What Is Stannite Composed of?

Stannite, a sulfide mineral, chemical formula Cu₂FeSnS₄, that is an ore of tin. It is ordinarily found associated with other sulfide minerals in tin veins, as at Cornwall, England; Zeehan, Tasmania; and Bolivia. Stannite is a member of the chalcopyrite group of sulfides. Stannite crystals have tetragonal symmetry.

What is stannite used for?

Stannite is used as an ore of tin, consisting of approximately 28% tin, 13% iron, 30% copper, 30% sulfur by mass. It is found in tin-bearing, hydrothermal vein deposits occurring with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, cassiterite, and wolframite.

What are the ores of tin?

Ores. The principal tin mineral is cassiterite, or tinstone (SnO₂), a naturally occurring oxide of tin containing about 78.8 percent tin. Of less importance are two complex sulfide minerals, stannite (Cu₂FeSnS₄), a copper-iron-tin sulfide, and cylindrite (PbSn₄FeSb₂S₁₄), a lead-tin-iron-antimony sulfide.