Ferrowodginite is a mineral that belongs to the wolframite group. It is an uncommon mineral composed mainly of iron, manganese, and tungsten. The name "ferrowodginite" is derived from the Latin word "ferrum" meaning iron and the surname of the American mineralogist Harold Leslie "Wodgy" Wodgina. It was first discovered in 1972 at the Baraboo District in Wisconsin, United States.
Ferrowodginite typically occurs as prismatic crystals with a dark brown to black color. It has a hardness of about 5-6 on the Mohs scale, which means it is relatively durable. This mineral is often found in association with other tungsten-bearing minerals, such as scheelite and wolframite.
From a chemical perspective, ferrowodginite is a complex oxide mineral composed predominantly of iron, manganese, and tungsten. Its precise chemical formula is Fe2+2Mn22+W6+O6(OH). Due to its composition, ferrowodginite is considered an important source of tungsten, a critical metal widely used in various industrial applications.
In terms of its uses, ferrowodginite has limited commercial significance. However, due to its high tungsten content, it is sometimes exploited as an ore of tungsten. The metal extracted from ferrowodginite can be utilized in the production of alloy steels, cemented carbides, and electrical and electronic devices, among other applications.
Overall, ferrowodginite is a relatively rare mineral with a complex chemical composition, mainly comprising iron, manganese, and tungsten. Its occurrence is generally associated with other tungsten-bearing minerals, and it possesses some economic importance as a source of
