Pyrite: Difference between revisions

Pyrite is not very commonly mined for obtaining iron, more often it is mined for its sulfur content.  Pyrite is not mined for the iron possibly because it is not found in as large quantities as other iron ores such as [[hematite]] and [[magnetite]]. It is also not mined for the iron because the iron becomes brittle after being apart of iron pyrite and it therefore has no great purpose.  Other than pure sulfur sources, pyrite is the major sulfur provider.  During World War 2 sulfur was a needed chemical, and the mines containing sulfur, were running low, so Americans started using pyrite as a source of sulfur production.  The sulfur collected from pyrite during this time, was used to create [[sulfuric acid]] which is important as an industrial used chemical.<ref name=pyrite/> Another reason pyrite is mined is because it may sometimes contain gold and therefore is mined for the gold content.  Native Americans sometimes used pyrite as mirrors, they would take the pyrite and polish it, making it usable as a mirror.  Even during modern times, pyrite may be used decoratively as an ornamental stone.<ref name=themineralpyrite/> The main uses for pyrite are producing sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid.  The sulfur dioxide made by pyrite is mostly used in the paper industry.  While the sulfuric acid created from pyrite is used in the chemical industry.  Now, pyrite is becoming less used because other substances that are easier accessed are replacing pyrite.<ref name=geology.com/> Photovoltaic solar panels are a low cost solar panel created by copper sulfide and pyrite.  Historically, pyrite has been used to much more benefit than in modern times.  One characteristic of pyrite is it sparks when stricken against iron.  Ancient people have used this to do things such as start a fire.  In Greek and Roman culture, people would let pyrite weather and then boil the acid runoff with iron to make iron sulfate.  After firearms were invented, pyrite was used to ignite the gunpowder.<ref name=foolsgold> Greene, Eric. [http://www.treasuremountainmining.com/servlet/the-template/articles/Page?article=pyriteFoolsGold PYRITE (FOOL'S GOLD): IT'S FOR COLLECTORS, NOT FOR FOOLS!] ''Treasure Mountain Mining''. Web. Accessed on March 17, 2013.</ref>