chalcocite

American  

[kal-kuh-sahyt] / ˈkæl kəˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a common mineral, cuprous sulfide, Cu 2 S: an important ore of copper.

---

chalcocite British  

/ ˈkælkəˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a lead-grey or black mineral, found as a copper ore or in veins. It is a source of copper. Composition: copper sulphide. Formula: Cu 2 S. Crystal structure: orthorhombic

---

Etymology

Origin of chalcocite

1865–70; irregular chalco- + (anthra)cite

Example Sentences

The production of copper from chalcocite is performed by roasting the Cu2S in air to produce the Cu.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Orvana has received approval to mine chalcocite, a mineral that is primarily copper, in a project here that the company says will create $2 billion in economic activity over 20 years.

From New York Times • May 25, 2012

Ores.—The principal ores of copper are the oxides cuprite and melaconite, the carbonates malachite and chessylite, the basic chloride atacamite, the silicate chrysocolla, the sulphides chalcocite, chalcopyrite, erubescite and tetrahedrite.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

The natural inference was that as the veins were followed deeper the proportion of chalcocite would rapidly diminish, and that a leaner primary zone of chalcopyrite, enargite and other primary minerals would be met.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

While some chalcocite is clearly the result of secondary enrichment from above, other chalcocite seems to have been related closely to the primary deposition.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)