40 Common Minerals And Their Uses - The National Mining .
40 Common Minerals and Their UsesAluminumThe most abundant metal element in Earth’scrust. Aluminum originates as an oxide calledalumina. Bauxite ore is the main sourceof aluminum and must be imported fromJamaica, Guinea, Brazil, Guyana, etc. Usedin transportation (automobiles), packaging,building/construction, electrical, machineryand other uses. The U.S. was 100 percentimport reliant for its aluminum in 2012.AntimonyA native element; antimony metal isextracted from stibnite ore and otherminerals. Used as a hardening alloy forlead, especially storage batteries and cablesheaths; also used in bearing metal, typemetal, solder, collapsible tubes and foil, sheetand pipes and semiconductor technology.Antimony is used as a flame retardant, infireworks, and in antimony salts are used inthe rubber, chemical and textile industries,as well as medicine and glassmaking. The U.S.was 87 percent import reliant in 2012.BariumA heavy metal contained in barite. Used asa heavy additive in oil well drilling; in thepaper and rubber industries; as a filler orextender in cloth, ink and plastics products;in radiography (“barium milkshake”); as adeoxidizer for copper; a sparkplug in alloys;and in making expensive white pigments.BauxiteRock composed of hydrated aluminumoxides. In the U.S., it is primarily convertedto alumina. See “aluminum.” The U.S. was100 percent import reliant in 2012.BerylliumUsed in the nuclear industry and tomake light, very strong alloys used in theaircraft industry. Beryllium salts are usedin fluorescent lamps, in X-ray tubes and asa deoxidizer in bronze metallurgy. Beryl isthe gem stones emerald and aquamarine. Itis used in computers, telecommunicationproducts, aerospace and defenseapplications, appliances and automotive andconsumer electronics. Also used in medicalequipment. The U.S. was 10 percent importreliant in 2012.ChromiteThe U.S. consumes about 6 percent of worldchromite ore production in various formsof imported materials, such as chromite ore,chromite chemicals, chromium ferroalloys,chromium metal and stainless steel. Usedas an alloy and in stainless and heat resistingsteel products. Used in chemical andmetallurgical industries (chrome fixtures,etc.) Superalloys require chromium. It isproduced in South Africa, Kazakhstan andIndia. The U.S. was 70 percent import reliantfor chromium in 2012.ClaysUsed in floor and wall tile as an absorbent, insanitation, mud drilling, foundry sand bond,iron pelletizing, brick, light weight aggregateand cement. It is produced in 40 states. Ballclay is used in floor and wall tile. Bentonite isused for drilling mud, pet waste absorbent,iron ore pelletizing and foundry sand bond.Kaolin is used for paper coating and filling,refractory products, fiberglass, paint, rubberand catalyst manufacture. Common clay isused in brick, light aggregate and cement.The U.S. was not import reliant in 2012.101 Constitution Avenue N.W. Suite 500 East Washington, DC 20001 202. 463. 2667 www.nma.org
CobaltUsed primarily in superalloys for aircraft gasturbine engines, in cemented carbides forcutting tools and wear-resistant applications,chemicals (paint dryers, catalysts, magneticcoatings) and permanent magnets. TheUnited States has cobalt resources inMinnesota, Alaska, California, Idaho,Missouri, Montana and Oregon. Cobaltproduction comes principally from Congo,China, Canada, Russia, Australia and Zambia.The U.S. was 78 percent import reliant in2012.CopperUsed in building construction, electric andelectronic products (cables and wires,switches, plumbing, heating); transportationequipment; roofing; chemical andpharmaceutical machinery; and alloys (brass,bronze and beryllium alloyed with copperare particularly vibration resistant); alloycastings; electroplated protective coatingsand undercoats for nickel, chromium, zinc,etc. More recently copper is being used inmedical equipment due to its anti-microbialproperties. The United States has mines inArizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada andMontana. Leading producers are Chile, Peru,China, United States and Australia. The U.S.was 35 percent import reliant in 2012.FeldsparA rock-forming mineral; industriallyimportant in glass and ceramic industries;patter and enamelware; soaps; bondfor abrasive wheels; cements; insulatingcompositions; fertilizer; tarred roofingmaterials; and as a sizing, or filler, in textilesand paper. In pottery and glass, feldsparfunctions as a flux. End-uses for feldsparin the U.S. include glass (70 percent) andpottery and other uses (30 percent). TheU.S. was not import reliant in 