Minerals are solid substances that are formed by the combination of one or more naturally occurring elements. Minerals are found in a variety of shapes and sizes. Minerals are mined for their economic and commercial worth and are often divided into two categories: metallic minerals and industrial minerals (non-metallic minerals).
Metallurgical Vs. Industrial Minerals
The primary distinction between metallic minerals and industrial minerals is that metallic minerals include metals in their raw state, which may be further processed for beneficial uses, while industrial or non-metallic minerals are substances that do not contain any metals.
Metallic minerals are minerals that include one or more metals in the form of ions or atoms. Mineral deposits, which are unusual and naturally occurring concentrations of certain elements, may be found in small quantities. Industrial minerals are minerals that do not contain any metals and are thus referred to as non-metallic substances. They are employed in a number of industries to manufacture a wide range of goods.
Because of the presence of metals in metallic minerals, they are excellent conductors of heat and electricity, while industrial minerals are poor conductors of heat and electricity owing to their composition.
Metallic minerals may be further subdivided into two further categories, which are as follows:
- Ferrous minerals are metallic minerals that include iron. Ferrous metallic minerals are metallic minerals that contain iron. For example, iron ore, manganese, nickel, and so on.
- Non-ferrous minerals are metallic minerals that do not include any iron. Non-ferrous minerals are metallic minerals that do not contain any iron. Aluminum, lead, copper, and other metals are examples.
What are Metallic Minerals?
Metallic minerals are minerals that include one or more types of metals in the form of rare and concentrated mineral deposits. Metallic minerals are found in the rarest and most concentrated kinds of mineral deposits. Many different chemical methods are used to extract the metals from their ore, resulting in a single chemical compound that is the raw form of the metal.
These materials have a hard and reflective surface, and they are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. The malleability and ductility of metallic minerals allow them to be formed into sheets and wires for use in a variety of applications.
Metallic minerals may be further divided into two categories: ferrous metallic minerals and nonferrous metallic minerals. Ferrous minerals are metals that include traces of iron in their composition. For example, manganese and nickel are both metals. Non-ferrous minerals are those that do not include any iron in their structure or composition. Take, for instance, gold and platinum.
Examples and Applications: Silver, gold, aluminum, copper, manganese, zinc, and other metallic minerals are examples of metallic minerals.
- Because of the hard and reflective surface of gold, silver, and platinum, these metals are very valuable in the jewelry business.
- Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and as a result, it is often used in electric equipment.
- Properties such as malleability and ductility are exploited in the production of aluminum sheets, which have a variety of applications.
What are Industrial Minerals?
In technical terms, industrial minerals are also known as non-metallic minerals, and they play a key role in the economic sector. The majority of the time, they are mined for their economic worth; nonetheless, they are not fuels and do not contain metal. They are used only on the basis of their physical and chemical properties.
Natural and raw forms of these minerals are widely employed as additives in a variety of industries, and they are mined from sedimentary rocks and young fold mountains as well as other sources.
Such materials do not have metallic qualities such as excellent electric and thermal conductivity, lustre, rigor, and malleability; yet, they are required in a wide range of industrial applications.
Examples and Applications: Silica, granite, gypsum, bentonite, talc, limestone, and other industrial minerals are examples of minerals that are used in industry.
Among the most well-known applications of non-metallic minerals are the manufacture of cement and ceramic glass as well as paints, plastics, filters and detergents, paper, and building materials.
Difference Between Metallic and Industrial Minerals
- Metallic minerals are chemical compounds that include one or more metals and are typically found in their raw form, while industrial minerals (also known as non-metallic minerals) do not contain metals and are found in their processed form.
- Metallic minerals are excellent conductors of heat and electricity, while industrial minerals, which do not include metals, do not possess these properties.
- Three, the malleability and ductility of metallic minerals are essential characteristics that are not present in industrial minerals.
- Metallic minerals are mostly acquired from igneous and metamorphic rocks, while industrial minerals are primarily derived from sedimentary rocks.
- Copper, gold, aluminum, silver, zinc, and other metallic minerals are examples of metallic minerals.
- Industrial minerals include silica, gypsum, clay, diatomite, granite, and other similar materials.
Conclusion
Minerals are chemical compounds that are generated when one or more components are combined to form a new compound. Minerals may be divided into two categories: metallic minerals and industrial/nonmetallic minerals. The distinction between metallic and industrial minerals is that metallic minerals contain metals in their raw state, while industrial minerals do not include metals.
Metallic minerals have characteristics such as hardness, lustre, excellent conductivity of heat and electricity, malleability, and ductility, while non-metallic minerals do not possess these characteristics. Because of their physical characteristics, industrial minerals have a high economic value.
Copper, aluminum, zinc, and iron are the most commonly used metals for electrical and mechanical applications, whereas non-metallic minerals such as silica, clay, gypsum, and other non-metallic minerals are used as additives or catalysts for a variety of applications including construction, filtration, paints, ceramics, and other applications.