Tennantite-(Cu)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tennantite-(Cu)
Formula:
Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12S
Note that the Cu in tennantite-(Cu) is of mixed valence (A, B, C refer to the group formula):
A = Cu+;
B = Cu+;
C = Cu2+
A = Cu+;
B = Cu+;
C = Cu2+
Colour:
Black
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.656 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named according to the IMA recommended nomenclature for the tetrahedrite group, indicating its relationship to other tennantite subgroup species and the predominance of copper.
Cu-dominant member of the tennantite subgroup.
The As analogue of tetrahedrite-(Cu).
Rare in nature, but well-known as a synthetic phase. Previously named "Cu-excess" tennantite (the term was coined by Marcoux et al., 1994). The As analogue of (presently unnamed) "Cu-excess" tetrahedrite.
Makovicky et al. (2005) consider tennantite-(Cu) a rare case of formation from late hydrothermal solutions devoid of ubiquitous Fe, Zn and other divalent elements, which usually enter tennantite as electron donors.
In contrast, Repstock et al. (2015) consider the mineral to have formed (at the Pefka, Greece, deposit) under relatively high-temperature (> 280°C), high-sulfidation, oxidizing conditions (see also Voudouris et al., 2022).
The As analogue of tetrahedrite-(Cu).
Rare in nature, but well-known as a synthetic phase. Previously named "Cu-excess" tennantite (the term was coined by Marcoux et al., 1994). The As analogue of (presently unnamed) "Cu-excess" tetrahedrite.
Makovicky et al. (2005) consider tennantite-(Cu) a rare case of formation from late hydrothermal solutions devoid of ubiquitous Fe, Zn and other divalent elements, which usually enter tennantite as electron donors.
In contrast, Repstock et al. (2015) consider the mineral to have formed (at the Pefka, Greece, deposit) under relatively high-temperature (> 280°C), high-sulfidation, oxidizing conditions (see also Voudouris et al., 2022).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
55386
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55386:3
Similar Names
| Pennantite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Mn52+Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| Tennantit | A synonym of Tennantite Subgroup | |
| Tennantite-(Cd) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12S |
| Tennantite-(Fe) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu4Fe22+)As4S12S |
| Tennantite-(Hg) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12S |
| Tennantite-(In) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu5In)As4S13 |
| Tennantite-(Mn) | A valid IMA mineral species - pending publication | Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12S |
| Tennantite-(Ni) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12S |
| Tennantite-(Zn) | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S |
IMA Classification of Tennantite-(Cu)
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu1+6(Cu1+4Cu2+2)As3+4S2-13
Approval year:
2021
First published:
2022
Approval history:
IMA No. 2020-096
Classification of Tennantite-(Cu)
2.GB.
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
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
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tnt-Cu | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Tnt | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Tn | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Tennantite-(Cu)
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Comment:
By analogy with other tetrahedrites.
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.656 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured due to small grain size and admixture with other species.
Optical Data of Tennantite-(Cu)
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 400nm | 30.7% |
| 420nm | 30.4% |
| 440nm | 30.0% |
| 460nm | 29.3% |
| 470nm | 29.1% |
| 480nm | 28.9% |
| 500nm | 28.7% |
| 520nm | 28.6% |
| 540nm | 28.4% |
| 546nm | 28.4% |
| 560nm | 28.2% |
| 580nm | 27.7% |
| 589nm | 27.4% |
| 600nm | 27.0% |
| 620nm | 26.2% |
| 640nm | 25.4% |
| 650nm | 25.0% |
| 660nm | 24.6% |
| 680nm | 23.9% |
| 700nm | 23.4% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 30.7%.
