Thermodynamic aspects of Fe-Cu-S mineralization in black shales: an example from the Fore-Sudetic copper deposit (Poland)

Abstract

A relatively simplified calculation method, presented on two and three dimensional diagrams of log a_Cu – log a_FeS2 - log f_S2 for the Cu-Pe-S system (T = 298 K, p = 1 bar), includes the regions and fields of stability for chalcocite, digenite, bornite, chalcopyrite, covellite, and pyrite (marcasite). The utility of the aforementioned diagrams for the interpretation of sulphide mineralization in black shales is demonstrated with Fore-Sudetic copper resources as an example.