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Goldfieldite

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Big Photo

Mohawk Mine, Goldfield District, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA
© JBS 2006

Show Goldfieldite Photos (11)



Formula:
Cu
 
12
(Te,Sb,As)
 
4
S
 
13
System:IsometricColour:Dark lead-gray
Hardness:3 - 3½
Member of:Tetrahedrite Group
Name:After the type locality, the Mohawk Mine, Goldfield, Nevada, USA.


Tetrahedrite Group.

Classification of Goldfieldite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.11-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.GB.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
B : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. with additional S
Dana 8th edition ID:3.3.6.6

3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.1.6

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
1 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Cu
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Type Occurrence of Goldfieldite

Type Locality:Mohawk Mine, Goldfield District, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA
Year of Discovery:1909

Occurrences of Goldfieldite

Geological Setting:Epithermal precious metal deposits

Physical Properties of Goldfieldite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Dark lead-gray
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=291 - 342 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Brittle
Density (calculated):4.95 g/cm3

Crystallography of Goldfieldite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:I4 3m
Cell Parameters:a = 10.304Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,094.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Massive, crusts
Structure
  Reference
Pohl D Liessmann W Okrugin V M (1996) Rietveld analysis of selenium-bearing goldfieldites Locality: Ozernoya deposit, Kamchatka, Russia. Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1996:1-8.

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More Crystal Structures
Click here to view more crystal structures at the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Chemical Properties of Goldfieldite

Formula:
Cu
 
12
(Te,Sb,As)
 
4
S
 
13
Idealised Formula:
Cu
 
12
Te
 
4
S
 
13
Essential elements:Cu, S, Te
All elements listed in formula:As, Cu, S, Sb, Te
Common Impurities:Ag,Fe,Zn,Bi

Relationship of Goldfieldite to other Species

Member of:Tetrahedrite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Argentotennantite
Ag
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]As
 
4
S
 
13
Freibergite
Ag
 
6
[Cu
 
4
Fe
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
13-x
Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
Hakite
(Cu,Hg,Ag)
 
12
Sb
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
Tennantite
Cu
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]As
 
4
S
 
13
Tetrahedrite
Cu
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
13
Common Associates:
TennantiteSylvaniteSphaleritePyritePetzite
MarcasiteKuramiteHessiteGoldFamatinite
ChalcostibiteChalcostibiteBismuthiniteAltaite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.GB.05Argentotennantite
Ag
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]As
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.05Freibergite
Ag
 
6
[Cu
 
4
Fe
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
13-x
2.GB.05Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
2.GB.05Hakite
(Cu,Hg,Ag)
 
12
Sb
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
2.GB.05Tennantite
Cu
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]As
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite
Cu
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.10Selenostephanite
Ag
 
5
Sb(Se,S)
 
4
2.GB.10Stephanite
Ag
 
5
SbS
 
4
2.GB.15Pearceite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(As,Sb)
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15Polybasite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(Sb,As)
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe
Ag
 
16
FeBiTe
 
3
S
 
8
2.GB.15Selenopolybasite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(Sb,As)
 
2
(S,Se)
 
7
][Ag
 
9
Cu(S,Se)
 
2
Se
 
2
]
2.GB.15Cupropearceite
[Cu
 
6
As
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15Cupropolybasite
[Cu
 
6
Sb
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
2.GB.15UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe
Cu
 
18
Fe
 
4
BiS
 
16
2.GB.20Galkhaite
(Cs,Tl)(Hg,Cu,Zn)
 
6
(As,Sb)
 
4
S
 
12
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
5.1.1Sinnerite
Cu
 
6
As
 
4
S
 
9
5.1.2Tennantite
Cu
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]As
 
4
S
 
13
5.1.4Chalcostibite
CuSbS
 
2
5.1.5Tetrahedrite
Cu
 
6
[Cu
 
4
(Fe,Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
13
5.1.7Emplectite
CuBiS
 
2
5.1.8Cuprobismutite
Cu
 
8
AgBi
 
12
S
 
24
5.1.9Wittichenite
Cu
 
3
BiS
 
3
5.1.10Hodrušite
Cu
 
8
Bi
 
12
S
 
22
5.1.11Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
5.1.11Permingeatite
Cu
 
3
SbSe
 
4

Other Names for Goldfieldite

Other Languages:
German:Goldfieldit
Russian:Голдфилдит
Simplified Chinese:碲黝铜矿
Spanish:Goldfieldita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Goldfieldite

Reference List:

- +
Ransome (1909), USGS Professional Paper 66: 116.

Sharwood (1911), Economic Geology: 6: 31.

Shannon (1917), American Journal of Science: 44: 469.

