Industrial Minerals
Industrial minerals are naturally occuring materials, either obtained directly from rocks or minerals or extracted from the earth through mining and processing. Industrial minerals are essential components of many products and materials used in everyday life, such as steel and construction materials. Various types of industrial minerals are widely used in various applications, including building materials, ceramic, plastics, glass, and agricultural products.
The term “industrial minerals” includes a broad range of minerals and mineral-like materials, such as boron, cement, gypsum, mica and scoria. These minerals are essential components of a wide variety of products, including chemicals, plastics, fuels and steel. Industrial minerals are also used for industrial applications, such as paper production, and as catalysts in the production of metal alloys.
Industrial minerals are usually mined from deposits found in the earth and then processed for commercial use. Some of the most common types of industrial minerals include: borates, clays, diatomite, feldspar, gypsum, kaolin, magnesite, mica, perlite, silica sand, talc, and vermiculite.
Borates are used as a flux in making steel, as a binder, and as a source of boron, a vital nutrient for plants. Clays are used in various industrial applications such as making ceramics, bricks, tiles, and pottery. Diatomite is an important industrial mineral used in filters and absorbents.
Feldspar is an important fluxing agent used in making glass and ceramics. It is also used in certain construction materials. Gypsum is widely used in the manufacturing of building materials, such as plaster and cement. Kaolin is used as a filler in various paper and paint products. Magnesite is also widely used in making refractory materials for steel-making and in the production of magnesia and magnesium salts.
Mica is widely used in electrical insulation and construction materials such as paint and wallboards. Perlite is an important raw material used in the manufacture of insulation materials and potting mix. Silica sand is an important industrial mineral that is used in the production of a variety of glass and ceramic products.
Talc is most commonly used in the production of paper and paint products and as a filler in rubber and plastic. Vermiculite is an important material used for insulation and agricultural applications.
Industrial minerals have long been an important source of raw materials and can be found in many products and materials used in everyday life. They continue to provide a valuable source of industrial minerals today and will continue to be an integral part of industry in the future.
