Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology 4e

3.7.1 What Makes Minerals Valuable?
Geologists, engineers, and financiers classify useful minerals as ore minerals (those
from which we extract metals) or industrial minerals (those useful in manufacturing
processes, health care, agriculture, and the arts, but not as sources of metals).
A mineral’s chemical composition and physical properties determine how it can be
used. For the ore minerals, composition is the critical factor: we separate the desired
metal from the other elements in those minerals to extract iron, copper, zinc, lead,
aluminum, titanium, chromium, and so forth. Conversely, physical properties such
as hardness, color, luster, and specific gravity are responsible for the usefulness of
many industrial minerals.
EXERCISE 3.8
The Right Mineral for the Right Job
Name:
Course:
Section:
Date:
In the following table, indicate what physical property you think would make a mineral appropriate for the use indicated,
and name a mineral from your set that could be used for this purpose. In some instances, more than one mineral will meet
the requirements and more than one property is required.
Economic use
Abrasives (e.g., sandpaper)
Old-time window coverings before glass
was widely available
Modern windowpanes
Writing on paper
Lubricant for locks
After-bath powder
Bright eye shadow
Pigment for paints
Navigation with a compass
Physical property or properties
needed
Mineral(s)
3.7.2 Economic Mineral Deposits
Few minerals form alone. Most are combined with others in rocks, so it takes time,
energy, and a lot of money to separate them. For a mineral deposit to be economically
valuable, there must be
■ a sufficient amount of ore containing the desired mineral or element (no one
will mine a mere handful of iron ore).
■ the ability to mine that ore at a cost low enough to make a profit.
■ the ability to separate out and ship the desired mineral or element at a cost
low enough to make a profit.
3.7 MINERALS AND THE ECONOMY
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