C o m m o n non-metallic ores

Material Uses Main ore minerals Formula Sp. gr. Occurrence

ANHYDRITE Increasing importance as a fertiliser, and ANHYDRITE CaSO 4 2.95 Occurs with gypsum and halite as a saline
in manufacture of plasters, cements, residue. Occurs also in "cap rock" above
sulphates, and sulphuric acid salt domes, and as minor gangue mineral
in hydrothermal metallic ore veins
APATITE See PHOSPHATES
ASBESTOS Heat-resistant materials, such as CHRYSOTILE Mg3Si205 (OH)4 2.5-2.6 Fibrous serpentine occurring as small veins
fire-proof fabrics and brake-linings. (Serpentised in massive serpentine
Also asbestos cement products, asbestos)
sheets for roofing and cladding, CROCIDOLITE Na 2(Mg, Fe, A1)5 3.4 Fibrous riebeckite, or blue asbestos,
fire-proof paints, etc. Si8022(OH)2 occurring as veins in bedded ironstones
AMOSITE (Mg, Fe)7Si8022 3.2 Fibrous anthophyllite, occurring as long
(OH)2 fibres in certain metamorphic rocks
ACTINOLITE Ca2(Mg, Fe)5Si8 3.0-3.4 True asbestos, occurring in schists and in
022(OH)2 some igneous rocks as alteration product
of pyroxene

BADDELEYITE Ceramics, abrasives, refractories, BADDELEYITE ZrO 2 5.4-6.0 Mainly found in gravels with zircon,
polishing powders, and manufacture tourmaline, corundum, ilmenite, and
of zirconium chemicals rare-earth minerals
(continued)
Material Uses Main ore minerals Formula Sp. gr. Occurrence

BARYTES Main use in oil- and gas-well drilling BARYTE BaSO 4 4.5 Most common barium mineral, occurring in
industry in finely ground state as vein deposits as gangue mineral with ores
weighting agent in drilling muds. of lead, copper, zinc, together with
Also in manufacture of barium fluorite, calcite, and quartz. Also as
chemicals, and as filler and extender replacement deposit of limestone and in
in paint and rubber industries sedimentary deposits
BORATES Used in manufacture of insulating BORAX Na2B407 9 1.7 An evaporate mineral, precipitated by the
fibreglass, as fluxes for manufacture 10H20 evaporation of water in saline lakes,
of glasses and enamels. Borax used together with halite, sulphates, carbonates,
in soap and glue industries, in cloth and other borates in arid regions
manufacture and tanning. Also used KERNITE Na2B407 9 1.95 Very important source of borates.
as preservatives, antiseptics, and in 4H20 Occurrence as borax
paint driers COLEMANITE Ca2B6Oll 2.4 In association with borax, but principally as
5H20 a lining to cavities in sedimentary rocks
ULEXITE NaCaBsO 9 9 1.9 Occurs with borax in lake deposits. Also
8H20 with gypsum and rock salt
SASSOLINE H3BO3 1.48 Occurs with sulphur in volcanoes and in hot
lakes and lagoons
BORACITE Mg3B7013C1 2.95 Occurs in saline deposits with rock-salt,
gypsum, and anhydrite
CALCIUM Many uses according to purity and CALCITE CaCO 3 2.7 Calcite is a common and widely distributed
CARBONATE character. Clayey variety used for mineral, often occurring in veins, either as
cement, purer variety for lime. main constituent, or as gangue mineral
Marble for building and ornamental with metallic ores. It is a rock-forming
stones. Used as smelting flux, and mineral, which is mainly quarried as the
in printing processes. Chalk and sedimentary rocks limestone and chalk,
lime applied to soil as dressing. and metamorphic rock marble
Transparent calcite (Iceland spar),
used in construction of optical
apparatus
CHINA CLAY Manufacture of porcelain and china.
Used as filler in manufacture of
paper, rubber, and paint
CHROMITE Used as refractory in steel-making
furnaces
CORUNDUM Abrasive. Next to diamond, is hardest
known mineral. Coloured variety
used as gemstones
CRYOLITE Used as flux in manufacture of
aluminium by electrolysis
DIAMOND Gemstone. Used extensively in industry
for abrasive and cutting purposes -
hardest known mineral. Used for
tipping drills in mining and oil
industry
DOLOMITE Important building material. Also used
for furnace linings and as flux in
steel-making
EMERY See CORUNDUM
EPSOM SALTS Medicine and tanning
KAOLINITE A12Si205 (OH)4 2.6 A secondary mineral produced by the
alteration of aluminous silicates, and
particularly of alkali feldspars
CHROMITE See CHROMIUM
MINERALS
(Appendix 1)
CORUNDUM A1203 3.9-4.1 Occurs in several ways. Original constituent
(Emery) of various igneous rocks, such as syenite.
Also in metamorphic rocks such as
marble, gneiss, and schist. Occurs also in
pegmatites and in alluvial deposits.
Impure form is emery, containing much
magnetic and hematite
CRYOLITE Na3A1F 6 3.0 Occurs in pegmatite veins in granite with
siderite, quartz, galena, sphalerite,
chalcopyrite, fluorite cassiterite, and other
minerals. Only real deposit in Greenland
DIAMOND (Bort) C 3.5 Distributed sporadically in kimberlite pipes.
Also in alluvial beach and river deposits.
Bort is grey to black and opaque, and is
used industrially
DOLOMITE CaMg(CO3)2 2.8-2.9 Rock-forming mineral. Occurs as gangue
mineral in veins containing galena and
sphalerite
EPSOMITE MgSO 4 97H20 1.7 Usually as encrusting masses on walls of
caves or mine workings. Also in oxidised
zone of pyrite deposits in arid regions