Colour in reflected light:
Grey with bluish shade
Chemistry of Tennantite-(Cu)
Mindat Formula:
Cu6(Cu4Cu2)As4S12S
Note that the Cu in tennantite-(Cu) is of mixed valence (A, B, C refer to the group formula):
A = Cu+;
B = Cu+;
C = Cu2+
Note that the Cu in tennantite-(Cu) is of mixed valence (A, B, C refer to the group formula):
A = Cu+;
B = Cu+;
C = Cu2+
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Tennantite-(Cu)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
43m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I43m
Setting:
I43m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.1710(10) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,052.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
For natural "copper-rich unsubstituted tennantite, Cu12.5As4S13", from Argentina, Makovicky et al. (2005) give a = 10.1756 Å.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.152 Å | (4) |
| 2.936 Å | (100) |
| 2.543 Å | (18) |
| 1.995 Å | (4) |
| 1.857 Å | (8) |
| 1.798 Å | (43) |
| 1.650 Å | (4) |
| 1.533 Å | (21) |
Type Occurrence of Tennantite-(Cu)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Anhedral grains, up to 0.1 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collections of (1) the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, National Museum in Prague, Cirkusová 1740, 19300 Praha 9, Czech Republic, catalogue number P1P 74/2020, (2) the Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 79, Calci (PI), catalogue number 19925, and (3) the Mineralogical Museum (MINES ParisTech) of Ecole des Mines de Paris, 60 Blvd. Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris, France, catalogue number ENSMP 83990.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Epithermal deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tennantite-(Cu)
Other Language Names for Tennantite-(Cu)
Dutch:Tennantiet-(Cu)
German:Tennantit-(Cu)
Relationship of Tennantite-(Cu) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tennantite Subgroup:
| Tennantite-(Cd) | Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12S | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Tennantite-(Fe) | Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12S | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Tennantite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12S | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Tennantite-(In) | Cu6(Cu5In)As4S13 | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Tennantite-(Mn) | Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12S | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Tennantite-(Ni) | Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12S | Iso. 43m : I43m |
| Tennantite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S | Iso. 43m : I43m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with 'Cobalt-bearing Smithsonite' | (Zn,Co)CO3 |
| 1 photo of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 1 photo of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with Enargite | Cu3AsS4 |
| 1 photo of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with Vinciennite | Cu+7Cu2+3Fe2+2Fe3+2Sn(As,Sb)S16 |
| 1 photo of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with Bornite | Cu5FeS4 |
| 1 photo of Tennantite-(Cu) associated with Covellite | CuS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.GB. | 'Polybasite-Tac' | [Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB. | Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Zn) | [Ag6]4+(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12◻ |
| 2.GB. | Argentotetrahedrite-(Hg) | Ag6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Annivite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Bi4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Pošepnýite | (Cu+3◻3)(Hg2+4Cu+2)Sb4Se12(Se0.5◻0.5) |
| 2.GB. | Argentopolybasite | [Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9AgS4] |
| 2.GB. | Tennantite-(Mn) | Cu6(Cu4Mn2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Argentotetrahedrite-(Cd) | Ag6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Stibioústalečite | (Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)Se12Se |
| 2.GB. | Stibiogoldfieldite | (Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(Sb2Te2)S12S |
| 2.GB. | Argentotetrahedrite-(Zn) | Ag6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Tetrahedrite-(Cd) | Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Arsenogoldfieldite | (Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)S12S |
| 2.GB. | Arsenoústalečite | (Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)Se12Se |
| 2.GB. | Tennantite-(In) | Cu6(Cu5In)As4S13 |
| 2.GB. | Zvěstovite-(Fe) | Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Hakite-(Fe) | Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4Se12Se |
| 2.GB. | Tennantite-(Cd) | Cu6(Cu4Cd2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB.X | Kenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe) | [Ag6]4+(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻ |
| 2.GB. | Tetrahedrite-(Cu) | Cu6(Cu4Cu2+2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Hakite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4Se12Se |
| 2.GB. | Zvěstovite-(Zn) | Ag6(Ag4Zn2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Hakite-(Cd) | Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4Se12Se |
| 2.GB. | Kenoargentotennantite-(Fe) | [Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2)As4S12◻ |
| 2.GB. | Tennantite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Tetrahedrite-(Mn) | Cu6(Cu4Mn2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Tennantite-(Ni) | Cu6(Cu4Ni2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB. | Tetrahedrite-(Ni) | Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Hakite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4Se12Se |
| 2.GB.05 | Rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn) | Ag6(Ag4Zn2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Argentotennantite-(Zn) | Ag6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Argentotennantite-(Fe) | Ag6(Cu4Fe2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Freibergite Subgroup | (Ag6,[Ag6]4+)(Cu4 C2+2)Sb4S12S0-1 |
