Introduction to the main mineral features of copper
Copper is a metal purple, hardness of 2.5 to 3, the proportion of 8.5 to 9, ductility and thermal resistance, high electrical conductivity. Due to these properties and their ability to form alloys with zinc , lead , nickel , aluminum and titanium , copper is widely used in electrical appliances, machinery, vehicles, the marine industry and civil appliances.
There are more than 280 copper-bearing minerals in nature, 16 of which are industrially significant.
First, natural copper (Copper)
The composition of Cu, the natural natural copper component sometimes contains silver and gold. Isometric crystal system. The crystals are cubic, but rare; generally dendritic, flaky or dense block aggregates. Copper red, the surface is easily oxidized to brownish black. The streaks are bright copper red. Metallic luster. Hardness 2.5~3. Strongly malleable. The fracture is jagged. A good conductor for electricity and heat. The density is 8.5~8.9 g/cm3. Natural copper is commonly found in the oxidized zone of copper-bearing sulphide deposits and is generally the product of the conversion of copper sulphides to oxides. The native natural copper of hydrothermal origin is often found in some hydrothermal deposits. Natural copper is also often produced in copper-bearing sandstones . When Dali accumulates, it can be used as copper ore.
Second, copper sulfide
1. Chalcopyrite
The composition CuFeS2 contains Cu44.56%. Tetragonal system. The crystals are tetragonal or tetragonal tetrahedrons, but are rare; often granular or dense aggregates. Brass color. The surface is often dark yellow or plaque-colored due to oxidation. The streak is green and black. Hardness 3~4. The density is 4.1~4.3 g/cm3. It is mainly produced in copper-nickel sulphide deposits, porphyry copper deposits, contacted copper deposits, and some sedimentary genesis (including volcanic sedimentary genesis). Under weathering, chalcopyrite is converted into copper sulfate which is easily soluble in water, and the latter forms malachite and azurite when it reacts with a solution containing carbonic acid. Chalcopyrite is one of the main ore minerals for copper smelting.
2. Borneite (Bornite)
The composition is Cu5FeS4, containing 6.333% of Cu. Isometric crystal system. Usually in the form of granules or dense block aggregates. The fresh fracture is copper-red, and the surface is blue-purple-like in color due to oxidation, hence the name. The streak is grayish black. Hardness 3. Density 4.9~5.0 g/cm3. Bornite is a widely distributed mineral in many copper deposits. The endogenous copper ore often contains inclusions of microscopic flaky chalcopyrite, which is a product of solid solution decomposition. Secondary porphyrites are formed in the secondary enrichment zone of copper deposits. It is one of the main ore minerals for copper smelting.
3. Chalcocite (chalcocite)
The composition Cu2S contains Cu79.86%. Orthorhombic system. Crystals are rare, usually in the form of soot, granules or dense blocks. Lead gray. The streak is dark gray. Metallic luster. Hardness 2~3. Slightly malleable, with a knife cut to leave a bright groove. The density is 5.5~5.8 g/cm3. It can be the origin of endogenous hydrothermal fluid, and the section can be an external generation factor, which is one of the main ore minerals for copper smelting.
4. Copper blue (Covellite)
Ingredients CuS. Containing 66.5% of Cu. Hexagonal system. Usually a flaky, membranous or soot-like aggregate. Indigo. The streaks are gray to black. Metallic luster. Hardness 1.5~2. The cleavage parallel bottom {0001} is complete. The density is 4.59~1.67 g/cm3. The sheet is slightly elastic. Copper blue is mainly an external source and is the most common mineral in the secondary enrichment zone of copper-bearing sulphide deposits. Copper blue enamel formed by hydrothermal fluid is rare. It is one of the ore minerals of copper smelting.
5. Square chalcopyrite
CuFe2S3, orthorhombic, crystals are often elongated flat prisms, sometimes forming V-type twin or radial hexagonal or sheet-like aggregates, which are rare. Copper yellow, streaks black, opaque. Mohs hardness 3.5~4, metallic luster, specific gravity 4.1 g / cm 3, cleavage is not complete, fracture shell-like. With vertical stripes. Often symbiotic chalcopyrite, quartz, natural gold, mineral siderite, calcite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and other copper sulfides. Secondary rare copper minerals.
