Chalcopyrite

Specimen Summary

Chalcopyrite is an important copper ore mineral found in many different types of copper deposit. It is sometimes mistaken for Gold because of its bright yellow colour; however, it is harder, more common, and chalcopyrite commonly occurs with other copper sulphide minerals such as bornite and weathers to malachite and azurite.

This sample comes from Quatsino, Vancouver Island and although its exact origin is unknown it possibly came from the Island Copper Mine. The mine was a major copper and minor Molybdenum and Gold producer. This sample also contains euhedral feldspar crystals.

The Island Copper Mine was located near to Quatsino at the Northern end of Vancouver Island. It was an open pit dug 1320 ft below sea level which, at the time, was the lowest place on earth. Due to its proximity to the ocean a large wall was constructed in order to keep the pit stable.

Specimen Data

 

The information listed below relates to the current holding location or collection that the sample is from, and whether the item is viewable at that location or is part of a private collection. Coordinates are given as guides, and we remind you that collecting specimens from these locations is not allowed. Caution is advised visiting such sites and Below BC assumes no responsibility for any injuries or trespassing charges that may occur as a result of the viewer entering these sites.

Collection Details

Original Collection:

Association for Mineral Exploration (AME)

Sub Collection:

-

Collection ID:

AME-66

Virtual Museum ID:

19-AME66

Accessibility:

Date Added to VM:

2018-02-15

Location Information

Sample Origin:

Quatsino, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Specific Site:

Unknown

UTM Easting:

597473.7164

UTM Northing:

5599396.116

Datum:

09 (NAD 83)

Coordinate Accuracy:

Approximate

Specimen Details

VM Category:

Mineral

Primary Features:

Chalcopyrite

Primary Mineral Formula:

CuFeS2

Primary Category:

sulphide

Secondary Features:

Feldspar

Advanced Geological Information

 

The following section provides geological data relating to the specimen or the site it was collected from, when available. Information has been obtained from various sources including private and government datasets but may not be up to date. Any geological time periods or ages listed often relate to the primary geology of the area, and may not be the actual date of an event such as mineral formation.

Geological Formation:

N/A

Geological Period:

N/A

Stratigraphic Age:

N/A

Geological Belt:

N/A

Geological Terrane:

N/A

Minfile ID:

N/A

Minfile Link:

N/A

Site Details:

N/A

Additional Images