I am one of several members of Bay Area Mineralogists (baymin.org) located in Northern California who have some familiarity with studies done in the past regarding melanophlogite and the localities where it occurs in Northern California.  I suggest you contact my friend Ted Hadley, another amateur mineralogist, who has been involved in extensive studies of the mineralogy of the Clear Creek Mine in San Benito County, California (his mineral namesake is "tedhadleyite").  Ted may be able to give you some insight as to work done in the past on melanophlogite by now deceased BAM members Gail Dunning and Fen Cooper.   I have worked with Ted on a few projects over the years and I am certain he can at least fill you in on some of the details of the other work done prior.  You can reach him by sending a private message from Mindat member list or you can contact me on private message.

Daniel Evanich

Bay Area Mineralogists