| Minerals/Metals
for Essential Products
Thanks to the National Mining
Association for the following minerals matrix.
ALUMINUM
Packaging, transportation and building. |
ANTIMONY
Batteries, cable sheaths, solder, fireworks, semi-conductor technology. |
ASBESTOS
Fireproof fabrics, brake linings, yarn, cloth, paper, paint filler, roofing, etc. |
BARIUM
Radiography, filler or extender in cloth, ink and plastics products. |
BAUXITE
The main source of aluminum. |
BERYLLIUM
Aircraft alloys, fluorescent lamps, X-ray tubes, nuclear industry. |
CHROMITE
Used mainly in the chemical and metallurgical industries. |
COBALT
Superalloys for jet engines, chemicals, permanent magnets, etc. |
COLUMBITE-TANTALITE GROUP
Additive for steel making and in superalloys. |
COPPER
Electric cables and wires, switches, plumbing, heating, etc. |
FELDSPAR
Glass and ceramics, patter and enamelware, soaps, bonding agent. |
FLUORITE
(Fluorspar) pottery, ceramics, optical & plastics industries, etc. |
GOLD
Dentistry, medicine, jewelry, coins, scientific, electronic instruments. |
GYPSUM
Prefabricated wallboard, plaster, cement manufacture, agriculture. |
HALITE (SALT)
Food seasoning and preservation, soda ash, soaps, highway de-icing. |
IRON ORE
Steel manufacture, metallurgy by-products, auto parts, medicine, etc. |
LEAD
Batteries, solders, electrical & electronic applications, TVs. |
LITHIUM
Batteries, ceramics & glass, medicine, lubricants & greases. |
MANGANESE
Essential for iron & steel production. |
MICA
Electronic insulators, paints, joint cement, dusting agent. |
MOLYBDENUM
Alloy steels, tool steels, cast irons, super alloys, chemicals & lubricants. |
NICKEL
Alloy to stainless steel, chemical & aerospace industries. |
PERLITE
Roof insulation boards, fillers, filter aids, horticulture. |
PLATINUM GROUP
Catalytic converters, jewelry, electrical contacts, dental alloys. |
PHOSPHATE ROCK
Fertilizers, livestock feed additives, elemental phosphorus, etc. |
POTASH
Fertilizer, medicine, chemical industry, color effects on brass, etc. |
PYRITE
Sulfur, sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide production, jewelry. |
QUARTZ
Semiprecious gem stone, pressure gauges, oscillators, resonators. |
SILICA
Computer chips, glass & refractory materials, ceramics, abrasives, etc. |
SILVER
Photography, chemistry, jewelry, currency, electronics, dental. |
SODIUM CARBONATE
Glass container manufacture, fiberglass. |
STIBNITE
A major source mineral for antimony. |
SULFUR
Sulfuric acid, fertilizers, chemicals, explosives, fungicides, dyestuff. |
TANTALUM
Electronic components, weapon systems, high-speed tools, optical glass. |
TITANIUM
Jet engines, airframes, space & missile applications. |
TUNGSTEN
Metalworking, light bulb filament, glass coloring, textile dyes, etc. |
URANIUM
20% of U.S. electricity generation, nuclear medicine, atomic dating. |
VANADIUM
Metal alloys, aerospace, dyes, target material for X-rays. |
ZEOLITES
Aquaculture, water softeners, catalysts, cat litter, odor control. |
ZINC
Protective coating for steel, die casting, as component of brass, etc. |
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