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Industrial Minerals

COAL

Description: Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock primarily made of carbon, along with various amounts of other elements such as hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Uses:

Electricity generation (thermal power plants)
Steel production (coking coal is used in blast furnaces)
Industrial heating and energy production
Chemical manufacturing (e.g., for producing coal tar and ammonia)

Limestone

Description: Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), formed from the remains of marine organisms like coral and mollusks.

Uses:

Cement production (key ingredient in clinker)
Construction material for roads and buildings
Soil treatment to neutralize acidity (agricultural lime)
Production of glass and steel
Manufacturing of quicklime and slaked lime (used in chemical processes)

Bauxite

Description: Bauxite is the principal ore of aluminum, consisting mainly of hydrous aluminum oxides and aluminum hydroxides.

Uses:

Production of aluminum metal (through the Bayer and Hall-Héroult processes)
Abrasives and refractories
Production of alumina (used in chemicals and ceramics)
Used in the manufacture of cement due to its high aluminum content.

Gypsum

Description: Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O). It forms through the evaporation of saline waters and is commonly found in sedimentary deposits.

Uses:

Production of plaster and drywall (gypsum board)
Cement production (as a retardant to control setting time)
Soil conditioner in agriculture (improves soil structure and water infiltration)
Used in casting molds for dentistry, art, and ceramics.

Kaolin

Description: Kaolin is a white, fine clay primarily composed of the mineral kaolinite, formed from the chemical weathering of rocks in hot, moist climates.

Uses:

Ceramics and porcelain production
Paper industry (used as a coating to produce a smooth, glossy surface)
Ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products
Used in paints as a pigment extender
Medicinal uses as an absorbent in pharmaceuticals

Pozzolana

Description: Pozzolana is a fine, volcanic ash or pumice that is rich in silica and alumina. When mixed with lime, it forms a strong, cement-like compound.

Uses:

Cement production (used as a partial replacement for Portland cement to improve durability)
Concrete production (increases strength and water resistance)
Building materials in ancient and modern construction (e.g., Roman concrete)
Road stabilization and paving
Ecologically-friendly construction due to lower carbon footprint compared to conventional cement

Stone Aggregates

Description: Stone aggregates are crushed stones of varying sizes obtained from quarries and used in various construction processes. They can include gravel, crushed rock, or sand.

Uses:

Construction of roads, buildings, and infrastructure
Concrete production
Landscaping and drainage projects
Foundations and structural base layers in construction

Critical Minerals

Chromite

Description: Chromite is a mineral composed primarily of iron chromium oxide (FeCr₂O₄) and is the only ore from which chromium is commercially extracted.

Uses:

Stainless steel production (chromium improves corrosion resistance)
Chrome plating and chrome-based paints
Production of refractory materials (heat-resistant bricks and linings)
Pigments and dyes
In the chemical industry for manufacturing chromium compounds

Copper

Description: Copper is a reddish-orange metal known for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and ductility.

Uses:

Electrical wiring and components (due to high conductivity)
Plumbing and roofing materials
Production of alloys (e.g., bronze, brass)
Heat exchangers, electronics, and motors
Essential in the manufacturing of electrical equipment, transformers, and power cables

Manganese

Type: Pure Metal and Ore Mineral

Metal Extracted: Manganese

Description: Manganese is a silvery-gray metal that is brittle and hard, commonly found in combination with iron.

Uses: Steelmaking (improves hardness, toughness, and wear resistance), production of batteries (especially lithium-ion batteries), glass manufacturing, and as an alloying element in aluminum and other metals.

Tantalite

Description: Tantalite is the primary ore of tantalum, a heavy, corrosion-resistant metal with a high melting point. It is usually found in association with columbite.

Uses:

Production of capacitors and high-performance electronic components (mobile phones, laptops)
Medical implants (due to biocompatibility)
Aerospace and aviation industries (in jet engines and turbine blades)
Superalloys for use in high-temperature environments

Niobium

Description: Niobium is a soft, gray transition metal that is used in alloys, particularly in steel. It often occurs in combination with tantalum.

Uses:

Alloying agent in high-strength, low-alloy steels (used in pipelines and structural materials)
Aerospace industry for jet engines and rockets (due to its heat resistance)
Superconducting materials in MRI machines and particle accelerators
Nuclear reactors (due to its resistance to heat and corrosion)

Graphite

Description: Graphite is a crystalline form of carbon that occurs naturally in metamorphic rocks such as marble, schist, and gneiss. It is soft, slippery, and a good conductor of electricity.

Uses:

Manufacturing of pencils (as the "lead")
Lubricants for machinery and motors
Crucibles for steel and metal production (due to high melting point)
Lithium-ion batteries (as an anode material)
Electrode production in arc furnaces

Iron Ore

Description: Iron ore is a mineral from which metallic iron can be extracted. It typically contains high levels of iron oxides such as hematite (Fe₂O₃) or magnetite (Fe₃O₄).

Uses:

Steel production (iron is the main component of steel)
Iron castings for industrial machinery and automotive parts
Manufacturing of magnets
Pigments and catalysts
Construction materials and tools