Industrial Minerals

Naturally occurring rock or synthetic minerals with high economic value and benefits are generally called industrial minerals. The non-metallurgical properties of industrial minerals make them suitable for many domestic and industrial applications. Industry is a type of economic activity associated with the manufacturing of goods. In mineral-based industries, minerals are utilised as raw materials. Industrial minerals have different applications in metallurgical processes. They are also used as chemicals in the paint, cosmetics and  agro-based industries. In this article, the occurrence, importance, different examples, types and applications of industrial minerals have been discussed in detail.

Industrial Minerals

Industrial minerals are geological materials extracted for their commercial worth that are not fuel (fuel minerals or mineral fuels) or metal sources (metallic minerals) but are used in industries due to their physical and chemical qualities. They are used as raw materials in different applications. Except for fuels, metals, ores, water, and gemstones, industrial minerals are all materials extracted from the Earth’s crust by man. Non-metallics is a common synonym for industrial minerals. Industrial minerals include aggregates and critical minerals. Aggregates are construction materials such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, or recycled crushed concrete.

Importance of Industrial Minerals

Without industrial minerals, a wide range of ordinary residential and critical industrial products would not exist. Because the world is made up of industrial minerals, they are extremely significant. 

Examples of Industrial Minerals

Naturally occurring industrial minerals include:

• Clay
• Limestone
• Gypsum
• Pumice
• Sand
• Talc
• Potash

Minerals with metallurgical and non-metallurgical utility are also examples of natural industrial minerals. These include:

• Bauxite
• Chromite
• Rutile
• Manganese
• Stibnite
• Quartz

There are also synthetic industrial minerals created by synthesising natural minerals. Because natural minerals have poor properties and are scarce, synthetic minerals are frequently treated. Synthetic industrial minerals include:

• Silicon carbide
• Soda ash
• Fused minerals like fused alumina, fused magnesia

In some situations, organic materials (peat) and industrial products or by-products (cement, slag, silica fume) are classified as industrial minerals, as are metallic compounds primarily used in the non-metallic form (for example, most titanium is utilised as an oxide rather than titanium metal).

The assessment of raw materials to know their suitability for use as industrial minerals, different technical testing, end-product evaluation and mineral processing trials are common practices.

Applications of Industrial Minerals

Construction

• Limestone
• Dimension stone (granite, marble, flagstone, etc.)
• Clay
• Diatomite
• Perlite
• Gypsum
• Lime

Metallurgical Process

• Bauxite
• Silica
• Quartz
• Dolomite
• Magnesite
• Garnet
• Iron oxide
• Barite
• Pumice
• Graphite
• Asbestos

As Chemicals

• Barite
• Dolomite
• Lithium
• Magnesite
• Phosphates
• Bauxite
• Limestone
• Pumice
• Borates
• Zeoli

In agriculture

• Phosphates
•  Borates
•  Clays 
• Perlite
•  Dolomite 
• Talc 
• Vermiculite 
• Peat

Glass and Ceramics

• Borates
• Silica
• Quartz
• Soda ash
• Kaolin
• Pyrophyllite
• Talc
• Bauxite
• Alumina

Fillers and Extenders

• Barite
•  Clays
• Soda ash
• Diatomite
• Titanium minerals
• Gypsum
• Limestone

Used as Energy Sources

• Clays
• Magnesite
• Graphite
•  Lithium Drilling mud Refining additives
• Batteries

Uses in Environment

• Bauxite
• Alumina
• Dolomite
• Limestone
• Zeolite
• Asbestos
• Perlite
• Magnesia
• Gypsum
• Pyrophyllite

Other applications include paints, electronics, ceramics, filtration, plastics, detergents and paper.

Mineral-based Industries

Mineral-based businesses are the primary industries that source their raw materials from mineral ores. Steel and iron industries are included in the mineral-based industries. The mineral industry employs both rural and urban residents. These industries’ products feed other industries; for example, iron made from iron ore is used as a raw material in the manufacture of various other items such as railway coaches and heavy machinery.

Iron, steel, cement, basic and light chemicals, and fertilisers are vital mineral-based industries. Both metallic and non-metallic minerals are utilised as raw materials in these industries, based on ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgical processes.

Machinery for light, medium, and heavy industries rely on iron and steel. Steel is required to produce a wide range of consumer goods, scientific equipment, telecommunications equipment, medical equipment, defence equipment, construction materials, and engineering items. The Chota Nagpur plateau has the highest concentration of iron and steel factories. The iron and steel industry development in this region has relative benefits. There is significant growth potential in the domestic market and cheap labour, nearby high-quality raw materials, and low-cost iron ore. Iron and steel are classified as heavy industries since the finished goods, and raw materials are severe, resulting in high transportation costs. 

Distinguish between Agro-based and Mineral-based Industry

In agro-based industries, plant and animal-based products are utilised as raw materials. Mineral-based industries are the primary industries that source their raw materials from mineral ores.

The agro-based industry provides work for those living in rural areas. The mineral-based industry employs both rural and urban residents.

Agro-based industries include food processing, vegetable oil, cotton textile, dairy products, and leather. The steel and iron industries and the heavy machinery industries are included in mineral-based industries.

Conclusion

Industrial minerals are essential for our daily life. They can be called the building blocks of our modern way of life. They are exploited for their non-metallurgical properties. They have a wide range of applications in domestic and industrial fields. There are mainly two types of industries: agro-based industry and mineral-based industries. Many things distinguish between agro-based and mineral-based industries. Agriculture is the source of agro-based industries, whereas minerals are the source of mineral-based industries.