2012.Fluorite (fluorspar)Used in production of hydrofluoric acid,which is used in the pottery, ceramics,optical, electroplating and plastics industries;in the metallurgical treatment of bauxite; asa flux in open hearth steel furnaces and inmetal smelting; in carbon electrodes; emerywheels; electric arc welders; toothpaste; andpaint pigment. It is a key ingredient in theprocessing of aluminum and uranium. TheU.S. was 100 percent import reliant in 2012.GalliumGallium is used in integrated circuits, lightemitting diodes (LEDs), photodetectors andsolar cells. It has a new use in chemotherapyfor some types of cancer. Integratedcircuits are used in defense applications,high performance computers andtelecommunications. Optoelectronic deviceswere used in areas such as aerospace,consumer goods, industrial equipment,medical equipment and telecommunications.Leading sources are Germany, UK, Chinaand Canada. The U.S. was 99 percent importreliant in 2012.GoldUsed in jewelry and arts; dentistry andmedicine; in medallions and coins; iningots as a store of value; for scientific andelectronic instruments; as an electrolytein the electroplating industry. Mined inAlaska and several western states. Leadingproducers are China, Australia, UnitedStates, Russia and Canada. The U.S. was notimport reliant in 2012.GypsumProcessed and used as prefabricatedwallboard or an industrial or building plaster;used in cement manufacturing; agricultureand other uses. The U.S. was 12 percentimport reliant in 2012.101 Constitution Avenue N.W. Suite 500 East Washington, DC 20001 202. 463. 2667 www.nma.org
Halite (sodium chloride–salt)Used in human and animal diet, foodseasoning and food preservation; usedto prepare sodium hydroxide, soda ash,caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, chlorine,metallic sodium; used in ceramic glazes;metallurgy, curing of hides; mineral waters;soap manufacturing; home water softeners;highway de-icing; photography; in scientificequipment for optical parts. Single crystalsused for spectroscopy, ultraviolet andinfrared transmission. The U.S. was 19percent import reliant for salt in 2012.IndiumIndium tin oxide is used for electricalconductivity purposes in flat panel devices- most commonly in liquid crystal displays(LCDs). It is also used in solders, alloys,compounds, electrical components,semiconductors and research. Indium ore isnot recovered from ores in the U.S. China isthe leading producer. It is also produced inCanada, Japan and Belgium. The U.S. was 100percent import reliant in 2012.Iron OreUsed to manufacture steels of various types.Powdered iron: used in metallurgy products;magnets; high-frequency cores; auto parts;catalyst. Radioactive iron (iron 59): inmedicine; tracer element in biochemical andmetallurgical research. Iron blue: in paints,printing inks, plastics, cosmetics, paperdyeing. Black iron oxide: as pigment; inpolishing compounds; metallurgy; medicine;magnetic inks. Most U.S. production is fromMichigan and Minnesota. China, Australia,Brazil and Russia are the major producers.The U.S. was not import reliant in 2012.LeadUsed in lead-acid batteries, gasoline additives(now being eliminated) and tanks, andsolders, seals or bearing; used in electricaland electronic applications; TV tubes andglass, construction, communications andprotective coatings; in ballast or weights;ceramics or crystal glass; X-ray and gammaradiation shielding; soundproofing materialin construction industry; and ammunition.Industrial type batteries are used as a sourceof uninteruptible power equipment forcomputer and telecommunications networksand mobile power. United States mines leadmainly in Missouri, but also in Alaska andIdaho. The U.S. was not import reliant in2012.LithiumCompounds are used in ceramics and glass;batteries; lubricating greases; air treatment;in primary aluminum production; in themanufacture of lubricants and greases; rocketpropellants; vitamin A synthesis; silver solder;batteries; medicine. Lithium ion batterieshave become a substitute for nickel-cadmiumbatteries in hand held/portable electronicdevices. There is one brine operation inNevada. Australia, Chile and China are majorproducers. The U.S. was more than 70percent reliant for lithium in 2012.ManganeseOre is essential to iron and steel production.Also used in the making of manganeseferroalloys. Construction, machinery andtransportation end uses account for mostU.S. consumption of manganese. Manganeseore has not been produced in the U.S. since1970. Major producers are South Africa,Australia, China, Gabon and Brazil. The U.S.was 100 percent import reliant in 2012.MicaMicas commonly occur as flakes, scales orshreds. Ground mica is used in paints, asjoint cement, as a dusting agent, in oil welldrilling muds; and in plastics, roofing, rubberand welding rods. Sheet mica is fabricatedinto parts for electronic and electronicequipment. China and Russia are leadingproducers. The U.S. was 100 percent importreliant in 2012.101 Constitution Avenue N.W. Suite 500 East Washington, DC 20001 202. 463. 2667 www.nma.org
