Categories of Mineral Resources
There are more than 3000 various types of Minerals, and based on their composition &they can be divided into two major categories.
- Metallic Mineral Resources
- Non-metallic Mineral Resources
There are metals that are hard and conduct electricity and heat with characteristics of lustre or shine. Such metals are called metallic minerals. For example Silver, Chromium, Tin, Nickel, Copper, Iron, Lead, Aluminum, Gold, and Zinc.
Characteristics of Metallic Minerals
- Metallic Minerals show a metallic shine in their appearance.
- The potential source of the metal can be got through mining.
- Contains metals in their chemical composition.
- Metallic minerals contain metal in raw form.
There is a group of chemical elements that when melted do not generate a new product. Such special groups are called Nonmetallic minerals. Example: Dimension stone, halite, sand, gypsum, uranium metal, gravel.
Metallic minerals contain metal in the raw form. Metals are hard substances that conduct heat and electricity and have a characteristic lustre or shine. Iron ore, bauxite, and manganese ore are some examples. Metallic minerals may be ferrous or non-ferrous. Ferrous minerals like iron ore, manganese and chromites contain iron. A non-ferrous mineral does not contain iron but may contain some other metal, such as gold, silver, copper or lead.
Characteristics of Nonmetallic Mineral Resources
- Minerals appear with a non-metallic shine or lustre
- Do not contain extractable metals in their chemical composition
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