Stannite Stannite Stannite is a mineral, a sulfide of copper, iron, and tin. The chemical formula CuFeSnS. Zinc commonly occurs with the iron and trace germanium may be present. Stannite is used as an ore of tin, consisting of approximately 28% tin, 13% iron, 30% copper, 30% sulfur by mass. It is found in tin-bearing, hydrothermal vein deposits occurring with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, cassiterite, and wolframite. It is also known as "bell metal ore" as tin is an important constituent of bell-metal. It is thought the exploitation of tin deposits in Cornwall led to an expansion in bell founding.
Ore genesis classified hydrothermal deposits as "hypothermal", "mesothermal", "epithermal", and "telethermal". Epithermal deposits are hydrothermal ore deposits formed at low temperatures (50-200 °C) near the Earth´s surface (<1500 m), that fill veins, breccias, and stockworks. The age of formation of epithermal deposits in México is currently being investigated. "As they require the conjunction of specific environmental conditions to form, particular mineral deposit types tend to occupy specific geodynamic niches," therefore, this page has been organised by metal commodity. It is also possible to organise theories the other way, namely according to geological criteria of formation. Often ores of the same metal can