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Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

MineralsMinerals

The Building Blocks of Rocks!The Building Blocks of Rocks!

Gem Identification Mineral Identification Flow Chart



What is a Mineral?What is a Mineral?

�� EarthEarth’’s crusts crust composed of mineralscomposed of minerals

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�� NaturallyNaturally occurring inorganic substancesoccurring inorganic substances

(not formed from a living thing)(not formed from a living thing)





Mineral CompositionMineral Composition

�� AtomsAtoms of elements of elements bond to form bond to form MoleculesMolecules

�� MoleculesMolecules form form CrystalsCrystals

�� CrystalsCrystals formform MineralsMinerals

�� MineralsMinerals form form Rocks!Rocks!



Bond Types & Bond Types &

Mineral CharacteristicsMineral Characteristics

Characteristic Ionic Covalent Metallic Characteristic Ionic Covalent Metallic Van Van derder WaalsWaals

StrengthStrength strong very variable weakstrong very variable weak

strongstrong

HardnessHardness moderate high low moderate high low -- softsoft

-- high moderatehigh moderate

ElectricalElectrical poor insulator good poor insulator good insulatorinsulator

SolubilitySolubility soluble low insoluble soluble low insoluble solublesoluble

ExamplesExamples halite diamond gold halite diamond gold graphitegraphite

calcite quartz calcite quartz



MineralsMinerals

�� Composed of Composed of specific elementsspecific elements

�� Most made of Most made of siliconsilicon and and oxygenoxygen

–– Most Most abundantabundant elements in Earthelements in Earth’’s crusts crust

–– Silicon and oxygen form Silicon and oxygen form silicatessilicates

�� Other elements:Other elements:

–– AluminumAluminum –– IronIron –– CalciumCalcium

–– SodiumSodium –– Magnesium Magnesium –– PotassiumPotassium

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�� CrystallineCrystalline——atoms and molecules are atoms and molecules are

bonded in a way that forms bonded in a way that forms patternspatterns

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�� Unique physicalUnique physical and and chemical propertieschemical properties





Properties used to Properties used to help identifyhelp identify the mineralthe mineral

–– Color Color ——not sufficient itself for identificationnot sufficient itself for identification

–– Streak Streak ——small powder trail left when rubbedsmall powder trail left when rubbed



–– Luster Luster ——way it reflects lightway it reflects light

–– Hardness Hardness ——resistance to being scratchedresistance to being scratched



�� CleavageCleavage——breaks along surface or planebreaks along surface or plane



�� Specific GravitySpecific Gravity

�� Compares the Compares the weight of a mineralweight of a mineral to the to the weight of an equal volume of water weight of an equal volume of water

relative density (relative density (m/vm/v))

�� ExEx: If the cubic centimeter of a mineral : If the cubic centimeter of a mineral weighs three times as much as a cubic weighs three times as much as a cubic centimeter of water, its specific gravity is 3.centimeter of water, its specific gravity is 3.

�� A common rock has a specific gravity of 2.5 A common rock has a specific gravity of 2.5 to 3. Others are much heavier.to 3. Others are much heavier.

�� ExEx: lead ore has a specific gravity of 7,: lead ore has a specific gravity of 7,

while pure gold is 20.while pure gold is 20.

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�� Chemical testsChemical tests

�� MagnetismMagnetism

�� Production of electrical currentProduction of electrical current

�� Flame testFlame test



LuminescenceLuminescence

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Fluorescent_minerals_hg.jpg



Importance of MineralsImportance of Minerals

Manufacturing ProductsManufacturing Products

Aluminum beverage cansAluminum beverage cans

Copper wiringCopper wiring

JewelryJewelry

Silicon computer chipsSilicon computer chips

Graphite in pencilsGraphite in pencils

Diamonds in drill bitDiamonds in drill bit

GravelGravel

Road saltRoad salt



Mineral Resources Mineral Resources from Earth Processesfrom Earth Processes

�� Volcanic EruptionsVolcanic Eruptions

�� EarthquakesEarthquakes

�� LandslidesLandslides

�� ErosionErosionwww.physicalgeography.net



Mineral DepositsMineral Deposits

�� Four different processesFour different processes

�� Volcanic activityVolcanic activity

�� Precipitation and evaporationPrecipitation and evaporation

�� Result of Result of leachingleaching



Mineral ResourcesMineral Resources

�� Naturally existing mineral, compound, or pure Naturally existing mineral, compound, or pure elementelement

–– Used by humans in some wayUsed by humans in some way

�� MetallicMetallic::

–– Existing in large quantitiesExisting in large quantities::

�� Iron, Aluminum, Magnesium,Titanium, and ManganeseIron, Aluminum, Magnesium,Titanium, and Manganese

–– Scarce metalsScarce metals::

�� Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Tin, and NickelGold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Tin, and Nickel

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�� Nonmetallic resourcesNonmetallic resources::

–– Construction materialsConstruction materials::

�� Gravel Gravel •• SandstoneSandstone

�� ShaleShale •• LimestoneLimestone

–– Others includeOthers include::

�� Phosphates Phosphates

�� SulfurSulfur

�� Sodium chlorideSodium chloride



Mining TechniquesMining Techniques

�� Two broad categoriesTwo broad categories::

–– Underground miningUnderground mining

–– Surface miningSurface mining

�� Open pitOpen pit —— open up the surface to excavateopen up the surface to excavate

�� Strip miningStrip mining——excavate shallow strips along surfaceexcavate shallow strips along surface

�� Hydraulic miningHydraulic mining ——highhigh--pressure blast of waterpressure blast of water

�� Dredging Dredging ——when below waterwhen below water



Salzburg Salzburg –– Salt MinesSalt Mines

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