Tolman and Abrose (1934), Economic Geology: 29: 255.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 384.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 21: 1-10.

Shimizu, M. and C.J. Stanley (1991) Coupled substitutions in goldfieldite tetrahedrite minerals from the Iriki mine, Japan. Mineralogical Magazine: 55: 515-519.

Trudu, A.G. and Knittel, U. (1998) Crystallography, mineral chemistry and chemical nomenclature of goldfieldite, the tellurian member of the tetrahedrite solid-solution series. The Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 1115-1137.

Internet Links for Goldfieldite

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    • Localities for Goldfieldite

    The 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.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Argentina
     
    • Catamarca
      • Andalgalá Department
    		Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina. Vol. 1 (elements, sulphides and sulphosalts). (Asociacion Mineralogica Argentina); DE BRODTKORB, Milka K. Precious metaltellurides and other Te-bearing minerals in different paragenesis of Argentina: A review. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 365-372.
    PUTZ, Hubert; PAAR, Werner H and TOPA, Dan. A contributionto the knowledge of the mineralization at mina Capillitas, Catamarca. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 514-524.
    PUTZ, Hubert; PAAR, Werner H and TOPA, Dan. A contributionto the knowledge of the mineralization at mina Capillitas, Catamarca. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 514-524.
    • La Rioja
      • Sierra de Famatina
    		DE BRODTKORB, Milka K. Precious metaltellurides and other Te-bearing minerals in different paragenesis of Argentina: A review. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 365-372.
    Brotkorb (2002): las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina; Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2005): USGS Open-File Report 05-1060
    • Salta
      • Organullo Mining District
    		Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina. Vol. 1 (elements, sulphides and sulphosalts). (Asociacion Mineralogica Argentina); DE BRODTKORB, Milka K. Precious metaltellurides and other Te-bearing minerals in different paragenesis of Argentina: A review. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.64, n.3, pp. 365-372.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Narromine Co.
    		Allibone, A. (1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 495-512.
    Bulgaria
     
    • Pazardzhik Oblast (Pazardjik Oblast)
      • Panagyurishte (Panagurishte) Obshtina
        • Elshitsa
    		Bogdanov, K., Tsonev, D., and Kuzmanov, K. (1997): Mineralium Deposita 32, 219-229.
        • Panagyurishte
    		Strashimirov, S., Petrunov, R., and Kanazirski, M. (2002): Mineralium Deposita 37, 587-598.; Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    • Sofiya Oblast (Sofia Oblast)
      • Chelopech
    		Chambefort, I., and Moritz, R. (2007): Mineralium Deposita 42, 665-690.
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
    		Economic Geology; January 2005; v. 100; no. 1; p. 131-148
    China
     
    • Shaanxi Province
      • Shangluo Prefecture
        • Luonan Co.
    		Enkui Cao (1991): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 11(3), 278-280; Handong Qian, Wu Chen, Jin Huang, and Jiadong Xie (2000): Geological Journal of China Universities 6(2), 220-224
    Fiji
     
    • Vanua Levu
      • Wailevu
        • Yanawai Goldfield
    		Naden, Jon; Henney, P.J.. 1995 Characterisation of gold from Fiji. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 58pp. (WC/95/041) (Unpublished)
    Greece
     
    • Aegean Islands (Aiyaíon) Department
      • Kykládes Prefecture
        • Cyclade Islands (Cyclades; Kikladhes; Nomos Kikladhon)
          • Tinos Island
    		Econ. Geol. 102 (2007) 1269-1294.
    • Thraki (Thrace; Thracia) Department
      • Évros Prefecture
        • Alexandroupoli (Alexandroupolis)
    		Vodouris, P. C. (2011): Conditions of formation of the Mavrokoryfi high-sulfidation epithermal Cu–Ag–Au–Te mineralization (Petrota Graben, NE Greece). Mineralogy and Petrology 101, 97-113.
    Panagiotis Christos Voudouris, Vasilios Melfos, Paul G. Spry, Robert Moritz, Constantinos Papavassiliou und George Falalakis (2011): Mineralogy and geochemical environment of formation of the Perama Hill high-sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag-Te-Se deposit, Petrota Graben, NE Greece. Mineralogy and Petrology 103, 79-100.
          • Sappes Mine
    		Voudouris, P.; Tarkian, M.; Arikas, K. (2006): Mineralogy of telluride-bearing epithermal ores in the Kassiteres-Sappes area, western Thrace, Greece. Mineralogy and Petrology 87, 31-52.
      • Xánthi Prefecture
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Hungary
     
