Cattierite

Cattierite
General
Category	Sulfide mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	CoS2
Strunz classification	2.EB.05a
Crystal symmetry	Isometric diploidal H-M symbol: (2/m3) Space group: P a3
Unit cell	a = 5.52 Å; Z=4
Identification
Color	Pink to grayish white
Crystal habit	Cubic crystals and granular intergrowths
Crystal system	Cubic
Cleavage	Perfect on {001}
Mohs scale hardness	4
Luster	Metallic
Diaphaneity	Opaque
Specific gravity	4.82
Optical properties	Isotropic
References

Cattierite (CoS₂) is a cobalt sulfide mineral found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was discovered together with the nickel sulfide vaesite by Johannes F. Vaes, a Belgian mineralologist and named after Felicien Cattier, Chairman of the Board, Union Miniere du Haut Katanga.

The mineral belongs to the pyrite group, in which all minerals share the same building principle. The metal in the oxidation state +2 forms a sodium chloride structure together with the anion S₂²⁻. This formalism recognizes that the sulfur atoms in pyrite occur in pairs with clear S-S bonds.

It occurs with pyrite, chalcopyrite and members of the linnaeite – polydymite group in ore deposits in carbonate rocks. In addition to the type locality in the Katanga district it is reported from Gansberg, Black Forest, Germany; near Filipstad, Varmland, Sweden; Bald Knob, near Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina and in the Fletcher mine of Reynolds County, Missouri.