MolybdenumUsed in alloy steels to make automotiveparts, construction equipment, gastransmission pipes; stainless steels; toolsteels; cast irons; super alloys; and chemicalsand lubricants. As a pure metal, molybdenumis used because of its high meltingtemperatures (4,730 F) as filament supportsin light bulbs, metalworking dies and furnaceparts. Major producers are China, theUnited States, Chile and Peru. The U.S. wasnot import reliant in 2012.NickelVital as an alloy to stainless steel; playskey role in the chemical and aerospaceindustries. End uses were transportation,fabricated metal products, electricalequipment, petroleum and chemicalindustries, household appliances andindustrial machinery. Major producers arethe Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, Australiaand Canada. The U.S. was 49 percent importreliant in 2012.PerliteExpanded perlite is used in buildingconstruction products like roof insulationboards; as fillers, for horticulture aggregateand filter aids. It is produced in New Mexicoand other western states and is processedin over 20 states. Leading producers are theU.S., Greece and Turkey. The U.S. was 24percent import reliant in 2012.Platinum Group Metals (PGM)Includes platinum, palladium, rhodium,iridium, osmium and ruthenium. Commonlyoccur together in nature and are among thescarcest of the metallic elements. Platinumis used principally in catalysts for the controlof automobile and industrial plant emissions;in jewelry; in catalysts to produce acids,organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. PGMsused in bushings for making glass fibersused in fiber-reinforced plastic and otheradvanced materials, in electrical contacts, incapacitors, in conductive and resistive filmsused in electronic circuits; in dental alloysused for making crowns and bridge. SouthAfrica, Russia, the U.S. and Canada are majorproducers. The U.S. was over 50 percentimport reliant for most PGMs in 2012.Phosphate rockUsed to produce phosphoric acid forammoniated phosphate fertilizers,feed additives for livestock, elementalphosphorus, and a variety of phosphatechemicals for industrial and homeconsumers. U.S. production occurs inFlorida, North Carolina, Idaho and Utah.The U.S. is a major producer. It was notimport reliant in 2012.PotashA carbonate of potassium; used as afertilizer, in medicine, in the chemicalindustry and to produce decorative coloreffects on brass, bronze and nickel. Theleading producers are Canada, Russia andBelarus. The U.S. was 81 percent importreliant in 2012.PyriteUsed in the manufacture of sulfur, sulfuricacid and sulfur dioxide; pellets of pressedpyrite dust are used to recover iron,gold, copper, cobalt, nickel; used to makeinexpensive jewelry.Quartz (silica)As a crystal, quartz is used as a semipreciousgem stone. Crystalline varieties includeamethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz,etc. Cryptocrystalline forms include agate,jasper, onyx, etc. Because of its piezoelectricproperties quartz is used for pressuregauges, oscillators, resonators and wavestabilizes; because of its ability to rotatethe plane of polarization of light and itstransparency in ultraviolet rays, it is used inheat-ray lamps, prism and spectrographiclenses. Also used in manufacturing glass,paints, abrasives, refractory materials andprecision instruments.101 Constitution Avenue N.W. Suite 500 East Washington, DC 20001 202. 463. 2667 www.nma.org
Rare Earth Elements (lanthanum,cerium, praseodymium, neodymium,promethium, samarium, europium,gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium,erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium)Used mainly in petroleum fluid crackingcatalysts, metallurgical additives and alloys,glass polishing and ceramics, permanentmagnets and phosphors. It is estimated that40 pounds of rare earths are used in a hybridcar for rechargeable battery, permanentmagnet motor and the regenerative brakingsystem. The U.S. now has one rare earth(bastnasite) mine in California. More than 85percent of global production is in China. TheU.S. was import reliant for most of its rareearth metals in 2012.SilicaAluminum and aluminum alloy producersand the chemical industry are