Mineralogy of copper slags from the Petropavlovsky plant (Severouralsk, Sverdlovsk region)

The object of study includes the copper slags of the Petropavlovsk plant, which had been operated since 1760 to 1822 in area of an eponymous settlement, which was further transformed to town of Severouralsk (Sverdlovsk region). The composition of samples was determined using scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray spectral analysis. The slags are composed of fayalite-hedenbergite aggregates with iscorite, magnetite, glass, metallic copper, bornite, digenite (?), sphalerite and galena. Secondary mineralization includes cuprite, brochantite, barite and atacamite. The slags are a result of smelting of sphalerite-bearing chalcopyrite ores, which were extracted at the nearby Tur’ya mines and other small ore occurrences located in the vicinity of the Petropavlovsk plant.