| 2.GB.05 | Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Tennantite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Tennantite-(Fe) | Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite-(Fe) | Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Tetrahedrite-(Hg) | Cu6(Cu4Hg2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Kenoargentotetrahedrite-(Fe) | [Ag6]4+(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12◻ |
| 2.GB.05 | Giraudite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4Se12Se |
| 2.GB.05 | Argentotetrahedrite-(Fe) | Ag6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S |
| 2.GB.05 | 'UM1992-21-S:AgFeSb' | Ag6(Ag4Fe2+2)Sb4S12S |
| 2.GB.10 | Selenostephanite | Ag5SbSe4 |
| 2.GB.10 | Stephanite | Ag5SbS4 |
| 2.GB.15 | 'UM2003-14-S:AgBiFeTe' | Ag16FeBiTe3S8 |
| 2.GB.15 | 'UM1979-17-S:BiCuFe' | ~Cu18Fe4BiS16 |
| 2.GB.15 | Pearceite | [Ag6As2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB.15 | Argentopearceite | Ag16As2S11 |
| 2.GB.15 | Cupropolybasite | [Cu6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB.15 | Fengruiite | [Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS2Te2] |
| 2.GB.15 | Auropearceite | [Ag9AuS4][Ag6As2S7] |
| 2.GB.15 | Selenopolybasite | [(Ag,Cu)6(Sb,As)2(S,Se)7][Ag9Cu(S,Se)2Se2] |
| 2.GB.15 | Polybasite | [Ag6Sb2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB.15 | Auropolybasite | [Ag9AuS4][Ag6Sb2S7] |
| 2.GB.15 | Cupropearceite | [Cu6As2S7][Ag9CuS4] |
| 2.GB.20 | Vorontsovite | (Hg5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12 |
| 2.GB.20 | Ferrovorontsovite | (Fe5Cu)Σ6TlAs4S12 |
| 2.GB.20 | Galkhaite | (Hg5Cu)CsAs4S12 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tennantite-(Cu)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-55386.html
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References for Tennantite-(Cu)
Reference List:
Cesbron, Fabien, Giraud, Roger, Picot, Paul, Pillard, François (1985) La vinciennite, Cu10Fe4Sn(As,Sb)S16, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Etude paragénétique du gîte type de Chizeuil, Saône-et-Loire. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 108 (3) 447-456 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1985.7841
Marcoux, E.; Milési, J. P.; Moëlo, Y. (1994) Vinciennite and Cu-excess tennantite from the Layo (Cu, Sn, As, Au) epithermal deposit (Southern Peru). Mineralogy and Petrology, 51 (1). p.21-36. doi:10.1007/bf01164912
Makovicky, E., Karanović, L., Poleti, D., Balić-Zunić, T., Paar, W. H. (2005) Crystal structure of copper-rich unsubstituted tennantite, Cu12.5As4S13. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (2) 679-688 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.2.679 [sample from Cerro Atajo, Argentina]
Di Benedetto, F., Bernardini, G. P., Cipriani, C., Emiliani, C., Gatteschi, D., Romanelli, M. (2005) The distribution of Cu(II) and the magnetic properties of the synthetic analogue of tetrahedrite: Cu12Sb4S13. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 32 (3) 155-164 doi:10.1007/s00269-005-0449-8
Catchpole, H., Kouzmanov, K., Fontboté, L. (2012) Copper-excess stannoidite and tennantite-tetrahedrite as proxies for hydrothermal fluid evolution in a zoned Cordillerian base metal district, Morococha, Central Peru. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (3). 719-743 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.3.719
Repstock, Alexander; Voudouris, Panagiotis; Kolitsch, Uwe (2015) New occurrences of watanabeite, colusite, “arsenosulvanite” and “Cu-excess” tetrahedrite-tennantite at the Pefka high-sulfidation epithermal deposit, northeastern Greece. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 192 (2). p.135-149. doi:10.1127/njma/2015/0276
Biagioni, Cristian, George, Luke L., Cook, Nigel J., Makovicky, Emil, Moëlo, Yves, Pasero, Marco, Sejkora, Jiří, Stanley, Chris J., Welch, Mark D., Bosi, Ferdinando (2020) The tetrahedrite group: Nomenclature and classification. American Mineralogist, 105 (1) 109-122 doi:10.2138/am-2020-7128
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2021) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) CNMNC Newsletter No 60. Mineralogical Magazine, 1-5 doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.30
Voudouris, Panagiotis; Repstock, Alexander; Spry, Paul G.; Frenzel, Max; Mavrogonatos, Constantinos; Keith, Manuel; Tarantola, Alexandre; Melfos, Vasilios; Tombros, Stylianos; Zhai, Degao; et al. (2022) Physicochemical constraints on indium-, tin-, germanium-, gallium-, gold-, and tellurium-bearing mineralizations in the Pefka and St Philippos polymetallic vein- and breccia-type deposits, Greece. Ore Geology Reviews, 140. 104348 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104348
Biagioni, Cristian, Sejkora, Jiří, Moëlo, Yves, Marcoux, Eric, Mauro, Daniela, Dolníček, Zdeněk (2022) Tennantite-(Cu), Cu12As4S13, from Layo, Arequipa Department, Peru: a new addition to the tetrahedrite-group minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, 86 (2) 331-339 doi:10.1180/mgm.2022.26
Localities for Tennantite-(Cu)
Showing 21 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Makovicky et al. (2005) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2022) |
| Schreieck et al. (2026) |
Bulgaria | |
| Kouzmanov et al. (2004) |
France | |
| Cesbron et al. (1985) |
Germany | |
| Witzke (2024) |
Greece | |
| Repstock et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Balestra-Campostrini-Vignola +1 other reference |
| Castellaro-Kampf |
Namibia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
Peru (TL) | |
| Marcoux et al. (1994) +2 other references |
| Catchpole et al. (2012) |
Russia | |
| Nagornaya et al. (2021) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2023) |
| Kuzhuget et al. (2022) |
Slovakia | |
| Števko M. (2022) |
| Števko M. (2022) | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Sejkora et al. (2024) | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Malcherek et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
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Mauterndorf quarry, Mauterndorf quarries, Mauterndorf, Tamsweg District, Salzburg, Austria