Bismuthbearing

Bismuthbearing refers to rocks, minerals, and ore deposits that contain bismuth as an essential or accessory element. The term is used in mineralogy, geology, and mining to indicate the presence of bismuth without specifying a particular mineral species.

In mineral form, the most common bismuthbearing ore is bismuthinite, Bi2S3, a sulfide mineral that is a primary source of bismuth. Native bismuth, Bi, occurs in some hydrothermal veins and placers and can be the principal phase when present in metallic form. Bismuth also occurs in telluride and sulfide minerals that host other metals, such as lead, silver, tin, or tungsten; these minerals may be described as bismuth-bearing tellurides or sulfides.

Geological settings: hydrothermal systems, polymetallic veins, and porphyry and skarn deposits may host bismuth-bearing minerals; bismuth often occurs as trace to moderate amounts within polymetallic ore zones.

Extraction and uses: Bismuth-bearing ore concentrates are processed to extract bismuth metal and compounds used in pharmaceuticals (bismuth subsalicylate) and various industrial applications. Bismuth is typically recovered as a byproduct of processing other sulfide ores, such as those for copper or lead.

Identification and terminology: the characterization relies on mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, imaging). The phrase “bismuth-bearing” is not a specific mineral name, but a descriptor indicating the presence of bismuth.

See also: bismuthinite, native bismuth.