Mineral 1.0: Copper

Mineral 1.0

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Mineral Picture courtesy of www.yuprocks.com

CopperCu

Class: Native element
Hardness: 2.5 - 3
Density: 8.9
Streak: Same
Lustre: Metallic
Habit: Massive, platey or dendritic habit.
Colours: Light rose on fresh surface, copper-red on tarnished surface
   Crystal System: Isometric
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Hackly
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: Weak
Identification in hand sample:
Colour and metallic characteristics are diagnostic.
Associations:
Found associated with mafic volcanic rocks, formed by reaction between Cu-bearing solutions and Fe-bearing minerals. Associated minerals are cuprite, chalcocite, bornite, epidote, calcite, chlorite and zeolites.
Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Used as electrical wire due to electrical conductivity and relatively low price.
Comments:
Obviously a source of copper, however most copper in modern times is mined from sulfide minerals.



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