.6(4)°, the dispersion is r < v (slight), the optical orientation is Z = b; X ^ a = 18° in obtuse β and pleochroism is imperceptible. The mineral is slowly soluble in cold, dilute HCl. The empirical formula (for tabular crystals from near the mineshaft), determined from electron - microprobe analyses, is (Na1.05Mn2.64Mg0.34Cu0.14Co0.03)∑4.20As3O12H1.62. Canutite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 12.3282(4), b = 12.6039(5), c = 6.8814(5) Å, β = 113.480(8)°, V = 980.72(10) Å3 and Z = 4. The eight strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.33(34)(020), 4.12(26)(21), 3.608(29)(310,31), 3.296(57)(12), 3.150(28)(002,131), 2.819(42)(400,041,330), 2.740(100)(240,02,112) and 1.5364(31)(multiple). The structure, refined to R1 = 2.33% for 1089 Fo > 4σF reflections, shows canutite to be isostructural with protonated members of the alluaudite group.