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Cooperite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

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Cooperite

Mokopane, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa

Cooperite, etc.

Minneapolis adit, J-M Reef, Stillwater County, Montana, USA

Cooperite, etc.

Merensky Reef, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Cooperite

Mokopane, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa

Cooperite, etc.

Minneapolis adit, J-M Reef, Stillwater County, Montana, USA

Cooperite, etc.

Merensky Reef, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Cooperite

Mokopane, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa

Cooperite, etc.

Minneapolis adit, J-M Reef, Stillwater County, Montana, USA

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About CooperiteHide

Formula:

PtS

mostly S-deficient

Colour:

Steel gray to silvery white

Lustre:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic

Hardness:

4 - 5

Specific Gravity:

9.5

Crystal System:

Tetragonal

Name:

Named by F. Wartenweiler in 1928 in honor of Richard A. Cooper (1890–1972), South Africa, who first described the mineral.

Co-Type Localities:

ⓘ Mokopane, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa
ⓘ Rustenburg Town & Townlands Farm, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Dimorph of:

Braggite

Cooperite is different from braggite and contains only negligible admixtures of Pd and Ni - in contrast, braggite is stabilised by Pd (and Ni) contents.
There is a miscibility gap between cooperite and braggite (Merkle & Verryn, 2003).

Beside the main reflections corresponding to P4₂/mmc space group (small cell) there are weak reflections that fit the I4/mmm cell (large one); this latter cell has doubled parameters. There are 2 special positions statistically occupied by S atoms (Rozhdestvina et al., 2016).

Compare 'UM1978-17-S:IrOsPtRu' and 'Unnamed (Pt Sulphide)'.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

1123

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:1123:1

IMA Classification of CooperiteHide

IMA status:

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

First published:

1928

Type description reference:

Wartenweiler, F. (1928) Discussion on a new platinum mineral in the Rustenburg norites. Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical, and Mining Society of South Africa: 28: 281-283.

Classification of CooperiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):

2.CC.35b

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
C : With Ni, Fe, Co, PGE, etc.

Dana 8th ed.:

2.8.5.1

2 : SULFIDES
8 : A_mX_p, with m:p = 1:1

Hey's CIM Ref.:

3.12.44

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
12 : Sulphides etc. of the platinum metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Cpe	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
Cpa	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019)	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of CooperiteHide

Lustre:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic

Transparency:

Opaque

Colour:

Steel gray to silvery white

Hardness:

4 - 5 on Mohs scale

Hardness:

VHN₁₀₀=743 - 1018 kg/mm² - Vickers

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Distinct/Good
On {011}

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Density:

9.5 g/cm³ (Measured) 10.2 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of CooperiteHide

Anisotropism:

Strong, greenish gray to whitish yellow to brown gray and brown

Reflectivity:

Wavelength	R₁ (%)	R₂ (%)
400nm	40.9%	46.6%
420nm	42.0%	47.3%
440nm	42.6%	47.9%
460nm	42.7%	48.3%
480nm	42.2%	48.4%
500nm	41.5%	48.2%
520nm	40.4%	47.8%
540nm	39.4%	47.2%
560nm	38.5%	46.6%
580nm	37.8%	46.1%
600nm	37.2%	45.5%
620nm	36.6%	45.1%
640nm	36.0%	44.7%
660nm	35.6%	44.2%
680nm	35.1%	43.7%
700nm	34.6%	43.3%

Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 48.4%.
R₁ shown in black, R₂ shown in red

Colour in reflected light:

Light brown

Pleochroism:

Visible

Comments:

From white to creamy white to bluish white

Chemistry of CooperiteHide

Mindat Formula:

PtS

mostly S-deficient

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
Pt	85.884 %
S	14.116 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Pt, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of CooperiteHide

Crystal System:

Tetragonal

Class (H-M):

4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal

Space Group:

P4₂/mmc

Setting:

P4₂/mmc

Cell Parameters:

a = 3.4700 Å, c = 6.1096 Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 1.761

Unit Cell V:

73.57 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Distorted crystal fragments, irregular grains to 1.5mm

Twinning:

