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Chalcopyrite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Mark Kucera
03725040017271922008239.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Tincroft Mine, Pool, Carn Brea, Cornwall, England, UK
07841280017271922029968.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Mount Lyell Mines, Queenstown, Queenstown district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia
01884280017271922157767.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Boldut Mine, Cavnic, Maramureș County, Romania
06932030017271922187293.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Moinho deposit, Aljustrel Mine, Aljustrel e Rio de Moinhos, Aljustrel, Beja, Portugal
03725040017271922008239.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Tincroft Mine, Pool, Carn Brea, Cornwall, England, UK
07841280017271922029968.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Mount Lyell Mines, Queenstown, Queenstown district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia
01884280017271922157767.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Boldut Mine, Cavnic, Maramureș County, Romania
06932030017271922187293.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Moinho deposit, Aljustrel Mine, Aljustrel e Rio de Moinhos, Aljustrel, Beja, Portugal
00104740017271922286466.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Tincroft Mine, Pool, Carn Brea, Cornwall, England, UK
09362340017271922297852.jpg
Chalcopyrite, etc.

Mount Lyell Mines, Queenstown, Queenstown district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia
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About ChalcopyriteHide

Formula:
CuFeS2
Colour:
Brass yellow, often with an iridescent tarnish.
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.1 - 4.3
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in 1725 by Johann Friedrich Henckel from the Greek "chalkos", copper, and "pyrites", strike fire.
Chalcopyrite Group. Chalcopyrite-Eskebornite Series.

A major ore of copper. Common in sulfide veins and disseminated in igneous rocks.
Weathering may lead to the formation of malachite, azurite, brochantite, langite and numerous other secondary copper minerals.

A Zn-rich variety is known from Atlantis II Deep (see zincian chalcopyrite). Also, the Mid-Atlantic-ridge isocubanite may transform to chalcopyrite and UM1994-22-S:CuFe (Cu1-xFe3+xS4) (Wintenberger et al., 1994).

Compare, e.g., UM1991-16-S:CuFeTl, UM1988-17-S:CuFe, UM1988-18-S:CuFe, and UM2003-19-S:CuFe.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Chalcopyrite.



Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
955
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:955:7

IMA Classification of ChalcopyriteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

Classification of ChalcopyriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
2.CB.10a

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 7th ed.:
2.9.1.1
Dana 8th ed.:
2.9.1.1

2 : SULFIDES
9 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.1.25

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
1 : Sulphides etc. of Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
CcpIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
CcpKretz (1983)Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.
CcpSiivolam & Schmid (2007)Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
CcpWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
CpThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Pronunciation of ChalcopyriteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of ChalcopyriteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brass yellow, often with an iridescent tarnish.
Streak:
Greenish black
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=187 - Vickers
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Indistinct on {011}, sometimes distinct.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.1 - 4.3 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.18 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ChalcopyriteHide

Anisotropism:
Weak, but distinct blue-gray to yellow-green
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
400nm16.0%17.3%
420nm20.0%21.3%
440nm24.8%26.1%
460nm30.2%31.4%
480nm34.9%35.9%
500nm38.9%39.9%
520nm41.9%42.7%
540nm44.0%44.9%
560nm45.4%46.4%
580nm46.6%47.6%
600nm47.1%48.3%
620nm47.5%48.6%
640nm47.6%48.7%
660nm47.6%48.7%
680nm47.6%48.6%
700nm47.6%48.6%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 48.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Yellow against a white/gray phase, greenish-yellow when next to gold.
Internal Reflections:
None
Pleochroism:
Weak

Chemistry of ChalcopyriteHide

Mindat Formula:
CuFeS2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
S34.944 %
Cu34.626 %
Fe30.430 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Cu, Fe, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Ag,Au,In,Tl,Se,Te

Age distributionHide

Recorded ages:
Phanerozoic : 299.7 ± 1.8 Ma to 57 Ma - based on 8 recorded ages.

Chemical AnalysisHide

Crystallography of ChalcopyriteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
I4 2d
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.289 Å, c = 10.423 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.971
Unit Cell V:
291.57 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Typically found as equant to wedge-shaped pseudo-tetrahedral disphenoidal crystals, often modified by tetragonal scalenohedral faces. Mostly found massive or in disseminated grains and major deposits of such material are known.
Twinning:
Twinned on {112} and {012}, penetration or cyclic.
Comment:
Subcell: I-centred tetragonal, a = 3.74, c = 5.21 Å.

