Introduction: cubanite is a relatively high-temperature mineral often found in magmatic copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) sulphide deposits. It also occurs in medium to high-temperature hydrothermal veins, where it is typically seen as an exsolved phase in chalcopyrite. Cubanite is difficult to identify in polished section, especially in plane polarized light using standard lenses; under oil immersion and crossed polars it is easier to recognise. The paragenetic association with chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite is a useful diagnostic aid.

Occurrence in Wales: the first record of cubanite from Wales was by Gilbey (1968), who identified isometric cubanite inclusions in chalcopyrite in a polished section of sulphide-bearing material from a mine in the Dolgellau Gold-belt. More recently, work at the National Museum of Wales on Gilbey's samples has resulted in the confirmation of cubanite from a second mine in the same area (Mason et al., 2002). The host assemblage (pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite with sphalerite exsolution bodies) is widespread across the Gold-belt and it is likely that cubanite is of a wider distribution than has so far been recognised.

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