(continued)
Material Uses Main ore minerals Formula Sp. gr. Occurrence

FELDSPAR Used in manufacture of porcelain, ORTHOCLASE KA1Si3 08 2.6 Most abundant of all minerals, and
pottery, and glass. Used in (Isomorphous most important rock-forming
production of glazes on earthware, f o r m s - Microline, mineral. Widely distributed, mainly
etc., and as mild abrasive Sanidine, and in igneous, but also in metamorphic
Adularia - the and sedimentary rocks
potassic feldspars)
ALBITE NaA1Si308 2.6
ANORTHITE CaA12Si208 2.74
(Plagioclase feldspars form series having formulae
ranging from NaA1Si308 to CaA12Si208, changing
progressively from albite, through oligoclase, andesine,
labradorite, and bytownite to anorthite)
FLUORSPAR Mainly as flux in steelmaking. Also FLUORITE CaF 2 3.2 Widely distributed, hydrothermal
for manufacture of specialised veins and replacement deposits,
optical equipment, production of either alone, or with galena,
hydrofluoric acid, and sphalerite, barytes, calcite, and
fluorocarbons for aerosols. other minerals
Colour-banded variety known as
Blue-John used as semi-precious
stone
GARNET Mainly as abrasive for sandblasting of PYROPE Mg3A12 (SiO4) 3 3.7 Widely distributed in metamorphic
aircraft components, and for wood ALMANDINE Fe3A12 (SiO4) 3 4.0 and some igneous rocks. Also
polishing. Also certain varieties GROSSULAR CaaA12 (SiO4) 3 3.5 commonly found as constituent of
used as gemstones ANDRADITE Ca3Fe 2(SiO4) 3 3.8 beach and river deposits
SPESSARTITE Mn3A12 (SiO4) 3 4.2
UVAROVITE Ca3Cr2 (SiO4) 3 3.4
GRAPHITE Manufacture of foundry GRAPHITE C 2.1-2.3 Occurs as disseminated flakes
(Plumbago) moulds, crucibles, and paint; in metamorphic rocks
used as lubricant and as derived from rocks with
electric furnace electrodes appreciable carbon content.
Also as veins in igneous
rocks and pegmatites
GYPSUM Used in cement manufacture, as a GYPSUM CaSO 4 92H 20 2.3 Evaporate mineral, occurring with
fertiliser, and as filler in various halite and anhydrite in bedded
materials such as paper, rubber, etc. deposits
Used to produce plaster of Paris

ILMENITE About 90% of ilmenite produced is ILMENITE See TITANIUM

used for manufacture of titanium MINERALS
dioxide, a pigment used in pottery (Appendix 1)
manufacture
MAGNESITE Used as refractory for steel furnace MAGNESITE See MAGNESIUM
linings, and in production of carbon MINERALS
dioxide and magnesium salts (Appendix I)

MICA Used for insulating purposes in MUSCOVITE KAlz(AISi3Olo) 2.8-2.9 Widely distributed in igneous rocks, such
electrical apparatus. Ground mica (OH, F)2 as granite and pegmatites. Also in
used in production of roofing metamorphic rocks - gneisses and schists.
material, and in lubricants, Also in sedimentary sandstones, clays, etc.
wall-finishes artificial stone, etc. PHLOGOPITE KMg3 (A1Si3010) 2.8-2.85 Most commonly in metamorphosed
Powdered mica gives "frost" effect (OH, F): limestones, also in igneous rocks rich in
on Christmas cards and decorations magnesia
BIOTITE K(Mg, Fe)3 2.7-3.3 Widely distributed in granite, syenite and
(A1Si3Olo)(OH, F)2 diorite. Common constituent of schists and
gneisses and of contact metamorphic rocks

