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Stannite is a mineral, a sulfide of copper, iron, and tin, in the category of thiostannates.

Background

The chemical formula is Cu2FeSnS4. Zinc commonly occurs with the iron and trace germanium may be present.[4] Stannite is used as an ore of tin, consisting of approximately 28% tin, 13% iron, 30% copper, 30% sulfur by mass. It is found in tin-bearing, hydrothermal vein deposits occurring with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, cassiterite, and wolframite.[2]

It is also known as bell metal ore as tin is an important constituent of bell-metal. It is thought the exploitation of tin deposits in Cornwall led to an expansion in bell founding.

The name comes from the Latin for tin: stannum. It was first described in 1797 for an occurrence in Wheal Rock, St. Agnes, Cornwall, England.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b "Stannite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy.
  3. ^ "Stannite". Webmineral data.
  4. ^ a b c "Stannite". Mindat.org.


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