CuFeS

CuFeS is a chemical formula that can represent several copper-iron sulfide minerals. The most common mineral represented by this formula is chalcopyrite, a copper iron sulfide with the chemical formula CuFeS2. Chalcopyrite is a brass-yellow mineral with a metallic luster and is the most abundant copper ore. It is found in hydrothermal veins, disseminated deposits, and contact metamorphic deposits.

Other minerals that can be represented by the CuFeS formula, though less common, include bornite (Cu5FeS4) and cubanite (CuFe2S3). Bornite, also known as peacock ore, is characterized by its iridescent tarnish. Cubanite is a bronze-yellow mineral that often occurs intergrown with chalcopyrite.

The presence of copper and iron in these sulfide minerals makes them economically important for the extraction of these metals. The mining and processing of CuFeS-bearing ores are crucial for global copper production. The geological conditions under which these minerals form are typically associated with magmatic and hydrothermal processes. Understanding the specific mineralogical composition within a CuFeS designation is important for accurate identification and resource assessment.