Crystallographic forms of ChalcopyriteHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Chalcopyrite no.13 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Chalcopyrite no.19 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Chalcopyrite no.37 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Chalcopyrite no.58 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0018622ChalcopyriteKnight K S, Marshall W G, Zochowski S W (2011) The low-temperature and high-pressure thermoelastic and structural properties of chalcopyrite, CuFeS2 The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1015-10342011Palabora mine, South Africa0300
0018623ChalcopyriteKnight K S, Marshall W G, Zochowski S W (2011) The low-temperature and high-pressure thermoelastic and structural properties of chalcopyrite, CuFeS2 The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1015-10342011Palabora mine, South Africa04.2
0009476ChalcopyriteHall S R, Stewart J M (1973) The crystal structure refinement of chalcopyrite, CuFeS2 Acta Crystallographica B29 579-58519730293
0017661ChalcopyritePauling L, Brockway L (1932) The Crystal Structure of Chalkopyrite Cu Fe S2 _cod_database_code 1010940 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 82 188-19419320293
0017651ChalcopyriteBurdick C, Ellis J (1917) The Crystal Structure of Chalcopyrite Determined by X-Rays _cod_database_code 1010929 Journal of the American Chemical Society 39 2519-252519170293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

Epitaxial Relationships of ChalcopyriteHide

Epitaxial Minerals:
PyriteFeS2
Epitaxy Comments:
Pyrite on chalcopyrite from Ege-Khay, Yakutia, Russia (Novgorodova 1977).

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.04 Å(100)
2.64 Å(10)
1.87 Å(20)
1.86 Å(40)
1.59 Å(300
1.57 Å(10)
1.21 Å(10)
1.08 Å(10)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust>4.50
8 : Mafic igneous rocks
11 : Volcanic fumarole minerals; reduced phases (see also #45)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere>4.45
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33)
15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals
Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust>4.4-3.0
19 : Granitic intrusive rocks
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals<0.36
51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56)<0.36
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56)
Geological Setting:
Chalcopyrite is a prevalent sulfide mineral in ore deposits and hosts various trace elements such as Ag, Co, As, Se, Sb, Te, Bi, etc. The variations in trace element contents, as well as Fe, S, and Cu isotopic compositions of chalcopyrite are controlled by a series of factors including metallogenic temperature and pressure, fluid compositions, metal sources, and sulfide equilibrium. Chalcopyrite is found in porphyry Cu deposits (PCDs), sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform Cu deposits (SSCs), iron oxide Cu-Au deposits (IOCGs), sedimentary exhalative deposits (SEDEXs), magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposits (MSDs), and volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits (VMSs), etc. Different types of ore deposits show significantly distinct chalcopyrite geochemical characteristics. For example, in PCDs, chalcopyrite is notably enriched in Zn and Pb, with negative δ34S values (−2.1 ± 3.64 ‰, n = 32) due to sediment contributions. Positive δ65Cu values (1.5 ± 2.00 ‰, n = 140) indicate a mantle-crustal mixed source, while negative δ57Fe values (−4.3 ± 5.10 ‰, n = 32) likely result from Fe isotope fractionation during magnetite precipitation or continental crust contamination. In MSDs, Cr is the most enriched element, with positive δ34S values (1.0 ± 2.14 ‰, n = 185) and slightly negative δ⁶5Cu values (−0.46 ± 0.50 ‰, n = 52). Chalcopyrite in SSCs is enriched in Zn and As, characterized by negative δ34S (−3.6 ± 0.12 ‰, n = 190) and δ65Cu values (−0.59 ± 0.98 ‰, n = 118).

Synonyms of ChalcopyriteHide

Other Language Names for ChalcopyriteHide

Varieties of ChalcopyriteHide

Blistered CopperA botryoidal variety of chalcopyrite.

Very often referred by collectors as "Blister Copper", but this name also refers to a partly purified copper with a blistered surface formed during smelting ( see Blister copper (smelted)).

This is a "blistered copp...
Gold-bearing ChalcopyriteA gold-bearing variety of chalcopyrite; probably microscopic or nano-inclusions of gold in the chalcopyrite.
PGE-rich ChalcopyriteA variety, suggested to be a part of a solid solution, extremely rich in platinum-group elements (PGE): up to 43.7 wt.% total PGE.
Silver-bearing ChalcopyriteIn association, i.a., with 'Unnamed (Ag Antimonide)', electrum, schapbachite, hessite, and other species.
Tin-bearing ChalcopyriteA tin-bearing variety of chalcopyrite.
Zinc-bearing ChalcopyriteFound as grains with a hexagonal outline, 10-15 microns in size.

