75 - Molybdenite

Hello friends, Welcome to the Mineral Repository at the Department of Geology, Shivaji Science College, Nagpur. 

I am molybdenite, I am composed of molybdenum disulfide. I am soft mineral and appear as a metallic lead grey to silver grey mineral, with metallic lustre. I have a hardness of around 1 to 1.5 on Mohs scale of hardness. I show perfect cleavage in one direction. I am heavy mineral as compared to others. I am commonly found in hydrothermal veins associated with granitic intrusions and porphyry copper deposits. I am the primary ore of the molybdenum metal. I am used in lubricants, catalysts, electrical contacts and as pigments in paints. In my pure form I have semiconductor properties and is utilised in electronic and optoelectronic devices. In India I am deposited in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala , Madhya pradesh, Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu. Thank you for visiting.