6. Copper ore (Tetrahedrite)
The composition Cu12Sb4S13 contains Cu45.77%. It forms a homogeneous series with the arsenic bismuth copper ore Cu12As4S13. Generally, the beryllium copper ore contains a certain amount of arsenic bismuth copper ore molecules. Isometric crystal system. The crystals are tetrahedral, but are usually in the form of granules or dense block aggregates. Steel ash to iron black, the fresh fracture is black. The streaks are the same as the color. Semi-metallic luster. Hardness 3~4. The density is 4.4~5.1 g/cm3. Found in various copper-bearing hydrothermal deposits. Often used as copper ore with other copper-containing minerals.
7. Sulfur arsenic copper ore (enargite)
The composition Cu3AsS4 contains 48.3% of Cu. Orthorhombic system. Crystals are often in the form of cylinders, but are usually in the form of dense blocks or granules. Steel ash to iron black. The streak is grayish black. Metallic luster. Hardness 3.5. The cleavage parallel oblique column {110} is complete. The density is 4.4~4.5 g/cm3. Mainly found in the medium temperature hydrothermal copper deposit, and symbiotic with chalcopyrite, beryllium copper ore. It can be used as copper ore for enrichment.
Third, copper oxide
1. Cuprite (cuprite).
The composition is Cu2O, containing C88.82%. Isometric crystal system. The crystals are fine octahedrons, sometimes needle-like or hair-like, called needle copper. The aggregate is dense, granular or earthy. dark red. The streak is brownish red. Diamond shiny or semi-metallic luster. Hardness 3.5~4. Density 6 g / cm 3 . Formed under exogenous conditions, mainly found in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, is the product of oxidation of copper-containing sulfides. Can be used as copper ore.
2. Black copper mine (Tenorite)
The composition CuO contains 79.9% Cu. Monoclinic system. Black or grayish black. The streak is grayish black. Semi-metallic luster. Crisp. Hardness 3.5. The density is 5.8~6.4 g/cm3. It is mainly found in the oxidation zone of copper deposits and is the product of oxidation of copper-containing sulfides.
3. Malachite
The composition is Cu2[CO3](OH)2, Cu57.4%. Monoclinic system. The crystals are needle-like and are usually in the form of radial or stalactite aggregates. green. Glass luster. Hardness 3.5-4. Density 3.9-4..0 g/cm3. Foaming with hydrochloric acid. It is a secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of primary copper-bearing sulfides. It is produced in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing sulfide deposits and often coexists with blue-copper ore. Their appearance can be used as a sign for the search for primary copper deposits. The large-colored malachite is the material of the craft carving, and the powder is made of pigment, which is called stone green. Can also be used as a traditional Chinese medicine, called green green. It can be used as copper ore when it is accumulated in a large amount.
4. Azurite (Azurite)
The composition Cu3[CO3]2(OH)2 contains Cu55.2%. Monoclinic system. The crystals are short columns or thick plates, usually in the form of granules, blocks or radial, and earthy or hull-like aggregates. Dark blue, earthy or scaly, light blue. Glass luster. Hardness 3.5~4. The density is 3.7~3.9 g/cm3. Foaming with hydrochloric acid. It is a secondary mineral formed by oxidation of primary copper-bearing sulfides. It is produced in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing sulfide deposits and is often symbiotic with malachite. Their appearance can be used as a sign for the search for primary copper deposits. The powder is made of blue pigment, called azurite. Medicinal, called flat green. It can be used as copper ore when it is accumulated in a large amount.
5. Chrysocolla (Chrysocolla)
Component (Ca, Al) 2H2Si2O5(OH)4·nH2O. A cryptocrystalline or colloidal aggregate in the form of stalactites, husks, and soil. Green, light blue-green, brown and black when containing impurities. Waxy-like luster, with a ceramic appearance, glass luster, earthy luster. Hardness 2~4. Density 2.0~2.4 g/cm3.
6.Blanchardite
The composition is Cu4SO4(OH)6. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system. The single crystal is a short to acicular transparent to translucent crystal, and sometimes also a plate, kidney or fibrous aggregate. The colors are emerald green, black green or even black. Light green streaks. With glass to pearl luster. Hardness 3.5 to 4. The specific gravity is 3.5 to 4 g/cm3. The fracture is jagged and has a good cleavage in one direction. It is a brittle mineral. Water cholesteric is a secondary mineral that is often found in the oxidized zone on the copper deposit.
7. Chlorite (Atacamite)
The composition is Cu2Cl(OH)3. Contains CuO50.4%. Trigonal crystal system. The crystal is short columnar. Green to blue-green. The streak is green. Glass luster. The cleavage parallel whip is complete. Hardness 5. Density 3.28-3.35 g / cm 3 . It is the oxidation product of copper sulfide, which is found in the oxidation zone of copper deposits. Also known as perspective stone.
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