sulphides

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sulphides A group of minerals in which the element sulphur (S) is in combination with one or more metallic elements. Simple sulphides include the common ore minerals galena (PbS), sphalerite (ZnS), and pyrite (FeS2). Two metallic cations may also be present, as in chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). More complex combinations may also occur to give ‘double sulphides’ or ‘sulpho-salts’ in which metallic and metalloid or non-metallic elements are present in combination with sulphur, e.g. tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) and enargite (Cu3AsS4 or 3Cu2S.As2S5).