Copper pyrite is also called copper yellow ore. Let's analyze the features of this chemical compound, identify its origin, presence in nature.
Origin of the name
Copper pyrite owes its name to the Greek word "chalkos", meaning copper, and also "pyros" - fire. This mineral is often referred to as chalcopyrite. Its main component of practical importance is copper pyrite.
Features of the chemical composition
This compound contains two metals: iron and copper. There is also sulfur. The formula for copper pyrite is CuFeS2. The mineral consists of 34.57% copper (by mass), 30.54% iron, and 34.9% sulfur. When conducting a chemical analysis, impurities of silver, gold, selenium, and tellurium were detected in its composition. The compound has a tetragonal structure in which copper and iron alternate around sulfur.
Copper pyrites in nature can be found in druse voids. The color of the mineral is golden yellow, brass yellow, there is a greenish tint, there is a metallic sheen. Hardness is characterized by a range of 3-4, the mineral is opaque, the density is estimated at 4, 2.
Chemical properties
Copper pyrite excellentdissolves in concentrated nitric acid, as a result of the interaction, sulfur is released. It does not dissolve in hydrochloric (hydrochloric) acid. Insignificant etching in potassium cyanide and nitric acid in polished sections is typical. Structural features can be revealed by steam etching of a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids. Copper pyrite, the photo of which is presented in the article, is an excellent conductor of electric current.
When the temperature rises, a decrease in resistivity is observed. If you act on a mixture of iron and copper oxides with hydrogen sulfide, you can get small crystals of chalcopyrite artificially. It can be formed in nature under different conditions. Chalcopyrite has been found in various igneous deposits, sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal zones.
Prevalence in nature
As a satellite, it was found in magmatogenic deposits of sulfide copper and nickel ores. Hydrothermal vein and metasomatic deposits are considered the largest.
Copper ore gradually turns into pyrite, which is associated with pyrite, galena, sphalerite, faded ores. In such deposits, the presence of calcite, quartz, barite, and various silicates is allowed. During weathering, the destruction of chalcopyrite occurs, and sulfates of iron and copper are formed. The interaction of copper s alt with carbon dioxide or carbonates in the presence of oxygen and water leads to the formation of azurite and malachite.
As a satellitechalcopyrite can be found in hydrothermal deposits of various sulfide ores. It is considered an essential component of such mixtures and has independent industrial uses. On the territory of our country and neighboring countries, there are different genetic types of deposits, where pyrite is the main component of copper ore.
Pyrite deposits have been discovered in the Urals, which are confined to layers of sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age. The main mineral in such ores is pyrite. In the early stages of change in the area of secondary sulfide enrichment, it is replaced by bornite, covellite, and chalcocite. Cuprite, malachite, limonite, azurite are noted among weathering products.
Among the highest temperature deposits, which are associated with ultrabasic or basic rocks, are Sudbury (Canada), Volkovskoye deposit (Urals), Monchetunda (Murmansk region). The highest temperature deposits rich in copper pyrite are molybdenum and tungsten formations.
Practical value
How is copper pyrite used? The use of this mineral is due to the content of copper in it. It is used both in free form and in the composition of alloys (tompac, bronze, brass). The electrical industry is the main consumer of copper. An impressive amount is consumed in housing construction, chemical industry, shipbuilding, mechanical engineering.
In folkIn medicine, the mineral chalcopyrite is used as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. Some healers use chalcopyrite to treat eczema and dermatitis. The mineral helps to get rid of nightmares, insomnia, nervous exhaustion.
Some people believe that this stone attracts good luck in trading. It is sought after by women who dream of attention from the opposite sex. Chalcopyrite can be used as a charm for your home. This mineral has certain contraindications. The abuse of this stone leads to the appearance of allergic reactions, increased secretion of bile.
Conclusion
After a person learned the technology of smelting pure metal ores, special attention began to be paid to the development of various deposits. In metallurgy, a special place belongs to the smelting of copper from various ores, including chalcopyrite. Copper pyrite occurs in various regions of the Earth. Depending on the depth of location in the extraction of this mineral, several methods are used. At shallow depths, mining is carried out by a quarry method. With a deep location of copper ores, the process of extracting the mineral becomes much more complicated. On the territory of the Russian Federation, copper pyrite is found in the Urals, near Norilsk, on the Celtic Peninsula.
Since the 18th century, this mineral has been mined on the northeastern slope of the Salair Ridge. There is one deposit of copper pyrite here. It is this ore that geologists consider the best in terms of physicaland chemical characteristics. Chalcopyrite is currently the main ore for the production of pure copper. This metal has excellent electrical characteristics, so it is from it that a variety of laboratory accessories, coils are created.