majorusers of silicon metal. Silica is also used inmanufacture of computer chips, glass andrefractory materials; ceramics; abrasives;water filtration; component of hydrauliccements; filler in cosmetics, pharmaceutical,paper, insecticides; anti-caking agent infoods; flatting agent in paints; thermalinsulator; and photovoltaic cells. China is theleading producer. The U.S. was 36 percentreliant on metallurgical grade silicon metal in2012.SilverUsed in coins and medals, electrical andelectronic devices, industrial applications,jewelry, silverware and photography.The physical properties of silver includeductility, electronics conductivity, malleabilityand reflectivity. Used in lining vats andother equipment for chemical reactionvessels, water distillation, etc.; a catalystin manufacture of ethylene; mirrors; silverplating; table cutlery; dental, medical andscientific equipment; bearing metal; magnetwindings; brazing alloys, solder. Also usedin catalytic converters, cell phone covers,electronics, circuit boards, bandages forwound care and batteries. Silver is producedin the U.S. at over 30 base and preciousmetal mines primarily in Alaska and Nevada.The leading global producers include Mexico,China, Peru, Chile, Australia, Bolivia and theU.S. The U.S. was 57 percent reliant in 2012.Sodium Carbonate(soda ash or trona)Used in glass container manufacture; infiberglass and specialty glass; also used inproduction of flat glass; in liquid detergents;in medicine; as a food additive; photography;cleaning and boiler compounds; pH controlof water. Most U.S. production comes fromWyoming. The U.S. is a major producer.SulfurUsed in the manufacture of sulfuric acid,fertilizers, petroleum refining; and metalmining. Elemental sulphur and byproductsulfuric acid were produced in over 100operations in 26 state and the Virgin Islands.The U.S., Canada, China and Germany aremajor producers.TantalumA refractory metal with unique electrical,chemical and physical properties usedto produce electronic components,tantalum capacitors (in auto electronics,pagers, personal computers and portabletelephones) ; for high-purity tantalum metalsin products ranging from weapon systems tosuperconductors; high-speed tools; catalyst;sutures and body implants; electroniccircuitry; thin-film components. Used inoptical glass and electroplating devices.Leading producers are Mozambique, Braziland Congo. The U.S. was 100 percent reliantin 2012.TitaniumTitanium mineral concentrates are usedprimarily by titanium dioxide pigmentproducers. A small amount is used in weldingrod coatings and for manufacturing carbides,chemicals and metals. It is produced inFlorida and Virginia. Leading producingcountries are South Africa, Australia, Canadaand China. The U.S. was 77 percent reliantin 2012.101 Constitution Avenue N.W. Suite 500 East Washington, DC 20001 202. 463. 2667 www.nma.org
ZeolitesUsed in animal feed, cat litter, cement,aquaculture (fish hatcheries for removingammonia from the water); water softenerand purification; in catalysts; odor control;and for removing radioactive ions fromnuclear plant effluent. The U.S. was notimport reliant in 2012.Titanium and titanium dioxide are usedin aerospace applications (in jet engines,airframes and space and missile applications).It is also used in armor, chemical processing,marine, medical, power generation, sportinggoods and other non-aerospace applications.Titanium sponge metal was produced inthree operations in Nevada and Utah. Theleading global producers are China, Japan,Russia and Kazakhstan.ZincOf the total zinc consumed in the U.S.,about 55 percent was used in galvanizing,21 percent in zinc-based alloys, 16 percentin brass and bronze, and 8 percent in otheruses. Zinc compounds and dust were usedprincipally by the agriculture, chemical, paint,and rubber industries.TungstenMore than half of the tungsten consumedin the United States was used in cementedcarbide parts for cutting and wear-resistantmaterials, primarily in the construction,metalworking, mining, and oil- and gasdrilling industries. The remaining tungstenwas consumed to make tungsten heavyalloys for applications requiring high density;electrodes, filaments, wires, and othercomponents for electrical, electronic,heating, lighting, and welding applications;steels, superalloys, and wear-resistant alloys;and chemicals for various applications.China is by far the leading producer. Russia,Canada, Austria and Bolivia also producetungsten. The U.S. produces very little. Itwas 42 percent import reliant in 2012.Major co-products of zinc mining andsmelting, in order of decreasing tonnage,were lead, sulfuric