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Parádsasvár (Üveghuta)
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
        • Recsk
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
    Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido
      • Sapporo
    		 Polymetallic mineralization at the Shin-Ohtoyo Deposit, Harukayama District, Hokkaido, Japan, Imai, Akira; Matsueda, Hiroharu; Yamada, Ryoichi; Masuta, Kenzo, Resource Geology (Tokyo 1998), vol.49, no.2, pp.75-88, 1999
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Shimoda City
            • Rendaiji
    		Sakurai & Kato (1970) Kobutsu-Gakkai Koen-Yoshi (Abstract of the Meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Japan), 26.; Int Geol Congr (2008) Oslo. MRD-09
      • Tohoku Region
        • Aomori Prefecture
          • Shimokita peninsula
    		K Jouhou, #131 (15-4-2002)
    • Kyushu Region
      • Kagoshima Prefecture
        • Satsumasendai City
          • Iriki
    		M. Shimizu and C.J. Stanley (1991) Min. Mag. 55, 515-519.
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
    		Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    Papua New Guinea
     
    • Sandaun Province (West Sepik Province)
      • Frieda river complex
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2005): USGS Open-File Report 05-1060
    Peru
     
    • Pasco department
      • Pasco province
        • Tinyahuarco district
    		Economic Geology November 2009 vol. 104 no. 7 905-944
    Philippines
     
    • Luzon
      • Cordillera Administrative Region
        • Benguet Province
          • Mancayan (Mankayan) mineral district
            • Guinaoang
    		Trudu, A.G. and Knittel, U. (1998) Crystallography, mineral chemistry and chemical nomenclature of goldfieldite, the tellurian member of the tetrahedrite solid-solution series. The Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 1115-1137.
        • Ifugao Province
    		Knittel, U. (1989) Composition and association of arsenian goldfieldite from the Marian gold deposit, northern Luzon, Philippines. Mineralogy and Petrology, 40, 145-154.
    Romania
     
    • Hunedoara Co.
    		www.minerals-of-the-carpathians,2009
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180]
    V.A. Kovalenker, O.Yu. Plotinskaya (2005): Te and Se mineralogy of Ozernovskoe and Prasolovskoe epithermal gold deposits, Kuril – Kamchatka volcanic belt. Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology 43, 118-123. [http://www.geology.bas.bg/mineralogy/gmp_files/gmp43/Kovalenker.pdf]
      • Sakhalinskaya Oblast'
        • Kuril Islands
          • Kunashir Island
    		P.M. Kartashov data; V.A. Kovalenker, O.Yu. Plotinskaya (2005): Te and Se mineralogy of Ozernovskoe and Prasolovskoe epithermal gold deposits, Kuril – Kamchatka volcanic belt. Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology 43, 118-123. [http://www.geology.bas.bg/mineralogy/gmp_files/gmp43/Kovalenker.pdf]
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Orenburgskaya Oblast'
          • Mednogorsk District
            • Sakmara Zone
    		Vikent'ev, I.V., Moloshag, V.P. and Yudovskaya, M.A. (2006): Geology of Ore Deposits 48(2), 77-107.
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Žiar nad Hronom Co.
    		Ďuďa R., 1993 : Die mineralien der Gold und Silber - lagersttäte von Kremnitz ( Kremnica) in der Slowakei. Mineralien Welt /Haltern,Nemecko/,5, s. 20 - 32; Dill, H.G. (1998): Mineralium Deposita 33, 359-378.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		[MinRec 24:421]
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 237, 269; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
        • Tombstone Hills
          • Tombstone District
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison Co.
        • Vulcan District (Cebolla District; Domingo District)
    		Robert C. Smith, II Ph.D, P.G.
      • Hinsdale Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Montana
      • Silver Bow Co.
        • Butte District (Summit Valley District)
          • Butte
            • Berkeley Pit
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
        • Goldfield District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Donald Cooke
          • McMahon Ridge
    		Econ Geol (1989) 84:2115-2138
    Hatfield Goudey Collection - circa 1936
    ZVMO 107 (1978), 100; HB1 (1990); Econ Geol (1989) 84:2115-2138
    • South Carolina
      • McCormick Co.
    		Seal II, R.R., Ayuso, R.A., Foley, N.K., and Clark, S.H.B. (2001): Mineralium Deposita 36, 137-148.
    • Utah
      • Juab Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
          • Tintic District
      • Utah Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
          • East Tintic District
    		SEM-EDS analysis done by Frank Keutsch. Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne.
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Tashkent (Toshkent) Viloyati
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Kovalenker, V. et al New Data on Minerals (2003): 38: 45-56
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Pasi Eilu (2003) Exploration for orogenic gold deposits. Fennoscandian Exploration and Mining 2003 Rovaniemi, Finland December 2003
    Handbook of Mineralogy
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