Relationship of Chalcopyrite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Chalcopyrite Group
Other Members of Chalcopyrite Group:
EskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 4 2m : P4 2c
GalliteCuGaS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
LaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
LenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
RoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
ShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
Unnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)Cu2MnSnS4
Forms a series with:
EskeborniteChalcopyrite-Eskebornite Series

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
6,675 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with QuartzSiO2
4,085 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with CalciteCaCO3
4,028 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with SphaleriteZnS
3,297 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with GalenaPbS
2,794 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with PyriteFeS2
2,311 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
1,684 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with FluoriteCaF2
1,140 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with SideriteFeCO3
1,117 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
1,023 photos of Chalcopyrite associated with BorniteCu5FeS4

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.CB.RichardsiteZn2CuGaS4Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m
2.CB.OkruginiteCu2SnSe3Mon. m : Bb
2.CB.HanswilkeiteKFeS2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.CB.AuroselenideAuSeMon. 2/m : B2/m
2.CB.Ruizhongite(Ag2◻)Pb3Ge2S8Iso. 4 3m : I4 3d
2.CB.AgmantiniteAg2MnSnS4Orth.
2.CB.TolstykhiteAu3S4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.GachingiteAu(Te1-xSex)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CB.05aHawleyiteCdSIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05UM1998-15-S:CuFeZnCu2Fe3Zn5S10
2.CB.05aColoradoiteHgTeIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05aMetacinnabarHgSIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05aTiemanniteHgSeIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05aSphaleriteZnSIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05bSakuraiite(Cu,Zn,Fe)3(In,Sn)S4 Iso.
2.CB.05cPolhemusite(Zn,Hg)STet.
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite(Fe,Zn)SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05aStilleiteZnSeIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.05aIshiharaite(Cu,Ga,Fe,In,Zn)SIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.07aUnnamed (Cu-Mn-Sn Sulphide)Cu2MnSnS4
2.CB.07aShenzhuangiteNiFeS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
2.CB.10bTalnakhiteCu9(Fe,Ni)8S16Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
2.CB.10bHaycockiteCu4Fe5S8Orth. 2 2 2
2.CB.10aLenaiteAgFeS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
2.CB.10aGalliteCuGaS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
2.CB.10aRoquesiteCuInS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
2.CB.10aEskeborniteCuFeSe2Tet. 4 2m : P4 2c
2.CB.10aUM1984-30-S:CuFeSnCu2Fe2Sn3S7
2.CB.10cOmariniiteCu8Fe2ZnGe2S12Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2
2.CB.10aUnnamed (Cu-Zn-In Sulphide)CuZn2InS4
2.CB.10bMooihoekiteCu9Fe9S16Tet. 4 2m : P4 2m
2.CB.10aLaforêtiteAgInS2Tet. 4 2m : I4 2d
2.CB.10bPutoraniteCu1.1Fe1.2S2Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pn3m
2.CB.15aVelikiteCu2HgSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15cUM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZnCu8(Fe,Zn)3Ge2S12 (?)
2.CB.15aHocartiteAg2(Fe2+,Zn)SnS4Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m
2.CB.15aKësteriteCu2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aPirquitasiteAg2ZnSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aStanniteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m
2.CB.15cStannoiditeCu+6Cu2+2(Fe2+,Zn)3Sn2S12Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2
2.CB.15bMohiteCu2SnS3Mon.
2.CB.15aČernýiteCu2CdSnS4Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m
2.CB.15aIdaiteCu5FeS6Hex.
2.CB.15aFerrokësteriteCu2FeSnS4Tet. 4 : I4
2.CB.15aKuramiteCu3SnS4Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m
2.CB.17a vArsenic-bearing RenieriteCu11GeAsFe4S16
2.CB.20MawsoniteCu6Fe2SnS8Tet. 4 2m : P4m2
2.CB.20ChatkaliteCu6FeSn2S8Tet. 4 2m : P4m2
2.CB.30FrieseiteAg2Fe5S8 (?)
2.CB.30NekrasoviteCu26V2(Sn,As,Sb)6S32Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
2.CB.30Argyropyritenear Ag2Fe7S11
2.CB.30MaikainiteCu20(Fe,Cu)6Mo2Ge6S32Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m)
2.CB.30ColusiteCu13VAs3S16Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
2.CB.30GermaniteCu13Fe2Ge2S16Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
2.CB.30GermanocolusiteCu26V2(Ge,As)6S32Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m
2.CB.30StibiocolusiteCu13V(Sb,Sn,As)3S16Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m
2.CB.30Ovamboite Cu20(Fe,Cu,Zn)6W2Ge6S32Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite(Pb,Fe)3Ge1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.35aRenierite(Cu1+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16Tet. 4 2m : P4 2c
2.CB.35aHemusiteCu6SnMoS8Iso.
2.CB.35bCatamarcaiteCu6GeWS8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.35aVincienniteCu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16Tet.
2.CB.35aKiddcreekiteCu6SnWS8Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m
2.CB.35aPolkovicite(Fe,Pb)3(Ge,Fe)1-xS4Iso.
2.CB.40LautiteCuAsSOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CB.42LingbaoiteAgTe3Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.45CadmoseliteCdSeHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45RambergiteMnSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Buseckite(Fe,Zn,Mn)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45MaletoyvayamiteAu3Se4Te6Tric. 1 : P1
2.CB.45GreenockiteCdSHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.45Wurtzite(Zn,Fe)SHex. 6mm : P63mc
2.CB.47MurchisiteCr5S6Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1c
2.CB.50ZincselenideZnSe
2.CB.50WassoniteTiSTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CB.52DzhezkazganiteReMoCu2PbS6 ?Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CB.55bIsocubaniteCuFe2S3Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
2.CB.55aCubaniteCuFe2S3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CB.60RaguiniteTlFeS2Orth.
2.CB.60PicotpauliteTlFe2S3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
2.CB.65ArgentopyriteAgFe2S3Mon. 2/m
2.CB.65SternbergiteAgFe2S3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CB.70SulvaniteCu3VS4Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m
2.CB.75VulcaniteCuTeOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CB.80EmpressiteAgTeOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CB.85MuthmanniteAuAgTe2Mon. 2/m : P2/m