PHOSPHATES Main use as fertilisers. Small amounts
used in production of phosphorous
chemicals
APATITE Ca5 (PO4)3 3.1-3.3 Occurs as accessory mineral in wide range
(F, C1, OH) of igneous rocks, such as pegmatites. Also
in metamorphic rocks, especially
metamorphosed limestones and skarns.
Principal constituent of fossil bones in
sedimentary rocks
PHOSPHATE Complex Most extensive phosphate rock deposits
ROCK phosphates of associated with marine sediments,
Ca, Fe, A1 typically glauconite-bearing sandstones,
limestones, and shales. Guano is an
accumulation of excrement of sea-birds,
found mainly on oceanic islands
(continued)
Material Uses Main ore minerals Formula Sp. gr. Occurrence

POTASH Used as fertilisers, and source of SYLVINE KC1 2.0 Occurs in bedded evaporate deposits
potassium salts. Nitre also used in with halite and carnallite
explosives manufacture (saltpetre) CARNALLITE KMgC13 6H20
9 1.6 In evaporate deposits with sylvine and halite
ALUNITE Kml3 (504)2 (OH)6 2.6 Secondary mineral found in areas where
volcanic rocks containing potassic
feldspars have been altered by acid
solutions
NITRE KNO 3 2.1 Occurs in soils in arid regions, associated
with gypsum, halite, and nitratine
QUARTZ Building materials, glass making, See SILICON
pottery, silica bricks, ferro-silicon, MINERALS
etc. Used as abrasive in scouring (Appendix 1)
soaps, sandpaper, toothpaste, etc.
Due to its piezo-electric properties,
quartz crystals widely used in
electronics
ROCK SALT Culinary and preserving uses. Wide HALITE NaC1 2.2 Occurs in extensive stratified evaporate
use in chemical manufacturing deposits, formed by evaporation of
processes land-locked seas in geological past.
Associates with other water soluble
minerals, such as sylvine, gypsum, and
anhydrite
RUTILE Production of welding rod coatings, See TITANIUM
and titanium dioxide, a pigment MINERALS
used in pottery manufacture (Appendix 1)
SERPENTINE Used as building stone and other SERPENTINE Mg3Si205 (OH)4 2.5-2.6 Secondary mineral formed from minerals
ornamental work. Fibrous varieties such as olivine and orthopyroxene. Occurs
source of asbestos (See ASBESTOS) in igneous rocks containing these minerals,
but typically in serpentines, formed by
alteration of olivine-bearing rocks
SILLIMANITE Raw material for high-alumina KYANITE A12SiO5 3.5-3.7 Typically in regionally metamorphosed schists
MINERALS refractories, for iron and steel (Disthene) and gneisses, together with garnet, mica, and
(Aluminium industry, and other metal smelters. quartz. Also in pegmatites and quartz veins
silicates) Also used in glass industry, and associated with schists and gneisses
as insulating porcelains for ANDALUSITE A12SiO5 3.1-3.2 In metamorphosed rocks of clayey
spark-plugs, etc. composition. Also as accessory mineral in
some pegmatites, with corundum,
tourmaline, and topaz
SILLIMANITE AleSiO 5 3.2-3.3 Typically in schists and gneisses produced
by high-grade regional metamorphism
MULLITE A16Si2013 3.2 Rarely found in nature, but synthetic mullite
produced in many countries
SULPHUR Production of fertilisers, sulphuric NATIVE S 2.0-2.1 In craters and crevices of extinct volcanoes. In
acid, insecticides, gunpowder, SULPHUR sedimentary rocks, mainly limestone in
sulphur dioxide, etc. association with gypsum. Also in cap rock of salt
domes, with anhydrite, gypsum, and calcite
PYRITE See IRON
MINERALS
(Appendix 1)
TALC As filler for paints, paper, rubber, etc. TALC Mg3Si4Olo (OH)2 2.6-2.8 Secondary mineral formed by alteration of
Used in plasters, lubricants, toilet olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole, and
powder, French chalk. Massive occurs along faults in magnesium
varieties used for sinks, laboratory rich rocks. Also occurs in schists, in
tabletops, acid tanks, etc. association with actinolite. Massive talc
known as soapstone or stealite
VERMICULITE Outstanding thermal and sound VERMICULITE Mg 3(A1, Si)4Olo 2.3-2.4 Occurs as an alteration product of magnesian
insulating properties, light, (OH)2 9 micas, in association with carbonatites
fire-resistant, and i n e r t - used 4H20
principally in building industry
WITHERITE Source of barium salts. Small WITHERITE BaCO 3 4.3 Not of wide occurrence. Sometimes
quantities used in pottery industry accompanies galena in hydrothermal
veins, together with anglesite and baryte
ZIRCON SAND Used in foundries, refractories, ZIRCON See ZIRCONIUM
ceramics, and abrasives, and in MINERALS
chemical production (Appendix 1)