Occasionally

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	Year	Locality	Temp (K)
0012398	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012399	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012400	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012401	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012402	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012403	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012404	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012405	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012406	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012407	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0012408	Cooperite	Rozhdestvina V I, Ivanov A V, Zaremba M A, Antsutkin O N, Forsling W (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy Crystallography Reports 53 391-397	2008	Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East	293
0018175	Cooperite	Bannister F, Hey M (1932) Determination of minerals in platinum concentrates from the transvall by x-ray methods. _cod_database_code 1011334 Mineralogical Magazine 23 188-206	1932		293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Cooperite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Rozhdestvina V I'
'Ivanov A V'
'Zaremba M A'
'Antsutkin O N'
'Forsling W'
_journal_name_full 'Crystallography Reports'
_journal_volume 53 
_journal_year 2008
_journal_page_first 391
_journal_page_last 397
_publ_section_title
;
 Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization,
 ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy
;
_database_code_amcsd 0012398
_chemical_compound_source 'Sea of Okhotsk region, Maimakansk zone, Far East'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Pt1.012 S.988'
_cell_length_a 3.4710
_cell_length_b 3.4710
_cell_length_c 6.1084
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 73.593
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn     10.339
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P 42/m m c'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-y,-x,1/2+z'
  'y,x,1/2-z'
  'y,-x,1/2-z'
  '-y,x,1/2+z'
  'x,-y,z'
  '-x,y,-z'
  'x,y,-z'
  '-x,-y,z'
  'y,x,1/2+z'
  '-y,-x,1/2-z'
  '-y,x,1/2-z'
  'y,-x,1/2+z'
  '-x,y,z'
  'x,-y,-z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
Pt   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   1.00000
S   0.00000   0.00000   0.25000   0.98800
Pt   0.00000   0.00000   0.25000   0.01200

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.47 Å	(4)
3.02 Å	(100)
2.452 Å	(16)
2.291 Å	(4)
1.910 Å	(35)
1.754 Å	(20)
1.733 Å	(16)
1.525 Å	(6)
1.505 Å	(35b)
1.296 Å	(8)
1.233 Å	(16)
1.226 Å	(6)
1.152 Å	(8)
1.146 Å	(10)
1.137 Å	(10b)
1.032 Å	(16)
1.018 Å	(1)
1.005 Å	(6)
0.960 Å	(6)
0.956 Å	(10)
0.950 Å	(10)
0.940 Å	(10)
0.891 Å	(10)
0.878 Å	(4)
0.870 Å	(10)
0.867 Å	(4)
0.846 Å	(8)
0.840 Å	(8)
0.834 Å	(16b)
0.818 Å	(4)
0.790 Å	(16)
0.783 Å	(10)
0.778 Å	(25)
0.776 Å	(25)

Comments:

ICDD 18-972 Synthetic. See also ICDD 26-1303

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere	>4.45
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33)
Near-surface Processes
26 : Hadean detrital minerals
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals

Type Occurrence of CooperiteHide

Co-Type Localities:

General Appearance of Type Material:

Silvery white metallic to steel gray metallic.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

The Natural History Museum, London, England, number 1932,1301.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 101935.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Norites.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Braggite	Chalcopyrite	Cubanite	Daomanite	Native Gold
Isoferroplatinum	Keithconnite	Kotulskite	Mackinawite	Millerite
Pentlandite	Native Platinum	Pyrrhotite	Sperrylite	Tulameenite
Vysotskite

Reference:

Wartenweiler, F. (1928) Discussion on a new platinum mineral in the Rustenburg norites. Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical, and Mining Society of South Africa: 28: 281-283.

Synonyms of CooperiteHide

Cooperite (of Wartenweiler)

Other Language Names for CooperiteHide

Dutch:Cooperiet

German:Cooperit

Russian:Куперит

Simplified Chinese:硫铂矿

Spanish:Cooperita

Traditional Chinese:硫鉑礦

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

5 photos of Cooperite associated with Braggite	PdPt₃S₄
3 photos of Cooperite associated with Moncheite	Pt(Te,Bi)₂
2 photos of Cooperite associated with Isoferroplatinum	Pt₃Fe
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Malanite	Cu¹⁺(Ir³⁺Pt⁴⁺)S₄
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Pyrite	FeS₂
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Cherepanovite	RhAs
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Native Osmium	(Os,Ir,Ru)
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Native Platinum	Pt
1 photo of Cooperite associated with Kashinite	Ir₂S₃

