Trace Minerals in West Virginia Coals

Galena is a very rare trace mineral in West Virginia coals that almost always occurs as small void fillings in organic coal components such as semifusinite ("fossil charcoal"). Galena often fills these voids along with other minerals, both trace and major minerals, such as in the SEM photomicrograph shown here.  Voids in semifusinite in the Stockton coal were filled by in situ growths of kaolinite (Al₄(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₈), galena, chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) and sphalerite (ZnS).  Galena and chalcopyrite both grew within a single 30 µm opening. (Dots at the bottom of the photograph are each 10 µm apart.)
 

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Page last revised: March 1, 2002

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