Patrónite

Patronite is a rarely occurring mineral from the mineral class of sulfides and sulfosalts. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the chemical formula VS4 and forms aggregates of columnar crystals of dark gray color.

Etymology and history

Patronite was first found in 1906 by Hewett in the type locality Minas Ragra at Cerro de Pasco in Peru. The mineral is named after the Peruvian metallurgists Antenor Rizo - Patrón.

Classification

In the classification by Strunz patronite is classified in the sulfides and sulfosalts. In the 8th edition he formed a sub-group of non- metal-like sulfides. In the 9th edition are it is one of the metal sulfides with a ratio of metal to sulfur of greater than 1:2.

In the scheme of minerals by Dana patronite forms a separate subgroup of sulfides with different formulas.

Education and Locations

Patronite forms in fractures, which were formed in shale and are filled with asphalt -like hydrocarbon. It is blended with various other vanadium minerals. It is often strongly associated with sulfur, coal, clay and Bravoit. More socialized minerals are pyrite, Minasragrit, Stanleyit, Dwornikit and quartz.

Patronite is known almost exclusively from the Ragra Mine in Peru. In this largest known deposits of vanadium ores patronite is one of the Haupterze. Other occurrences are known only from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia.

Crystal structure

Patronite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system in the space group I2 / c, the lattice parameters a = 6.78 Å, b = 10.42 Å, c = 12.11 Å and β = 100.8 °, and eight formula units per unit cell.

Use

Patronite has long been the main source for the recovery of vanadium. Meanwhile, it was peeled off However, magnetite ores from which vanadium can be obtained as a byproduct.