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

2.CC.	Eliopoulosite	V₇S₈	Trig. 3 2 : P3₂ 2 1
2.CC.	Tilkerodeite	Pd₂HgSe₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.CC.	UM2007-26-S:CuFeIrNiPtRh	(Ir,Cu,Ni,Pt,Rh,Fe)₉S₁₁
2.CC.	Proxitwelvefoldite	Pd₃Ni₄Te₈	Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4₂/mnm
2.CC.	Ferrotorryweiserite	Rh₅Fe₁₀S₁₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.	Tamuraite	Ir₅Fe₁₀S₁₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.	Crowningshieldite	(Ni_0.9Fe_0.1)S	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.	Kuvaevite	Ir₅Ni₁₀S₁₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.	Torryweiserite	Rh₅Ni₁₀S₁₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.05	Achávalite	FeSe	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.05	Langisite	CoAs	Hex. 6 : P6₃
2.CC.05	Sederholmite	NiSe	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.05	Freboldite	CoSe	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.05	Nickeline	NiAs	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mcm
2.CC.05	Sobolevskite	PdBi	Hex.
2.CC.05	Jaipurite	CoS	Hex.
2.CC.05	Kotulskite	Pd(Te,Bi)_2-x (x ≈ 0.4)	Hex.
2.CC.05	Zlatogorite	NiCuSb₂	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m
2.CC.05	Stumpflite	PtSb	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.05	Sudburyite	PdSb	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.05	Breithauptite	NiSb	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.10	Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS	Mon.
2.CC.10	Smythite	(Fe,Ni)_3+xS₄ (x=0-0.3)	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
2.CC.10	Troilite	FeS	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.15	Ruthenarsenite	(Ru,Ni)As	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CC.15	Westerveldite	(Fe,Ni,Co)As	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CC.15	Modderite	CoAs	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
2.CC.15	Minakawaite	RhSb	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CC.15	Cherepanovite	RhAs	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
2.CC.20	UM1990-38-S:CuFeIrNiPtRh	(Ni,Fe,Rh,Cu,Ir,Pt)S
2.CC.20	Millerite	NiS	Trig. 3m : R3m
2.CC.20	Mäkinenite	NiSe	Trig. 3m
2.CC.25	Mackinawite	FeS	Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm
2.CC.30	Vavřínite	Ni₂SbTe₂	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mmc
2.CC.30	Hexatestibiopanickelite	(Pd,Ni)(Sb,Te) ?	Hex.
2.CC.35a	Vysotskite	PdS	Tet. 4/m : P4₂/m
2.CC.35a	Braggite	PdPt₃S₄	Tet. 4/m : P4₂/m
2.CC.45	Jacutingaite	Pt₂HgSe₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
2.CC.50	Imgreite	NiTe (?)	Hex.

Fluorescence of CooperiteHide

In UV light:

Not fluorescent in UV

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:

No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Industrial Uses:

Platinum ore.

Internet Links for CooperiteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-1123.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

Look for Cooperite on Webmineral

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for CooperiteHide

Reference List:

Wartenweiler, F. (1928) Discussion on a new platinum mineral in the Rustenburg norites. Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical, and Mining Society of South Africa: 28: 281-283.

Schairer, J.F. (1929) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 14: 338-340 (339).

Foshag, W.F. (1931) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 16: 409-410.

Bannister, F. A. (1932) Determination of minerals in platinum concentrates from the Transvaal by X-ray methods. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 23 (138) 188-206 doi:10.1180/minmag.1932.023.138.05

Foshag, W..F (1933) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 18: 79-79.

Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1944) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 1 - Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.258-259

Ramdohr, Paul (1969) The Ore Minerals and their Intergrowths. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1174pp. doi:10.1016/c2013-0-10027-x

Cabri, Louis J., Laflamme, J. H. Gilles, Stewart, John M., Turner, Kent, Skinner, Brian J. (1978) On cooperite, braggite, and vysotskite. American Mineralogist, 63 (9-10) 832-839

Criddle, Alan J., Stanley, Christopher J. (1985) Characteristic optical data for cooperite, braggite and vysotskite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 23 (2) 149-162

Verryn, Sabine M. C., Merkle, Roland K. W. (1994) Compositional variation of cooperite, braggite, and vysotskite from the Bushveld Complex. Mineralogical Magazine, 58 (391) 223-234 doi:10.1180/minmag.1994.058.391.05

Franklyn, C.B, Merkle, R.K.W (1999) Milli-PIXE of coexisting cooperite and braggite – a comparison with electron probe microanalysis. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 158 (1). 550-555 doi:10.1016/s0168-583x(99)00498-x

