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Copper Ore Minerals
More than 170 copper-containing minerals are known. According to their chemical composition, they are divided into the following groups: native copper, sulfides and arsenosulfides, halides, oxides, carbonates, silicates, phosphates, sulfates. However, not all copper-containing minerals are of industrial importance.
The following minerals are most widely used in industry:
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Chalcopyrite , copper pyrite Cu 2 FeS 2 or Cu 2 SFe 2 S 3.
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Bornite , Bornite, a variegated copper ore Cu5FeS4. A primary copper mineral.
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Chalcocite , copper luster Cu 2 S. Covellite CuS. Both minerals are secondary sulfides that formed during the interaction of chalcopyrite oxidation products with pyrite and copper sulfate.
- Dioptase , ashirite, copper emerald Cu6[Si6О18]×6H2O. Acidic copper silicate, transparent crystals.
- Chrysocolla (Cu, Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4*nH2O. Hydrous copper silicate.
- Malachite , copper green CuCO3*Cu(OH)2. Basic copper carbonate, formed as a result of oxidation of copper sulfides into its sulfates and the interaction of the latter with limestone.
- Azurite , copper azure, copper blue Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 or
(CuCO3)2 Cu(OH)2.
Several types of copper ores are distinguished according to the mineralogical composition and the nature of the host rock.
- Stratum ores . Belong to monometallic ores.
- Copper porphyry ores . Monometallic ores, sometimes containing molybdenum. 2-5% chalcopyrite and pyrite. 90-90% of the total mass of the ore is silicates, the predominant of which is quartz (60-95%), the rest of the rock is sericite.
- Pyrite ores. These ores contain 95% iron sulfides. Pyrite ores are divided into the following
- Sulfur pyrites with a copper content below 0.7%, zinc below 2%, sulfur above 35%, insoluble residue below 16%.
- Copper pyrites . Copper >0.7%, zinc below 2%.
- Zinc-copper pyrites with a copper content above 0.7% and zinc content above 2%.
Copper ores are also distinguished as being found in combination with molybdenum and nickel (copper-molybdenum and copper-nickel ores).
