tungstenite

Tungstenite was first recognised at Tsumeb by Geier and Ottemann (1970b). Minute inclusions (c. 5 μm) of molybdenite were provisionally identified by ore microscopy in germanium-rich ore, more highly concentrated in the germanium sulphides but also present in bornite and chalcocite. However, electron microprobe scans showed that inclusions of both molybdenite and tungstenite were present; the two minerals are very difficult to distinguish optically.

Pinch and Wilson (1977) noted that tungstenite "… forms dark lead-gray microcrystalline bands near molybdenite." This observation appears to be based on Bartelke (1976) who cited an unpublished Tsumeb Corporation Ltd report from 1973 which mentioned the occurrence of tungstenite and molybdenite in cryptocrystalline bands.

chalcocite; bornite; germanite; molybdenite; renierite; sphalerite