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
It is the principal ore of copper.

Chalcopyrite in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

    Internet Links for ChalcopyriteHide

    References for ChalcopyriteHide

    Reference List:
    Henckel, J.F. (1725) Pyritologia, oder Kieß Historie. Verlegts Johann Christian Martini (Leipzig), pages 114-115. [Chalcopyrites (Latin), Kupfer-Kieß (German)].
    Buerger, N. W. (1934) The unmixing of chalcopyrite from sphalerite. American Mineralogist, 19 (11) 525-530
    Buerger, N. W., Buerger, M. J. (1934) Crystallographic relations between cubanite segregation plates, chalcopyrite matrix, and secondary chalcopyrite twins. American Mineralogist, 19 (7) 289-303
    Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1944) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 1 - Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.219-224
    YUND, R. A.; KULLERUD, G. (1966) Thermal Stability of Assemblages in the Cu-Fe-S System. Journal of Petrology, 7 (3). 454-488 doi:10.1093/petrology/7.3.454
    Mariano, A.N. (1967) Abstract of paper presented at the twelfth annual meeting: Crystallographic polarity in chalcopyrite. The Canadian Mineralogist: 9: 297-298.
    Nambu, Matsuo; Kano, Shimpei (1968) Phase relations in the system Cu-Fe-S. (I) Relation between chalcopyrite and so-called cubic chalcopyrite. The Journal of the Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists, 60 (4). 127-145 doi:10.2465/ganko1941.60.127
    Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x
    Cabri, Louis J. (1973) New data on Phase Relations in the Cu-Fe-S System. Economic Geology, 68 (4) 443-454 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.68.4.443
    Hall, S. R., Stewart, J. M. (1973) The crystal structure refinement of chalcopyrite, CuFeS2. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 29 (3) 579-585 doi:10.1107/s0567740873002943
    Dutrizac, J.E., MacDonald, R.J.C. (1973) The effect of some impurities on the rate of chalcopyrite dissolution. Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, 12. 409-420 doi:10.1179/cmq.1973.12.4.409
    Hall, S. R. (1975) Crystal structures of the chalcopyrite series. The Canadian Mineralogist, 13 (2) 168-172
    Sugaki, A., Shima, H., Kitakaze, A., Harada, H. (1975) Isothermal phase relations in the system Cu-Fe-S under hydrothermal conditions at 350°C and 300°C. Economic Geology, 70 (4) 806-823 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.70.4.806
    Dutrizac, J. E. (1976) Reactions in cubanite and chalcopyrite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 14 (2) 172-181
    Novgorodova, M. I. (1977) A case of epitaxial growth of pyrite crystals on chalcopyrite. International Geology Review, 19 (12) 1457-1460 doi:10.1080/00206817709471160
    Nakai, I., Sugitani, Y., Nagashima, K., Niwa, Y. (1978) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of copper minerals. Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, 40 (5) 789-791 doi:10.1016/0022-1902(78)80152-3
    Chen, T.T., Dutrizac, J.E., Owens, D.R., Laflamme, J.H.G. (1980) Accelerated tarnishing of some chalcopyrite and tennantite specimens. The Canadian Mineralogist: 18: 173-180.
    Harris, D.C., Cabri, L.J., Nobiling, R. (1984) Silver-bearing chalcopyrite, a principal source of silver in the Izok Lake massive-sulfide deposit: confirmation by electron and proton microprobe analyses. The Canadian Mineralogist: 22: 493-498.