Verryn, S. M. C., Merkle, R. K. W. (2000) Synthetic "Cooperite", "Braggite", and "Vysotskite" in the system PtS-PdS-NiS at 1100°C, 1000°C, and 900°C. Mineralogy and Petrology, 68 (1) 63-73 doi:10.1007/s007100050003

Merkle, Roland K. W., Verryn, Sabine M. C. (2003) Cooperite and braggite from the Bushveld Complex: implications for the miscibility gap and identification. Mineralium Deposita, 38 (3) 381-388 doi:10.1007/s00126-003-0347-2

Shcheka, G.G., Solianik, A.N., Lehmann, B., Bieniok, A., Amthauer, G., Topa, D., Laflamme, J.H.G. (2004): Euhedral crystals of ferroan platinum, cooperite and mertieite-II from alluvial sediments of the Darya river, Aldan Shield, Russia.Mineralogical Magazine 68 (6): 871-885.

(2005) Cooperite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Ivanov, A.V., Palazhchenko, V.I., Strikha, V.E., Antzutkin, O.N., Forsling, W. (2006) Structural features and NMR 195Pt spectroscopy of cooperite monocrystals (natural PtS). Doklady Earth Sciences: 410(7): 1141.

Rozhdestvina, V.I., Ivanov, A.V., Zaremba, M.A., Antsutkin, O.N., Forsling, W. (2008) Single-crystalline cooperite (PtS): Crystal-chemical characterization, ESR spectroscopy, and 195Pt NMR Spectroscopy. Crystallography Reports: 53: 391-397.

Rozhdestvina, V. I., Udovenko, A. A., Rubanov, S. V., Mudrovskaya, N. V. (2016) Structural investigation of cooperite (PtS) crystals. Crystallography Reports, 61 (2) 193-202 doi:10.1134/s1063774516020176

Bowles, John F.W., Suárez, Saioa, Prichard, Hazel M., Fisher, Peter C. (2018) The mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of the alluvial platinum-group minerals of the Freetown Layered Complex, Sierra Leone. Mineralogical Magazine: 82: supplement S1: S223-S246.

Localities for CooperiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed.

- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.

- Good crystals or important locality for species.

- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Albania
Dibër County Bater-Martanesh mining district ⓘ Bulqiza Complex (Bulqiza Massif)	Zaccarini F et al. (PGE) +1 other reference

Australia
New South Wales Kennedy Co. ⓘ Fifield	Webb (2014)
ⓘ Kelvin Grove prospect	Johan et al. (1989)
ⓘ Owendale Complex	Ma et al. (2023)
ⓘ Owendale North Mine	5th International Platinum Symposium ...
Western Australia City of Karratha Karratha ⓘ Munni Munni Complex	HOATSON et al. (1992)

Brazil
Bahia Campo Formoso ⓘ Limoeiro mine	Mota-e-Silva et al. (2015) +1 other reference
Pará Curionópolis ⓘ Luanga Cr-Pt-Pd deposit	33rd International Geological Congress (2008)

Bulgaria
Blagoevgrad Province Blagoevgrad Municipality ⓘ Blagoevgrad placer deposits	Цинцов (1998)
Burgas Province Kameno Municipality ⓘ Konstantinovo	Atanasov (1990)

Canada
British Columbia Kamloops Mining Division Kamloops ⓘ Afton Mine	Robb (2020)
Liard Mining Division Dease Lake ⓘ Dease Creek	Canadian Mineralogist (2005)
Similkameen Mining Division ⓘ Tulameen River	Nixon et al. (1990)
ⓘ Placer Deposits	Nixon et al. (1990)
Vancouver Island Nanaimo Mining Division Comox District ⓘ Mt Washington mine
Ontario Kenora District Ring of Fire BMA527861 Area ⓘ Black Label deposit	Musa Karkus (2010)
Thunder Bay District Seeley Lake Area ⓘ Area 41 deposit	Good et al. (2017)
Québec Chaudière-Appalaches Les Appalaches RCM ⓘ Thetford Mines	Zaccarini F et al. (PGE) +1 other reference
ⓘ Lemelin mine (Gray mine)	Corrivaux et al. (1990)
Yukon Whitehorse mining district Kluane District ⓘ Burwash Creek	Fedortchouk et al. (2010)

