Pentlandite
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Mineral NamePentlandite
Chemical Formula(Fe,Ni)9S8
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorbronzy black to dark brown
Cleavagenone
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity4.8
Colorsbronze-yellow, light bronze-yellow, yellowish-brown
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalitySudbury, Ontario, Canada (type locality); also Evje-Iveland, Norway (Flåt mine)
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usesmajor ore of nickel, ore of cobalt
Associated Mineralspyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, chromite
Raritycommon
Description
Pentlandite is a bronze-yellow to yellowish-brown metallic sulfide mineral, typically found in massive or granular aggregates. It is a primary ore of nickel.
Geological Context
It forms in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks, crystallizing from sulfide melts that separate from silicate magma, often found in magmatic sulfide deposits. The Evje-Iveland area in Norway is known for such deposits, including the Flåt Nickel Mine.