    Robie, Richard A, Wiggins, Lovell B, Barton, Paul B, Hemingway, Bruce S (1985) Low-temperature heat capacity and entropy of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2): estimates of the standard molar enthalpy and Gibbs free energy of formation of chalcopyrite and bornite (Cu5FeS4) The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 17 (5) 481-488 doi:10.1016/0021-9614(85)90147-8
    Barton, Paul B., Bethke, Philip M. (1987) Chalcopyrite disease in sphalerite: Pathology and epidemiology. American Mineralogist, 72 (5-6) 451-467
    Kratz, T., Fuess, H. (1989) Simultane Strukturbestimmung von Kupferkies und Bornit an einem Kristall. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 186: 167-169.
    Wintenberger, M., Andre, G., Garcin, C., Imbert, P., Jehanno, G., Fouquet, Y., Wafik, A. (1994): Intermediate valency, Verwey transition and magnetic structures of a new mineral, Cu1-xFe3+xS4, resulting from the ageing of isocubanite. J. Magnetism Magnetic Materials: 132: 31-45; in: Jambor, J.L., Roberts, A.C (1995): New mineral Names. American Mineralogist: 80: 186
    Gaines, Richard V., Skinner, H. Catherine W., Foord, Eugene E., Mason, Brian, Rosenzweig, Abraham, King, Vandall T. (1997) Dana's New Mineralogy (8th ed.). Wiley-Interscience. p.1872
    Boekema, C, Krupski, A.M, Varasteh, M, Parvin, K, van Til, F, van der Woude, F, Sawatzky, G.A (2004) Cu and Fe valence states in CuFeS2. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 272. 559-561 doi:10.1016/j.jmmm.2003.11.206
    (2005) Chalcopyrite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
    Goh, Siew Wei, Buckley, Alan N., Lamb, Robert N., Rosenberg, Richard A., Moran, Damian (2006) The oxidation states of copper and iron in mineral sulfides, and the oxides formed on initial exposure of chalcopyrite and bornite to air. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 70 (9) 2210-2228 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2006.02.007
    Pearce, C.I., Pattrick, R.A.D., Vaughan, D.J., Henderson, C.M.B., van der Laan, G. (2006) Copper oxidation state in chalcopyrite: Mixed Cu d9 and d10 characteristics. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 70 (18) 4635-4642 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2006.05.017
    Boon, J. W. (2010) The crystal structure of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and AgFeS2: The permutoidic reactions KFeS2 -> CuFeS2 and KFeS2 -> AgFeS2. Recueil des Travaux Chimiques des Pays-Bas: 63: 69-80.
    Knight, K. S., Marshall, W. G., Zochowski, S. W. (2011) The low-temperature and high-pressure thermoelastic and structural properties of chalcopyrite, CuFeS2. The Canadian Mineralogist, 49 (4). 1015-1034 doi:10.3749/canmin.49.4.1015
    Cai, L., Chen, X., Ding, J., Zhou, D. (2012) Leaching mechanism for chalcopyrite in hydrochloric acid. Hydrometallurgy: 113-114: 109-118.
    Li, Kan, Brugger, JoëL, Pring, Allan (2018) Exsolution of chalcopyrite from bornite-digenite solid solution: an example of a fluid-driven back-replacement reaction. Mineralium Deposita, 53 (7) 903-908 doi:10.1007/s00126-018-0820-6
    Qian, Gujie, Gibson, Christopher T., Harmer-Bassell, Sarah, Pring, Allan (2020) Atomic Force Microscopy and Raman Microspectroscopy Investigations of the Leaching of Chalcopyrite (112) Surface. Minerals, 10 (6) 485 doi:10.3390/min10060485
    [1]Tang, Yao, Sun, Deyou, Gou, Jun, Ni, Xinran, Zeng, Xiaohui, Zhang, Xingmin, Liu, Weipeng, Liang, Shanshan, Deng, Changzhou (2025) Chalcopyrite geochemistry: Advancements and implications in ore deposit research. Ore Geology Reviews, 179. 106528 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2025.106528

    Significant localities for ChalcopyriteHide

    Showing 35 significant localities out of 33,809 recorded on mindat.org.

