Description

The main copper sulphide minerals are chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) chalcocite (Cu2S), covellite (CuS), bornite (Cu5FeS4), tetrahedrite ((Cu,Fe)*2Sb4S*3) and enargite (Cu3AsS4). The largest source of this copper is from porphyry ore deposits in which one or a combination of the aforementioned minerals occurs.  the copper sulphide ore contains various levels of iron sulphide types that generally include pyrite (FeS2) and pyrrhotite (Fe*-xS).  gold and silver are present which may either be associated with the sulphides or are free. The gangue particles can consist of a range of silicate minerals from quartz to talc and clays. Carbonate mineral gangue can also be present