The tetrahedrite-freibergite series, with reference to the Mount Isa Pb-Zn-Ag orebody

Abstract

Twenty eight electron microprobe analyses of freibergite from the Mount Isa (Queensland) Pb-Zn-Ag stratiform orebody, range in silver content from 18.4 to 42.5 wt. % Ag. These values significantly extend the tetrahedrite-freibergite series. The compositional range based on twenty-one complete analyses is indicated by the formula (Ag,Cu)9.21–11.44(Fe,Zn)1.59–2.31(Sb,As)3.87–4.43S13.0. As far as could be determined, Mount Isa freibergite is homogeneous and no marked compositional changes were detected either across individual grains, or in different grains of the same electron microprobe sample. The linear, atom for atom, replacement of copper by silver reported for lower silver bearing tetrahedrites continues in Mount Isa freibergite. A maximum silver content of about 51 wt. % Ag is predicted. X-ray investigations indicate however that in contrast to the structural expansion with increasing silver content reported for argentian tetrahedrite, Mount Isa freibergite contracts with increase in silver. The extrapolated lattice parameter for the theoretical freibergite (Ag10(Fe,Zn)2Sb4S13) end member is of the same order as tetrahedrite.