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Mineral Classification
The two most widely used classifications in mineral extraction refer to the quantity and types of minerals.
In the first case, minerals are usually classified into plentiful (iron, manganese, etc.) and scarce (gold, silver, etc). Obviously, this classification must be viewed with caution, since an ore that is abundant today may become scarce in a while, while an ore that is now scarce may become abundant if new deposits are discovered.
In the second case, minerals are classified into two main and general types: minerals metallicsuch as iron, manganese, aluminum, copper, lead and gold; non-metallic minerals, such as petroleum and coal (fossil fuels), sand, clay and gravel (building materials), salts, nitrates, phosphates, sulfur and potassium (chemical industry minerals and fertilizers).
METAL MINERALS | |
Basic Metals | Iron, Copper, Zinc, Tin, Lead |
Alloy Metals | Tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, cobalt, chrome, manganese, zirconium, beryllium… |
Light Metals | Aluminum, Magnesium |
Precious metals | Gold, silver, platinum |
Other metals | Radio * uranium *, mercury |
* Radium and uranium are radioactive minerals.
NON METALLIC MINERALS | |
Used in construction | Clay, asbestos, gypsum, limestone, granite, basalt, gneiss, slate, gravel, marble, sand. |
Used in electricity | Quartz Mica |
Used as fertilizers | Nitrate, Potassium, Phosphorus |
Used as jewelry | Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Grenade, Zirconium, Amethyst |
FOSSIL OR ENERGY MINERALS |
Oil, Coals, Oil Shale, Natural Gas |