Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c45.s3.11

v2.c45.s3.11

Hemamākṣika or gold-coloured mākṣika, occurring around Kānyakubja, Tāptī river, etc., was most probably copper pyrite or chalcopyrite which could be reduced by organic materials such as sneha gavyājya (cow’s ghī or butter-fat) to produce the red metal, copper (2.85-2.89). Tāra mākṣika looked silvery and was probably iron pyrite.