Pyrolite: The Rare Lead Zinc Sulfide Mineral with High Melting Point and Resistance to Weathering

Pyrolite is a mineral species with the chemical formula PbZnS. It is a lead zinc sulfide mineral that crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. It is a rare mineral that forms in the oxidation zone of galena deposits, typically associated with sphalerite, calcite, and other lead and zinc minerals.

Pyrolite has a high melting point, around 700°C, and it is highly resistant to weathering. It is often found in the form of small crystals or grains, and its color can range from yellow to orange-red. Pyrolite is a minor ore of lead and zinc, but it is not widely exploited due to its rarity and the low content of these metals in its composition.

Pyrolite was first described in 1845 from the Harz Mountains in Germany, and since then, it has been found in several localities around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, France, and the United States.