China
Hebei Chengde Chengde County Gaositai ⓘ Gaositai Cr-PGE deposit (Gao District; Gaotai village)	Zuxiang (1997)
Fengning County Boluonuo ⓘ Hongshila Pt-Pd deposit (Hung District)	Zuxiang Yu et al. (1974) +3 other references
ⓘ Sandao village (Tao District)	Yu Zuxiang et al. (1974)
ⓘ Garnet pyroxenite occurrence	Yu et al. (2009)
Luanping County Damiao complex ⓘ PGE occurrence	Yu Zuxiang (1997)
Tiema-Habaqin complex ⓘ Daomanite locality	Yu Zuxiang et al. (1974) +1 other reference
Xinglong County ⓘ Shuangfeng village	Zuxiang (1996)
Tangshan Zunhua Co. Malan river valley ⓘ Unnamed Ni-Cu deposit	Yu Zuxiang et al. (1974) +1 other reference
Inner Mongolia Hohhot City (Huhehaote Prefecture) Wuchuan County ⓘ Huanghuatan Cu-Ni-Pt-Pd deposit	Guojun Liu and Jianping Wang (2004)
Xinjiang Yili Hasake Autonomous Prefecture Tacheng Prefecture (Tarbaghatay Prefecture) Tuoli Co. (Toli Co.) Sartohay (Sartokay; Sartuohai; Saertuohai) ⓘ Sartohay Mine	Zhu et al. (2019)
Yunnan Dali Midu County ⓘ Jinbaoshan Pt-Pd-Ni-Cu deposit (Jingbaoshan Pt-Pd-Ni-Cu deposit)	Bilun Luo (1979) +3 other references

Colombia
Chocó Department Condoto ⓘ Alto Condoto intrusion	Stribrny et al. (2000) +1 other reference

Ecuador
Carchi Province Awa Indian Preserve ⓘ Camumbi River gold placer	Barron et al. (2024)
Esmeraldas Province ⓘ Santiago River placers	Weiser et al. (1993)

Finland
ⓘ Lapland	Törroos Ragnar +1 other reference
Enontekiö ⓘ Miessijoki River	Kojonen et al. (2007) +4 other references
Inari Ivalojoki ⓘ Palsinoja	Kari Kojonen (2012)
ⓘ Sotajoki River	Kojonen et al. (2014)
Penikat complex ⓘ Paasivaara Reef	5th International Platinum Symposium ... +2 other references
Portimo complex ⓘ Kilvenjärvi Offset Sulfide-PGE Deposit	Andersen et al. (2006)
Sodankylä ⓘ Keivitsa intrusion	Törmänen et al. (eds.) +2 other references
Kevitsansarvi (Keivitsansarvi) ⓘ Kevitsa Ni-Cu-PGE mine	33 IGC excursion No 15 +1 other reference
Viiankiaapa mire area ⓘ Sakattilampi (Sakatti deposit)	Pelayo Barrón Francisco (2020)

France
New Caledonia Southern Province Le Mont-Dore Ouen Island ⓘ Ouen Island ophiolite	33rd International Geological Congress (2008)
ⓘ Chromitite body No. 3	Cano et al. (2025)
Pirogues River ⓘ Pirogues ophiolite	Economic Geology: 89: 1454-1468 +4 other references
Yaté ⓘ Ni River estuary	Auge et al. (1995)

Germany
Saxony Mittelsachsen Großschirma ⓘ Perzbach (Berzbach; Langhennersdorfer Bach) alluvials	www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.)

Greece
Central Greece Phthiotis Domokos ⓘ Agios Stefanos mine	Tsikouras et al. (2016)
ⓘ Othrys ophiolite complex	Zaccarini F et al. (PGE) +1 other reference
Thessaly Trikala Meteora ⓘ Pefki	Kapsiotis et al. (2011)

Greenland
Sermersooq ⓘ Kap Edvard Holm Complex	Arnason et al. (2000) +1 other reference

Japan
Hokkaidō Prefecture Rumoi Subprefecture ⓘ Obira coast	NISHIO–HAMANE et al. (2022)
Tomamae District Tomamae ⓘ Tomamae coast	NISHIO–HAMANE et al. (2022)
Sorachi Subprefecture ⓘ Sorachigawa	Stum & Tarkin (1976)

Madagascar
Atsinanana Antanambao Manampotsy District ⓘ Antanambao-Manampotsy area	Legendre et al. (1992)
ⓘ Ambodibonara Placer	Auge et al. (1992) +1 other reference

