COPPER ORES

Introduction:-

Several industrial types of copper ores are distinguished according to the mineral
composition the grain size of the minerals and the nature of their mutual interpenetration and
other factors. These ores are classified according to their chemical composition and the
presence of copper sulphides, oxides, carbonates, or sulfates into the following natural groups:
sulphide ores, oxide ores, and mixed ores. The sulphide ores, which account for 90 percent of
the world production of copper, are the most important.

Table 1.1 Chief Ores of Copper

ORES MINERAL COMPOSTION % OF Cu

Native Sulphides Native Copper Cu 100
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 34.5
Bornite Cu5FeS4 63.3
Chalcocite Cu2S 79.8
Covellite CuS 66.4
Tetrahedrite Cu8Sb2S7 52.1
Tennantite Cu8As2S7 57
Enargite Cu3AsS4 48.3
Oxides Cuprite Cu2O 88.8
Tenorite CuO 79.8
Carbonates Malachite CuCO3Cu(OH)2 57.3
Azurite 2CuCO3Cu(OH)2 55.1
Silicate Chrysocolla CuSiO32H2O 36

As a rule, copper ores are complex in addition non-metallic minerals (quartz, sericite,
barite), they often contain pyrite; pyrrhotite; the sulphides of zinc, lead, nickel, cobalt,
molybdenum, antimony, and other metals; and admixtures of trace elements, such as Cd, Se,
Te,Ga, Tl,Ge, In, and Re. The afore mentioned associated components, including also the S in
the sulphides, are of considerable value, sometimes as much as 50% of the value of copper
extracted from the copper ore.

Based on texture, ores are divided into 1)massive ores, which have a copper content of
more than 3 percent and which are suitable for direct smelting (content of other metals is
commercially insignificant), and 2) disseminated ores which are concentrated by means of
collective or selective flotation, frequently with the preliminary application of heavy
suspension. The hydro metallurgical method of processing lowquality, especially oxidized,
ores, including the application of various extracting reagents, is being increasingly used.
Physical Properties of Native Copper:-

Fig: 1.1 Native Copper Ore

Chemistry of Native Copper :

The chemical composition is Cu. In this one and only the

Copper atoms are present that is it belongs to 4th period and IB group bearing atomic number
29.

Chemical Classification : Native element

Colour : Copper red on a fresh surface, dull brown on a tarnished

surface

Streak : Metallic copper red

Lustre : Metallic

Diaphaneity : Opaque

Cleavage : None

Mohs Hardness : 2.5 to 3

Specific Gravity : 8.9

Chemical composition : Copper, Au

Crystal System : Isometric

Uses : Conducts electricity and heat; wiring, electrical contacts

and circuits; coinage, alloys.

Physical Properties of Chalcopyrite:-

Fig: 1.2 Chalcopyrite Ore

Chemistry of Chalcopyrite :

The chemical composition is CuFeS2. In this Fe atoms

th
which belong to 4 period and VIIIB group bearing atomic number 26 and combined with
Copper atoms which belong to 4th period and IB group bearing atomic number 29 and combined
with sulphur atoms which belongs to 3rd period and VIA group bearing atomic number 16.

Chemical Classification : Chalcopyrite

Colour : Brass yellow. Tarnishes to grey green, sometimes

iridescent

Streak : Greenish black

Lustre : Metallic

Diaphaneity : Opaque

Cleavage : Poor

Mohs Hardness : 3.5 to 4

Specific Gravity : 4.1 to 4.3

Chemical composition : Copper iron sulphide, CuFeS2

Crystal System : Tetragonal

Uses : The most important ore of copper for thousands of years

Physical Properties of Cuprite:-

Fig: 1.3 Cuprite Ore

Chemistry of Cuprite :

The chemical composition is Cu2O. In this Cu atoms

th
which belong to 4 period and IB group bearing atomic number 29 and combined with Oxygen
atoms which belong to 2nd period and VIA group bearing atomic number 8.

Chemical Classification : Oxide

Colour : Bright-red, maroon, brownish-red, dark red, purplish-

red, reddish-black, dark grey

Streak : Brownish red

Lustre : Adamantine or Submetallic

Diaphaneity : Translucent to Opaque

Cleavage : 3, all directions

Mohs Hardness : 3.5 to 4

Specific Gravity : 6.1

Chemical composition : Copper oxide, Cu2O

Crystal System : Isometric

Uses : The most important ore of copper

Origin:-
Most copper deposits have been formed by hydrothermal solutions with
replacement dominant over cavity filling, Contact metasomatism also gave rise to a few Cu
deposits. Oxidation and supergene enrichment process is responsible for the formation of most
of the Cu deposits. Sedimentation process also gave raise to a few Cu deposits.

