Molybdenite chalcopyrite quartz

Specimen Summary

Soft silvery-grey molybdenite is the main ore mineral for molybdenum. Molybdenum, often just called ‘moly’, is used to make alloys with other metals like iron. Adding molybdenum to steel makes it stronger, harder and more resistant to corrosion. It also has a very high melting temperature, so is very useful when added to alloys to make aircraft parts and industrial motors, which need to withstand high temperatures.

Chalcopyrite is the most common ore mineral for copper and is a sulphide of iron and copper. Chalco comes from the Greek word chalko, meaning copper. Chalcopyrite is commonly found in sulphide deposits in most ore-forming environments. Chalcopyrite is an important copper ore mineral found in many different types of copper deposit. A characteristic deep brass yellow colour and iridescent green-to-purple weathering surfaces distinguish chalcopyrite from gold and sulphides such as pyrite. 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.

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:

Chamber of Mines of Eastern BC (NCM)

Sub Collection:

-

Collection ID:

NCM_20

Virtual Museum ID:

19-NCM20

Accessibility:

Date Added to VM:

2019-06-11

Location Information

Sample Origin:

Trout Lake, BC

Specific Site:

MAX Mine

UTM Easting:

457374

UTM Northing:

5609565

Datum:

11 (NAD 83)

Coordinate Accuracy:

Specimen Details

VM Category:

Rock

Primary Features:

Molybdenite chalcopyrite quartz

Primary Mineral Formula:

MoS2

Primary Category:

sulphide oxide

Secondary Features:

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:

Lardeau Group

Geological Period:

Late Cretaceous

Stratigraphic Age:

100.5 - 66 Million Years ago

Geological Belt:

Omineca

Geological Terrane:

Minfile ID:

082KNW087

Minfile Link:

https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=082KNW087

Site Details:

Additional Images