Mineralogy Basics and Silicate Minerals

Minerals

• Essential natural compounds with a defined chemical composition and crystalline structure.
• Form the building blocks of rocks and can be classified into various groups based on their chemical composition.

Mineral Groups

• Minerals are categorized into distinct groups, primarily based on their anions or anionic complexes.
• Silicates, the most abundant mineral group, contain silicon and oxygen as the primary building blocks.

Silicate Minerals

• Silicate ion (SiO4) serves as a fundamental component, combining with various positive ions (cations) to create diverse silicate structures.
• Key silicate structures include chains (pyroxenes), sheets (micas), and three-dimensional frameworks (feldspars, quartz).

Mining Minerals

• Mining involves the extraction of valuable minerals from the earth, divided into methods based on the location of the ore.

Extracting Ores: Surface Mining

• Surface mining involves removing soil and rock above mineral deposits, allowing for easier access to minerals located near the earth's surface.
• Common techniques include open-pit mining and strip mining, suited for deposits that are horizontally expansive.

Extracting Ores: Underground Mining

• Underground mining is employed when minerals are located deep within the earth, necessitating advanced techniques and equipment.
• This method includes shaft mining and slope mining, focusing on minimizing surface disruption while accessing minerals more than a few hundred feet below ground.