Pyrrhotite is a non-stoichiometric iron sulfide commonly represented as Fe1-xS. It is widespread in magmatic and metamorphic sulfide systems and commonly accompanies pentlandite and chalcopyrite in Ni-Cu and Ni-Cu-PGE deposits. Although often not the primary economic mineral, pyrrhotite can strongly influence ore behavior, magnetic separation, flotation, sulfur balance, concentrate quality, and environmental management.
These elements are often found is this element in the following Deposit Types:
Deposit Type: Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Sulfide - Magmatic sulfide deposits enriched in nickel, copper, and platinum-group elements (PGE) within mafic-ultramafic systems.
Pyrrhotite is part of the principal sulfide assemblage concentrated during processing; palladium may occur within major sulfides and/or in discrete PGE minerals.
Deposit Type: Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Sulfide - Magmatic sulfide deposits enriched in nickel, copper, and platinum-group elements (PGE) within mafic-ultramafic systems.
Pyrrhotite is part of the sulfide assemblage recovered to concentrate; platinum is commonly also present in discrete PGE minerals rather than being a major structural component of pyrrhotite.