Pentlandite is a mineral made up of iron and nickel sulfide, with the chemical formula Fe4NiS8. The word "pentlandite" is pronounced as /pɛntˈlændət/. The spelling of the word is based on the name of the Scottish geologist and mineralogist Joseph Barclay Pentland, who was the first to describe the mineral in 1847. The prefix "pent-" in its name refers to its chemical composition containing five atoms. Pentlandite is commonly found in rocks and ores associated with nickel and copper, and is an important source of these metals.
Pentlandite is a naturally occurring mineral that belongs to the nickel sulfide mineral group. It has the chemical formula (Fe,Ni)9S8, indicating that it is primarily composed of iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) along with sulfur (S). Pentlandite is commonly found in igneous rocks, particularly in ultramafic intrusive bodies, as well as in certain sedimentary deposits.
In terms of its physical properties, pentlandite typically appears as a brassy-yellow to bronze-colored mineral with a metallic luster. It is often found in grainy or massive formations and has a Mohs hardness of 3.5-4.5, making it relatively hard.
Pentlandite is an important ore mineral for both iron and nickel production. It is specifically valued for its high nickel content, often ranging from 20% to 40%, along with its significant iron content. This mineral plays a significant role in the extraction and processing of nickel, which is widely used in various industrial applications, including stainless steel production, batteries, and electronics.
Due to its economic importance, pentlandite is extensively mined across various regions worldwide. Notable deposits of pentlandite can be found in countries such as Canada, Russia, Australia, South Africa, and Norway.
In addition to its industrial significance, pentlandite also holds scientific interest as a mineral. Researchers and geologists study its crystal structure and occurrence patterns to gain insights into mineral formation processes and the history of Earth's geological evolution.
The word "pentlandite" is derived from the name of the place where the mineral was first discovered, Pentland Hills, located near Edinburgh, Scotland. The mineral was first identified there in 1845 and was subsequently named after its place of origin.