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Argentotennantite

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Chisel Lake Mine, Snow Lake District, Manitoba, Canada




Formula:
(Ag,Cu)
 
10
(Zn,Fe)
 
2
(As,Sb)
 
4
S
 
13
System:IsometricColour:Grey black
Hardness:3½
Member of:Tetrahedrite Group
Name:For its silver content and relation to tennantite.


Tetrahedrite Group. Argentotennantite-Freibergite Series.

Classification of Argentotennantite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/C.11-20
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:3.3.6.7

3 : SULFOSALTS
3 : 3 <ø < 4
Hey's CIM Ref.:5.2.7

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

Type Locality:Kvartsitovje Gorki (Quartzite Hills) Au deposit, Aksu (Aqsu), Stepnogorsk, Akmola Province (Aqmola Oblysy; Akmolinskaya Oblast'), Kazakhstan
Year of Discovery:1986

Occurrences of Argentotennantite

Geological Setting:Polymetallic deposits

Physical Properties of Argentotennantite

Lustre:Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Grey black
Streak:Red-Brown to black
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=285 - 320
Density (calculated):5.05 g/cm3

Crystallography of Argentotennantite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:I4 3m
Cell Parameters:a = 10.584(3) Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,185.63 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Small grains, coating on tennantite.
Comment:Space group I-43m by analogy to tetrahedrite-tennantite.

Chemical Properties of Argentotennantite

Formula:
(Ag,Cu)
 
10
(Zn,Fe)
 
2
(As,Sb)
 
4
S
 
13
Essential elements:Ag, As, S, Zn
All elements listed in formula:Ag, As, Cu, Fe, S, Sb, Zn
Common Impurities:Pb,Cd

Relationship of Argentotennantite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Freibergite (see here)
Member of:Tetrahedrite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Freibergite
(Ag
 
4+2x
Cu
 
2-2x
)[(Cu, Ag)
 
4
(Fe, Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
12
S
 
1-x
 (0 < x < 1)
Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
Goldfieldite
Cu
 
12
(Te,Sb,As)
 
4
S
 
13
Hakite
(Cu,Hg,Ag)
 
12
Sb
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
Tennantite
(Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
 
12
As
 
4
S
 
13
Tetrahedrite
(Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
 
12
Sb
 
4
S
 
13
Common Associates:
TetrahedriteTennantiteStibniteSideriteQuartz
PyriteGoldGalenaFreibergiteAnkerite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.GB.05Freibergite
(Ag
 
4+2x
Cu
 
2-2x
)[(Cu, Ag)
 
4
(Fe, Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
12
S
 
1-x
 (0 < x < 1)
2.GB.05Giraudite
(Cu,Zn,Ag)
 
12
(As,Sb)
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
2.GB.05Goldfieldite
Cu
 
12
(Te,Sb,As)
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.05Hakite
(Cu,Hg,Ag)
 
12
Sb
 
4
(Se,S)
 
13
2.GB.05Tennantite
(Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
 
12
As
 
4
S
 
13
2.GB.05Tetrahedrite
(Cu,Fe,Ag,Zn)
 
12
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:

- +
5.2.1Smithite
AgAsS
 
2
5.2.2Trechmannite
AgAsS
 
2
5.2.3Proustite
Ag
 
3
AsS
 
3
5.2.4Xanthoconite
Ag
 
3
AsS
 
3
5.2.5Pearceite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(As,Sb)
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
5.2.6Pearceite-T2ac
5.2.8Miargyrite
AgSbS
 
2
5.2.9Pyrargyrite
Ag
 
3
SbS
 
3
5.2.10Pyrostilpnite
Ag
 
3
SbS
 
3
5.2.11Stephanite
Ag
 
5
SbS
 
4
5.2.12Polybasite
[(Ag,Cu)
 
6
(Sb,As)
 
2
S
 
7
][Ag
 
9
CuS
 
4
]
5.2.13Billingsleyite
Ag
 
7
AsS
 
6
5.2.14Polybasite-Tac
5.2.15Freibergite
(Ag
 
4+2x
Cu
 
2-2x
)[(Cu, Ag)
 
4
(Fe, Zn)
 
2
]Sb
 
4
S
 
12
S
 
1-x
 (0 < x < 1)
5.2.16Aramayoite
Ag(Sb,Bi)S
 
2
5.2.17Matildite
AgBiS
 
2
5.2.18Schapbachite
AgBiS
 
2
5.2.19Pavonite
(Ag,Cu)(Bi,Pb)
 
3
S
 
5
5.2.20Arcubisite
Ag
 
6
CuBiS
 
4
5.2.21Bohdanowiczite
AgBiSe
 
2
5.2.22Selenostephanite
Ag
 
5
Sb(Se,S)
 
4
5.2.23Benleonardite
Ag
 
8
(Sb,As)Te
 
2
S
 
3
5.2.24Volynskite
AgBiTe
 
2

Other Names for Argentotennantite

Synonyms:
IMA1985-026
Other Languages:
German:Argentotennantit
Spanish:Argentotennantita

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 Argentotennantite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist: 73: 439.

Moëlo, Y., Makovicky, E., Mozgova, N.N., Jambor, J.L., Cook, N., Pring, A., Paar, W., Nickel, E.H., Graeser, S., Karup-Møller, S.; Balić-Žunić, T.; Mumme, W.G., Vurro, F., Topa, D., Bindi, L., Bente, K., Shimizu, M. (2008): Sulfosalt systematics: a review. Report of the sulfosalt sub-committee of the IMA Commission on Ore Mineralogy. European Journal of Mineralogy, 20, 7-46. [on relation to freibergite]

Internet Links for Argentotennantite

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    • Localities for Argentotennantite

    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
     
    • Santa Cruz
      • Macizo del Deseado
    		Jovic, S.M., Guido, D.M., Schalamuk, I.B., Ríos, F.J., Tassinari, C.C.G., Recio. C. (2011): Pingüino In-bearing polymetallic vein deposit, Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina: characteristics of mineralization and ore-forming fluids. Mineralium Deposita, 46, 257-271.
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
      • Snow Lake District
    		2007 Manitoba Geological Survey Report of Field Activities
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
      • Huasco Province
        • Carrizo district
    		Tartakowsky A.(1928): "Descubridora o Carrizo, Departamento de Huasco"; informe preliminar": Caja de Crédito Minero, Vallenar, Chile.
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
    Ireland
     
    • Co. Tipperary
      • Silvermines District
    		Moreton, S. (1999) Mineralogical Record, 30, 99-106. Colin Andrew (Personal Communication)
    Italy
     
    • Lombardy
      • Sondrio Province
        • Valfurva
    		Bedognè,F,,Montrasio; A. & Sciesa;E. (2006): I minerali della media-alta Valtellina delle Orobie valtellinesi e della Val Poschiavo. Bettini, Sondrio, Italia, 255.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Akmola Province (Aqmola Oblysy; Akmolinskaya Oblast')
      • Stepnogorsk
        • Aksu (Aqsu)
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Mexico
     
    • Mexico
      • Mun. de Temascaltepec
        • Temascaltepec de González (Temascaltepec)
    		Camprubi, A., Canals, A., Cardellach, E., Prol-Ledesma, R.M., Rivera, R., 2001, The La Guitarra Ag-Au low-sulfidation epithermal deposit, Temascaltepec district, Mexico: vein structure, mineralogy, and sulfide-sulfosalt chemistry. Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication, v. 8, p. 133-158.
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • La Plata Co.
        • La Plata District (California District)
    		Josef Vajdak (2008) Mineral News, 24, #3, 15.
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