Stannite

Stannite, also known as Zinnkies by mining or tin- copper luster or synonymously as stannite, Kassiterolamprit or Volfsonit, is a mineral from the mineral class of sulfides and sulfosalts with the chemical formula Cu2FeSnS4. Stannite crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system, but usually in coarse, granular masses occurs steel-gray color and is very rare crystals in tetrahedral shape. Substituting some Stannite can contain up to 2% indium.

Stannite one not mentioned to the Stannite salts of stannic acid.

Etymology and history

The mineral name is derived from the chemical element Tin (Latin stannum ), which is contained in stannite. The degradation of stannite is occupied for the 3rd millennium BC in Tajikistan. Was first investigated chemically Stannite 1797 and 1810 by Martin Heinrich Klaproth. He examined ore from St Agnes in Cornwall, which is also known as type locality.

Classification

In the classification by Strunz Stannite is classified in the sulfides and sulfosalts. It is counted among the sulfides with a ratio of metal to sulfur, selenium or tellurium of 1:1. In the eighth edition, it made with Barquillit, Briartit, Černýit, Famatinit, Ferrokësterit, Hocartit, Kesterite, Kuramit, Luzonit, Permingeatit, Petrukit, Pirquitasit, Rhodostannit, Sakuraiit, Toyohait and Velikit a group. In the ninth edition, the sulfides are further subdivided according to cations, there is Stannite mt Černýit, Ferrokësterit, Hocartit, Idait, Kesterite, Kuramit, Mohit, Pirquitasit, Stannoidit and Velikit a subset of metal sulfides with a ratio of metal to sulfur, selenium or tellurium of 1:1, and zinc, iron, copper or silver.

In the classification of minerals according to Dana it forms with Černýit, Briartit, Kuramit, Sakuraiit, Hocartit, Pirquitasit, Velikit, Kesterite, Ferrokësterit and Barquillit the stannite - subgroup of sulfides - including selenides and tellurides - with the composition AmBn Xp, with ( n m ): p = 1:1.

Modifications and varieties

Stannite and Kesterite form a solid solution series, in which iron and zinc can be exchanged against each other. In Stannite this outweighs iron while Kesterite is stronger zinc-containing. Additionally there is a zinc-containing rare variety known.

Education and Locations

Stannite is a typical mineral zinnführender hydrothermal transitions where it usually occurs in addition to subordinate cassiterite. Other common accompanying minerals are sphalerite, galena, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrite.

It is known a greater number of localities Stannites. In addition to the type locality Cínovec in the Czech Republic, Broken Hill and Zeehan in Australia, Oruro, Chocaya and Cerro Rico in Bolivia, Keystone in the United States, Canada and Fredericton in Yizhang in the People's Republic of China are among the most important Stannite deposits.

Crystal structure

Stannite crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system, space group I42m with the lattice parameters a = 5.443 Å and c = 10.73 Å and two formula units per unit cell.

Use

As an independent ore Stannite is rather insignificant, but is carried along in the breakdown of cassiterite deposits. Local can be Stannite for the Cu - production of meaning.