USES OF MINERALS

Uses of Minerals in Industry

Many people are unaware
that most of the things that
we use in our daily lives are
made of minerals.
Can you cite some examples of things that we use
in our daily lives that is made up of minerals?
Examples of Minerals and
their Uses
Halite
Also known as
salt.
Used for many
things such as
food seasoning
ang making acids.
Chlorine
Used in water
purification,
medicinal
purposes and
photography.
Copper
Used as electric
cables and wires,
switches,
heating,
protective
coating.
Diamond
Isa mineral made
up of the
element Carbon.
Used for cutting
tools and
gemstones in
jewelry.
Lead
 Used in lead – acid
batteries
 Gasoline additives (now
being eliminated) and
tanks, and solders, seals
or bearing
 Electrical and electronic
applications, TV tubes and
glass, construction,
communications and
protective coatings
Lead
 In ballast or weights
 Ceramic or crystal glass
X – ray and gamma
radiation shielding
 Soundproofing material
in construction industry
 Ammunition
Manganese
Used in iron and
steel production
Also used in the
making of
manganese
ferroalloy.
Nickel
 Usedin fabricated
metal products and
electrical equipment
 Petroleum and
chemical industries
 Household appliances
and industrial
machinery
Silicon
 Used in computer
chips, glass and
refractory materials
 Ceramics
 Abrasives
 Water filtration
 Component of
hydraulic cements
 Filler in cosmetics
Silicon
Pharmaceutical
Paper
Insecticides
Anti – caking agent
in foods
Flattening agent in
paints
Thermal insulator
Photovoltaic cells
Silver
 Usedin coins and
medals
 Electricaland
electronic devices
 Industrial applications
 Jewelry
 Silverware
 Photography
Sodium Carbonate
 Used in glass container
manufacture
 Fiberglass and specialty
glass and in production of
flat glass
 Liquid detergent
 Medicine
 Food additive
 Photography
 Cleaning and boiler
compound
Sulfur
Used in making
sulfuric acid
Fertilizers
Petroleum
refining
Metal mining
Aluminum
 Usedin
transportation
(automobiles)
 Packaging
 Building
/
construction
 Electrical
and
machinery
Feldspar
 Industrially
important in glass
and ceramic
industries
 Enamelware
 Soaps
 Bond for abrasive
 Wheels
Feldspar
 Cements
 Insulating
compositions
 Fertilizer
 Roofing materials
 As sizing or filler
 In textile and paper
Fluorite (Fluorspar)
 Used in production
of hydrofluoric acid
which is used in the
pottery, ceramics,
optical,
electroplating and
plastic industries
Mineral deposits are sources of:

Metal for cars and airplanes

Quartz and feldspar for glass
Fluorite and calcite for toothpaste
Silver compounds for photographic film
Mica and talc for paint