Minerals discovered in Poland – a review

Abstract

Abstract Among nearly 6,000 minerals approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), 34 have been discovered on Polish territory. The article describes the history of these discoveries and the procedure for submitting and approving new minerals. It is noted that the vast majority of the new species found in Poland were described by or in cooperation with Polish mineralogists. Three minerals from the list were described in the 19th century, and seven in the 20th century, while most discoveries took place as early as the 21st century. This is a result of (i) the new equipment acquired by the Polish research units enabling accurate structural and chemical studies of minerals, and (ii) fruitful cooperation between mineralogists from Polish and foreign research centers. This is a very labour-intensive and time-consuming process that is not always successful. It is clear that the discoveries of new minerals are important not only for sciences but also for the economy. They provide information on the mineral-forming processes and are the source of valuable elements (e.g. Nb, Ta - nioboholtite, żabińskiite; Tl- thalliomelane and Sc- scandio-winchite, heflikite) that are often critical in modern industries.