7 common types of antimony ore

Antimony ores (Sb) exist in various mineral forms. Below are the common types of antimony ores:

1. Stibnite (Sb₂S₃):
Description: The most important antimony ore, containing about 71.4% antimony by weight.
Characteristics: Silver-gray color with a metallic luster, often found in columnar crystals or granular masses.
Occurrence: Commonly found in hydrothermal veins under low to moderate temperature conditions.

2. Valentinite (Sb₂O₃):
Description: An oxide form of antimony, usually formed through the oxidation of stibnite.
Characteristics: White or pale gray crystals with no metallic luster.
Applications: Used in alloy production and as a flame retardant.

3. Senarmontite (Sb₂O₃):
Description: A polymorph of antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃).
Characteristics: White cubic crystals.
Occurrence: Rarer than valentinite and often found in weathered zones.

4. Cervantite (Sb₂O₄):
Description: An oxidized antimony mineral.
Characteristics: Yellow to orange-yellow color, often found in weathered zones of antimony veins.

5. Tetrahedrite (Cu₁₂Sb₄S₁₃):
Description: A mixed ore containing copper and antimony.
Characteristics: Gray to silver color with metallic luster.
Occurrence: Found in hydrothermal veins alongside stibnite.

6. Jamesonite (Pb₄FeSb₆S₁₄):
Description: A sulfide mineral containing lead, iron, and antimony.
Characteristics: Silvery-gray color with metallic luster, occurring in fibrous or granular forms.
Occurrence: Associated with sulfide-rich hydrothermal veins.

7. Kermesite (Sb₂S₂O):
Description: A rare oxy-sulfide mineral of antimony.
Characteristics: Dark red or reddish-brown color with a metallic sheen.
Occurrence: Typically found in weathered zones of antimony-bearing ores.

Summary
The most common antimony ores are stibnite (Sb₂S₃) and oxide forms such as valentinite and senarmontite.
Other ores like tetrahedrite and jamesonite contain antimony but are not primary sources for its extraction.
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