Two new occurrences of Zn-rich minerals are described from the SM6 lujavrite unit of the Motzfeldt alkaline centre, South Greenland. Zinc and beryllium complexes in the magma gave rise to the formation of interstitial grains of genthelvite (Zn4Be3Si3O12S), identified in samples by strong green cathodoluminescence. It is suggested that subsequent metasomatism leached Be from the genthelvite, giving rise to the formation of associated willemite (Zn2SiO4).

A borosilicate glass, containing 25 wt. % of simulated high-level radioactive waste has been reacted with water at 350°C and 500 bars for 14 and 48 days using large-volume ‘cold-seal’ high-pressure equipment. Under these conditions the glass crystallizes a suite of mineral phases including: albite, NaAlSi3O8; aegirine, NaFeSi2O6; riebeckite, Na2Fe2(Fe,Mg)3Si8O22(OH)2; zektzerite, LiNaZrSi6O15; barium-strontium molybdate, (Ba,Sr)MoO4; stillwellite, (Nd,Ce,La)BSiO5; willemite, Zn2SiO4; smectite; a lithium-sodium borosilicate hydrate; melilite (åkermanite), Ca2MgSi2O7. A description of the morphology of these phases is given, together with a number of chemical analyses. The implications of the incorporation of waste species in these mineral phases to the disposal of high-level radioactive waste is discussed.