Ores generally as

i) Veins or lodes – Singhbhum Cu ore deposits.

ii) Bedded deposits – Dariba of Rajasthan.
iii) Disseminated deposits – Kalyadi Cu ore deposits of Hassan at of Karnataka.
iv) Massive deposits – Khetri

Distribution in India:-

Singhbhum Cu belt of Bihar:-

It is a part of singhbhum shear zone of about 140km in length. There are six
mines from south – north such as Badia, Dhobani, Mosabani, pathargara and south surda. Host
rocks belong to Pre-Cambrian age they are Biotite, Chlorites Schists, Mica Schists, Phyllites,
Quartzites, Epidorites and Hornblende Schists. The main sulphides are Chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite
and pyrite. In Mosabani the grade of Cu is 2.3%. In other mines the average grade of Cu is 1.5.
The other mines in Singhbhum are Rakha and Tamapahar.

Khetri Cu Belt of Rajasthan:-

It extends for about 80km from singhana district to Raghunath garh.

Mineralization has taken place in the phyllite Schists and Slates of the Delhi
Super group. Structural features control the ore localization in these areas. The ore body occur
as enechelon ore shoots, stringers and also as disseminations.

The belt has four richly mineralized sections

1. Madhan-Kudhan
2. Koliahan
3. Akwali
4. Satkui

The important mining centres of Khetri, Kolihon, Chandamari and Dariba:-

In Khetri belt, Chalcopyrite, Pyrrhotite and Pyrite are the main sulphide
minerals along with the cobalt sulphides. The secondary Cu minerals are Azurite,
Malachite,Covallite, and Chalcocite. The average grade of Cu is 1.5%.
Andhra Pradesh:-
In Andhra Pradesh Agnigundala mineralized belt in Guntur district and
Mailaram in Khammam district are the important centres. In Agnigundala belt, Cu and Pb
deposits of economic position have been proved. The ore bodies are localised in thin beds of
calcareous quartizes, Dolamites and Nallamala group of Cuddapah Super Group. Structural
and lithological controls of mineralization were established.

Three major deposits are indicated in this belt. They are Bandlamotu, Bhukonda and
Nallakonda. The Cu deposits are confined to calcareous Quartzites and lead deposits occur in
dolomites. The ores occur as parallel encephalon lenticular lodes. The average grade is Cu is
1.8%.

In Mailaram Cu has been deposited Quartz veins of Archean age. The host rocks are Chlorite
schist and Amphibolites. Mineralization is reported along enechelon shear zones. The ore
occurs as veins, stringer and disseminations. Chalcopyrite is the main ore mineral. The average
grade of Cu is 1.35%.

Occurrence of Cu deposits is also reported from Gani-Kalka area of Kurnool district,

Garimanipenta in Nellore district, Zangamrajupalli Cuddapah district and Gajjalakonda.

Karnataka:-
In kanataka Ingladhalu Cu depostis occur around chitradurga. They occur in
ferruginous ehert bands intercalated with green stones. The mineralization is structurally
localized. Deposits also occur around Kalyadi in Hussan district, in quartzite bands in schists
and gneisses. Mineralization is reported to be controlled along shear and fracture zones. The
ore occurs as lenses, stringers and disseminations of chalcopyrite within Quartzites. The
average grade of Cu is 1.42%.

Madhya Pradesh:-
In M.P. large deposit of Cu is reported from Malanjkhand. The rock types
present here belong to Chilpi ghat sediments. Granite, basic dykes and Quartz veins of Archean
age. The Cu mineralization is along the fault zones. The main ore minerals are Chalcopyrite.
Pyrite with small amounts of Sphalerite, Chalcocite, Covellite, Molybdenite. The average grade
of Cu is 1.5%.

Recently GSI has reported the best quality of huge deposists of Cu is around Cochewati Strepar
and Waraseoni in Balghat district of M.P.

In Tamilnadu Cu deposits associated with Zinc are reported from Mamandur. The ore is
localised in the shear zone within gneisses and charnockite. The average grade is Cu is 1%.
Reserves:-
The aggregate reserves have been estimated at about 51 crore tonnes with a
metal contents of 56.6 lakh tonnes. The production of is chiefly from Bihar, Rajasthan,
Karnataka and Sikkim.

Industrial Uses:-
1. Historically, copper was the first metal to be worked by people. The discovery that it
could be hardened with a little tin to form the alloy bronze gave the name to the Bronze
Age.

2. Traditionally it has been one of the metals used to make coins, along with silver and
gold. However, it is the most common of the three and therefore the least valued. All
US coins are now copper alloys, and gun metals also contain copper.

3. Most copper is used in electrical equipment such as wiring and motors. This is
because it conducts both heat and electricity very well, and can be drawn into wires. It
also has uses in construction (for example roofing and plumbing), and industrial
machinery (such as heat exchangers).

4. Copper sulphate is used widely as an agricultural poison and as an algicide in water

purification.

5. Copper compounds, such as Fehling’s solution, are used in chemical tests for sugar
detection.
Fig: 1.4