Non-Metallic and Rock Minerals

Introduction 

A naturally occurring organic and inorganic substance having an orderly atomic structure and a definite chemical composition and physical properties is referred to as minerals. A mineral is composed of two or more elements. But sometimes single element minerals also exist. Minerals are mainly found inside the Earth surface and the basic source of all the minerals is the hot Magma which is present inside the earth surface. When this Magma cools down, it forms crystals of minerals. These crystals of minerals solidify to form rocks. On the basis of composition, minerals can be of two types-metallic minerals and non-metallic minerals. Metallic minerals contain metal content in them, and they can be subdivided into three types-precious metals, ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals. Non-metallic minerals do not contain metal in them, for example sulphur, phosphate, nitrate, mica, etc.

Non-Metallic Minerals

Minerals which do not contain metal in them are non-metallic minerals. Non-metallic minerals can be organic or inorganic. These minerals do not have a Shiny appearance of their own and are generally obtained from sedimentary rocks. These are not ductile or brittle and are non malleable. They also do not yield any new product on melting. Some of the examples of non-metallic minerals are sulphur, phosphate, nitrate, mica, etc.

Mica 

• Mica is a mineral composed of a progression of plates or leaves and it parts effectively into slim sheets
• Properties: Phenomenal di-electric strength, low influence adversity factor, securing properties, and protection from high voltage
• Because of such properties, mica is perhaps the most essential mineral utilised in electric and electronic businesses
  
  Important Mica Deposits

• They are found in the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur level and the Koderma Gaya Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand is the main producer.
• In Rajasthan, the significant mica-creating region is around Ajmer
• Nellore mica belt of Andhra Pradesh.

Sulphur 

• Sulphur is an abundant mineral which occurs throughout the universe 
• It is rarely found in a pure or a combined form on the earth surface. It mainly occurs in the dissolved ions in many water bodies
• It is an essential mineral in all living things, and it also occurs as inorganic molecules of all fossil fuels
• As a mineral,  sulphur is a bright yellow crystalline material which forms near volcanic vents.

Rock Minerals

Minerals that can be obtained from rocks are known as rock minerals. Rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals, and it can be hard or soft and in varied colours

Rock minerals can be obtained from different types of rocks,  they are – igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks

Limestone

• It is found in a relationship with rocks composed out of calcium carbonates, calcium, and magnesium carbonates
• It is found in sedimentary rocks of most geological courses of action
• It is the fundamental natural substance for the construction activities and fundamental for refining iron minerals in the impact heater
• Limestone contains 50% calcium carbonate in the form of calcite by weight
• Limestone can be of different types, such as- chalk, coquina, crystalline limestone, dolomite limestone, fossiliferous limestone, lithographic limestone, oolitic limestone, travertine, etc
• Limestone has a variety of uses. Some of the varieties of limestone are used in road base, railroad ballast, foundation stone, concrete aggregate and other construction uses

Sandstone

• Sandstone is a sedimentary rock which is found in the sedimentary basins throughout the world
• It is composed of sand-size grains, rock fragments, mineral and organic materials
• Its texture is clastic, and it can be soft or hard depending on the clast and cement composition
• Sandstone can be used for domestic constructions and housewares. The strength and durability of sandstone are high that renders it the best for various interior applications. 

Conservation of Minerals

• Need for Conservation 
  • Slow Rate of Replenishment: As the geological processes of mineral formation are slow. Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable
  • Proceeded with the extraction of metals prompts expanding costs as mineral extraction comes from more noteworthy profundities alongside a decline in quality.
• Steps to Conserve Minerals 
  • Planned and sustainable use of resources
  • Further, developed innovations should be continually advanced to permit utilization of poor quality metals at low expenses
  • Recycling of metals and using scrap metals and other substitutes.

Conclusion

Minerals are an inseparable part of our life. Almost everything that we use in our daily life is made up of minerals. They are naturally occurring organic and inorganic substances having an orderly atomic structure and a definite chemical composition and physical properties. On the basis of composition, minerals can be of two types-metallic minerals and non-metallic minerals. Metallic minerals contain metal content in them. Non-metallic minerals can be organic or inorganic. These minerals do not have a Shiny appearance of their own and are generally obtained from sedimentary rocks. These are not ductile or brittle and are non-malleable. They also do not yield any new product on melting. Some examples of non-metallic minerals are sulphur, phosphate, nitrate, mica, etc. Minerals that can be obtained from rocks are known as rock minerals. Rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals, and it can be hard or soft and in varied colours. Rock minerals can be obtained from different types of rocks,  they are – igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks. Limestone and sandstone can be considered as rock minerals.