    This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

    Locality ListHide

    - This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

    All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
      • Cloncurry Shire
        • Cloncurry
    		S Rust collection
    • South Australia
      • Copper Coast Council
    		RB94/00041 +1 other reference
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba
      • Chapare Province
    		Petrov (n.d.)
    Canada
     
    • Yukon
      • Mayo mining district
        • Galena Hill
          • Elsa
    		Oscar Jose Tessari (1979)
    China
     
    • Hubei
      • Huangshi
        • Daye Co.
    		Jingye Jiang et al. (1998) +1 other reference
    France
     
    • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
      • Isère
        • Grenoble
          • Villard-Notre-Dame
    		Dana 7:I:222.
    • Grand Est
      • Bas-Rhin
        • Molsheim
          • Schirmeck
    		Alain Steinmetz and Thierry Brunsperger ...
    Germany
     
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Burgenlandkreis
        • Naumburg (Saale)
          • Bad Kösen
    		Mineralogical Collection of the ...
    Ireland
     
    • Munster
      • Tipperary County
        • Monard
    		Flannery (n.d.) +2 other references
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Lucca Province
        • Stazzema
    		Bonazzi et al. (1992)
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Karaganda Region
    		RWMW specimen +2 other references
    Kosovo
     
    • Mitrovica District
      • Mitrovica
        • Trepča complex
    		Féraud J. (1979) +5 other references
    Mexico
     
    • Guanajuato
      • Guanajuato Municipality
        • Guanajuato
    		Panczner (1987)
    Peru
     
    • Ancash
      • Bolognesi Province
        • Aquia District
    		- (1997) +2 other references
        • Huallanca District
          • Huanzala
    		Imai et al. (1985) +2 other references
      • Recuay Province
        • Ticapampa District
    		- (1997)
    • Huancavelica
      • Angaraes Province
        • Ccochaccasa District
    		Crowley et al. (1997)
    • Lima
      • Huarochirí Province
        • Chicla District
          • Casapalca
    		- (1997) +1 other reference
    • Pasco
      • Pasco province
        • Tinyahuarco district
          • Colquijirca mining district
    		Economic Geology November 2009 vol. 104 ... +3 other references
    Romania
     
    • Maramureș County
      • Cavnic
    		Mineral News 14:12 p 1
    Russia
     
    • Primorsky Krai
      • Dalnegorsk Urban District
        • Dalnegorsk
    		Dobovol'skaya et al. (1990) +3 other references
    Spain
     
    • Basque Country
      • Guipúzcoa (Gipuzkoa)
        • Mutiloa
    		Calvo Rebollar (2003)
    • Galicia
      • A Coruña
        • Lousame
          • Vilacova
    		Calvo Rebollar (2003) +2 other references
      • Lugo
        • Incio
          • Vila de Mouros
            • Pacios
    		Victor Pais Collection
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Carn Brea
          • Pool
    		[var: Blistered Copper]
        • St Agnes
    		Henwood (1843) +4 other references
    USA
     
    • Connecticut
      • Hartford County
        • Bristol
    		Jones (2001)
    • Kentucky
      • Boyle County
        • Danville
          • Caldwell Stone Company Quarry
    		Rocks and Minerals Magazine Vol. 69 No. 4 (jul/aug 1994) +1 other reference
    • Missouri
      • Reynolds County
        • Ellington
    		Rocks & Min.: 22&26. +5 other references
    • New Mexico
      • Santa Fe County
        • New Placers District
    		M Massis collection +1 other reference
    • New York
      • Ulster County
        • Wawarsing
          • Ellenville
    		Dana 7:I:592. +1 other reference
    • North Carolina
      • Davidson County
        • Carolina Slate Belt
          • Cid Mining District
    		Koschmann et al. (1968)
    • Pennsylvania
      • Chester County
        • Warwick Township
          • Saint Peters
    		Rocks & Min.:64:7. +1 other reference
    • Washington
      • King County
        • Snoqualmie Mining District
          • Hansen Creek
    		Eric He's Collection
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