Mongolia
Uvs Province ⓘ Burgustain Gol	Oyunchimeg et al. (2009)
ⓘ Iljgen Gol (Iljgen River)	Oyunchimeg et al. (2009)

Myanmar
Sagaing Region Monywa District ⓘ Chindwin river	Hagen et al. (1990)

New Zealand
Southland Region Southland District Catlins Coast ⓘ Waikawa	Railton et al. (1990)
Orepuki ⓘ Longwood Range peridotite outcrops	5th International Platinum Symposium ...
ⓘ Round Hill	Railton et al. (1990)

Norway
Telemark Kviteseid Dalane copper and silver mines ⓘ ~~Spennivegg Mine~~	Neumann (1985)
Troms og Finnmark Karasjok ⓘ Storfossen	Bjørlykke (1966) +1 other reference

Philippines
Visayas Eastern Visayas Region Samar Island Eastern Samar ⓘ Llorente river	Oberthür et al. (2017)

Russia
Altai Republic Turochaksky District ⓘ Kaurchak River	Nesterenko +4 other references
Bashkortostan Burzyansky District ⓘ Kraka ophiolite	Zaccarini F et al. (PGE) +1 other reference
Uchalinsky District ⓘ Nurali complex (Nurali massif)	12 (12) +2 other references
ⓘ Unspecified gold placer	Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data 2018
Buryatia Baunt District Vitim Plateau ⓘ Aunik River	Airiyants et al. (2020)
Chelyabinsk Oblast Bredinsky District Gogino ⓘ Kazan Au-bearing placers	E.V. et al. (2025)
ⓘ Miass River	Britvin et al. (2001)
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug Bilibinsky District Kolyma area Bol'shoi Anyui River Basin Baimka River Aluchinskii Massif (Aluchin horst) ⓘ Baimka placer deposit	Gornostayev et al. (1999)
Pekul'ney Range (Pekul'nei Range) Northern Pekul'ney River (Northern Pekul'nei River; Northern Pekul'neyveem River) ⓘ Placer deposit	Rudashevskiy et al. (1983) +1 other reference
Irkutsk Oblast Bodaybinsky District Bodaibo Lena Gold District Kropotkinsky ore cluster ⓘ Sukhoi Log deposit	Distler V.V. et al. (2003) +2 other references
Kamchatka Krai Koryak Okrug Karaginsky District ⓘ Pustaya River	Tolstykh et al. (2000)
Olyutorsky district ⓘ Epilchik mafic-ultramafic complex	Sidorov et al. (2021)
Itchayvayam complex ⓘ Barany occurrence	Palyanova et al. (2023)
ⓘ Itchayvayam river	Palyanova et al. (2023)
Korf ⓘ Gal'moenan ultrabasic massif	Sidorov et al. (2004)
ⓘ Matysken complex	Cabri et al. (2022)
ⓘ Prizhimny Creek	Kutyrev et al. (2018) +1 other reference
Sobolevsky District ⓘ Mount Filipp	Tony Nikischer specimen +1 other reference
Ust-Kamchatsky District ⓘ Olkhovaya–1 River placer	Tolstykh et al. (2009)
Kemerovo Oblast ⓘ Koura River	Nesterenko +6 other references
ⓘ Shaltyr'-Kozhukh River	Zhmodik et al. (2016)
Khabarovsk Krai Ayano-Maysky district ⓘ Chad Massif	Pekov (1998)
ⓘ Konder alkaline-ultrabasic massif	Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference
ⓘ Anomal’niy Cu-PGE deposit	Kasatkin et al. (2025)
Krasnoyarsk Krai Taymyrskiy Autonomous Okrug Taimyr Peninsula ⓘ Norilsk-Talnakh Mining Region	Anthony et al. (1990) +2 other references
ⓘ Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit	Gritsenko et al. (2022)
ⓘ Komsomol'skii Mine	Pekov (1998)
ⓘ Oktyabrsky Mine	Spiridonov et al. (2020)
ⓘ Skalisty mine	Tolstykh et al. (2021)
Western Sayan range ⓘ Idgimsky gabbro- peridotite-pyroxenite complex	Cherkasova et al. (2014, August)
ⓘ Kizir-Burluksky massif	Yurichev et al. (2021)
Yermakovsky District ⓘ Bolshoy Khailyk River placers	Barkov et al. (2018) +2 other references
ⓘ River Rudnaya	Barkov et al. (2018)
Murmansk Oblast Imandra layered complex (Imandrovsky layered intrusion) ⓘ Mount Bol’shaya Varaka chromitite deposit	Barkov et al. (2004)
Kovdorsky District ⓘ Kovdor Massif	Sorokhtina et al. (2021)
ⓘ Monche tundra intrusion	www.duke.edu (2003)
ⓘ Loypishnyun deposit	Chashchin et al. (2018)
ⓘ Monchetundra deposit	Grokhovskaya et al. (2009)
ⓘ Monchegorsk	Yury L. Voytekhovsky (2008)
Sopcha Massif ⓘ Monchegorsk Cu-Ni Deposit	Grokhovskaya et al. (2003)
ⓘ Pechengsky District	Chashchin et al. (2013)
ⓘ Volchetundra massif	Chashchin et al. (2013)
Primorsky Krai Khanka lake ⓘ Fadeevka river placers	Shcheka et al. (2007)
ⓘ Zolotaya river placers	Shcheka et al. (2004)
Republic of Karelia ⓘ Burakovskii Layered Complex	Grokhovskaya et al. (2005)
ⓘ Shalozerskoe (Kuk Ruchei) deposit	Grishaenko et al. (2007)
Kondopozhsky District ⓘ Vikshozero deposit	- (2014)
Northern Karelia ⓘ Kaalamo massif	Lavrov et al. (2017)
Sakha Aldan ⓘ Inagli Massif	Karup-Møller et al. (2007)
Anabar River basin ⓘ Mayat-Vodorazdel’nyi	Airiyants et al. (2014)
ⓘ Darya River sediments	Geological Society of America Abstracts ... +1 other reference
Sverdlovsk Oblast Kachkanar ⓘ Svetloborsky intrusion	Stepanov et al. (2023)
ⓘ Veresovoborsky intrusion	Stepanov et al. (2019) +1 other reference
Nizhnyaya Tura ⓘ Veresovka River	Stepanov et al. (2019)
ⓘ Veresovyi Bor	Stepanov et al. (2020)
Novolyalinsky District ⓘ Kytlym complex (Kytlym massif)	Garuti et al. (2002)
Yekaterinburg ⓘ Uktus complex	9th International platinum symposium Chromite-PGE mineralization in the Uktus Alaskan-Type Complex (Central Urals,) +2 other references