acid, cadmium, silver, goldand germanium. Zinc is used as protectivecoating on steel, as die casting, as an alloyingmetal with copper to make brass and aschemical compounds in rubber and paints;used as sheet zinc and for galvanizing iron;electroplating; metal spraying; automotiveparts; electrical fuses; anodes; dry cellbatteries; nutrition; chemicals; roof gutter;engravers’ plates; cable wrappings; organpipes and pennies. Zinc oxide used inmedicine, paints, in vulcanizing rubber,sun block. Zinc dust used for primers,paints, precipitation of noble metals;removal of impurities from solution in zincelectrowinning. U.S. production is in threestates and 13 mines. Leading producers areChina, Australia, Peru and the U.S. The U.S.was 72 percent import reliant in 2012.UraniumNearly 20 percent of America’s electricityis produced using uranium in nucleargeneration. It is also used for nuclearmedicine, atomic dating, powering nuclearsubmarines and other uses in the U.S.defense system. The U.S. received 83percent of its uranium from other countriesin 2012.VanadiumMetallurgical use, primarily as an alloyingagent for iron and steel, accounted forabout 93 percent of the domestic vanadiumconsumption. Of the other uses forvanadium, the major non-metallurgical usewas in catalysts for the production of maleicanhydride and sulfuric acid. China, SouthAfrica and Russia are largest producers. TheU.S. was 96 percent reliant in 2012.Sources: The U.S. Geological Survey, Facts About Minerals (NationalMining Association); Mineral Information Institute; the Energy InformationAdministration101 Constitution Avenue N.W. Suite 500 East Washi
important in glass and ceramic industries; patter and enamelware; soaps; bond for abrasive wheels; cements; insulating compositions; fertilizer; tarred roofing materials; and as a sizing, or filler, in textiles and paper. In pottery and glass, feldspar functions as a flux. End-uses for feldspar in the U.S. include glass (70 percent) and
sian minerals. All minerals, however, can be classified into two main groups—silicate minerals and nonsilicate minerals—based on the chemical compositions of the minerals. Silicate Minerals A mineral that contains a combination of silicon, Si, and oxy-gen, O, is a silicate mineral. The mineral quartz has only silicon and oxygen atoms.
2. some are composed of nonmineral matter a. obsidian, pumice and coal iii. composition and structure of minerals a. nearly 4,000 minerals b. elements 1. basic building blocks of minerals 2. 112 are known, 92 are naturally occurring 3. some minerals are made entirely of one atom 4. most elements are not stable, and thus most minerals are a
Silicate Minerals Silicate minerals make up 96% of the earth’s crust. Contains atoms of Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O). Silicate minerals are generally shinny therefore most are found in jewelry. Non-Silicate Minerals Non-silicate minerals only make up 4% of the earth’s crust. However, these minerals are used most widely in
Therefore, the color depends on what minerals the rock contains. Think of the common minerals found in igneous rocks. Quartz, potassium feldspar, and muscovite mica are light in color. Igneous rocks with high percentages of these minerals tend to be light in color. They are the most common minerals in igneous rocks found in the continental crust.
Identification Tables for Common Minerals in Thin Section These tables provide a concise summary of the properties of a range of common minerals. Within the tables, minerals are arranged by colour so as to help with identification. If a mineral commonly has
Silicate Minerals GLY 4310 Spring, 2006 2 Crustal Chemistry The earth’s crust is composed of three common elements, on an atom percent basis Oxygen, 62.5% Silicon, 21.2% Aluminum, 6.47% Silicates are the most common minerals on the planet They are called “rock-forming” minerals for this reason 3 Other Common Cations
Conflict Minerals and Resource Extraction: Dodd-Frank, SEC Regulations, and Legal Challenges Congressional Research Service 1 Introduction Congressional hearings, news reports over the past several years, and even the 2006 film Blood Diamond have brought increased attention to the mining and selling of conflict minerals. Generally defined, conflict minerals are “minerals mined in conditions .
minerals (fluorspar, mica, certain limestones and gypsum, heavy minerals in placer form, uranium, bentonite, silica sand, and gemstones) and certain uncommon varieties of minerals (e.g. dimension stone, pumice, pumicite, and cinder deposits). Other minerals include those often used as indus
