Definition of "chalcopyrite" []

• A yellow mineral, essentially CuFeS2, that is an important ore of copper. Also called copper pyrites. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The ore body grades below into a zone characterized by lean chalcopyrite, which is supposed to represent original or primary deposition from hot waters associated with the porphyry intrusion."
• "The copper in these deposits occurs as primary chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) or the important secondary copper mineral chalcocite (Cu2S)."
• "~ Much of the copper of commerce is made from chalcopyrite and bornite, and these ores are more difficult to work."