Sierra Leone
Western Area ⓘ Freetown layered complex	Applied Earth Science et al. (14) +2 other references
ⓘ Big Water	Bowles et al. (2018)

South Africa
ⓘ Bushveld Complex	... +1 other reference
Eastern Cape Alfred Nzo District Municipality Umzimvubu Local Municipality Insizwa ⓘ Waterfall gorge	Cairncross et al. (1995)
Free State ⓘ Carbon Leader reef	Cairncross et al. (1995)
Limpopo Capricorn District Municipality Blouberg Local Municipality ⓘ Aurora project	McFall et al. (2019)
Waterberg project ⓘ F-Zone	McCreesh et al. (2018)
ⓘ T-Zone	McCreesh et al. (2018)
Sekhukhune District Municipality Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality ⓘ Atok Mine	Schwellnus et al. (1976) +1 other reference
ⓘ Booysendal North Mine	McCall (2016)
ⓘ Driekop Mine	Cairncross et al. (1995)
ⓘ Helena Chrome Mine	Kottke-Levin (2011)
ⓘ Lesego project	Montjoie (2018)
ⓘ Maandagshoek Farm	Melcher et al. (2005)
Steelpoort ⓘ Onverwacht Mine	Cairncross et al. (1995)
Waterberg District Municipality Mogalakwena Local Municipality ⓘ Mokopane (TL)	Cabri et al. (1978) +2 other references
ⓘ Akanani prospects	Van der Merwe (2011) +2 other references
Mogalakwena Mine ⓘ Overysel deposit	Holwell et al. (2007)
ⓘ Sandsloot Mine	Holwell et al. (2006)
ⓘ Zwartfontein Pit	Frits van der Merwe (2012)
ⓘ Anglo American	Canham et al. (2025)
ⓘ Turfspruit farm	Hutchinson et al. (2005)
ⓘ Tweefontein Farm	Cabri et al. (1976)
Thabazimbi Local Municipality Thabazimbi ⓘ Amandelbult Platinum Mines	Cairncross et al. (1995)
ⓘ Northam Platinum mine	Roberts
ⓘ Zondereinde Mine	McCall (2016)
Mpumalanga Gert Sibande District Municipality Govan Mbeki Local Municipality ⓘ Evander goldfield	www.unileoben.ac.at (2004)
North West Bojanala Platinum District Municipality ⓘ Merensky Reef	Barkov et al. (2001)
Moses Kotane Local Municipality ⓘ Vlakfontein nickel deposit	Cairncross et al. (1995)
Rustenburg Local Municipality Marikana ⓘ Lonmin Marikana Mine	Dzvinamurungu (2012)
Rustenburg ⓘ Impala Platinum mines	Cairncross et al. (1995) +1 other reference
ⓘ Karee Mine	Junge et al. (2014)
Royal Bafokeng ⓘ Bafokeng-Rasimone Mine	Smith et al. (2013)
ⓘ Rustenburg Town & Townlands Farm (TL)	Zaccarini +2 other references
ⓘ Union Mine	Cairncross et al. (1995)
ⓘ Western Platinum Mine	Brynard et al. (1976) +1 other reference
ⓘ UG-2 Reef	Voordouw et al. (2010)
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality Naledi Local Municipality Vryburg ⓘ Morokweng crater (Morokweng Impact Structure)	Beckett-Brown et al. (2018)
ⓘ Witwatersrand goldfield	Cairncross et al. (1995)

Spain
Galicia A Coruña ⓘ Herbeira ultramafic massif	Madon et al. (1991) +3 other references

Tanzania
Kigoma Region ⓘ Kapalagulu Intrusion	Wilhelmij et al. (2016)

UK
Scotland Highland Caol and Mallaig Isle of Rum ⓘ Rum Central Complex ?	Power et al. (2000)
Fort William and Ardnamurchan ⓘ Sron Gharbh (Sron Garbh)	Graham et al. (2017)

USA
Alaska Bethel Census Area Goodnews Bay Salmon River - Red Mountain District ⓘ Snow Gulch	Min Mag (1997)
Kodiak Island Borough Tugidak Island ⓘ Southern beach placer	Belkin et al. (2021)
California Humboldt County Klamath Mountains Hoopa Indian Reservation Pekwuteu ⓘ Hoopa Indian Reservation placers	Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference
Mariposa County West Belt Hornitos Mining District Quartzburg Quartzburg School ⓘ Burns Creek Mine	Min Mag (1997)
Merced County Snelling Mining District Snelling Merced River ⓘ Snelling placers	Sjoberg et al. (1980) +2 other references
Stanislaus County Hughson ⓘ Unnamed PGE placer (1)	Sjoberg et al. (1980) +2 other references
ⓘ Knights Ferry	Sjoberg et al. (1980) +2 other references
Montana ⓘ Stillwater Complex	Canadian Mineralogist +5 other references
Stillwater County Blakely Creek ⓘ Frog Pond	Volborth et al. (1986)
ⓘ Graham Creek	Volborth et al. (1986)
J-M Reef (Howland Reef) ⓘ Minneapolis adit	Criddle et al. (1985)
Lost Mountain ⓘ Frog Pond	Volborth et al. (1986)
ⓘ Stillwater Mine	Gobla (2012)
ⓘ West Fork adit	Volborth et al. (1986)
Sweet Grass County ⓘ East Boulder Mine	Bart Cannon (cannonmicroprobe)
Wyoming Albany County Lake Owen Complex ⓘ Lake Owens Mafic Complex Occurrence (Lake Owens; Iron Mountain)	5th International Platinum Symposium ...

Zimbabwe
Mashonaland West Chegutu District ⓘ Hartley Mine	Stribrny et al. (2000) +4 other references
Masvingo Chiredzi District Chiredzi mining district ⓘ Makwiro River	Oberthür et al. (2003) +1 other reference
Midlands Shurugwi District ⓘ Umtebekwe River	Oberthür et al. (2013)
ⓘ Unki Mine	Wilson et al. (2001)
Zvishavane District Zvishavane (Shabani; Shabanie; Shavani) ⓘ Mimosa Mine (Wedza–Mimosa platinum deposit)	Wilson et al. (2001) +1 other reference
ⓘ Wedza Mine	Oberthür et al. (2013)

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Cooperite

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