Minerals and Rocks Identification

Mineral Properties

• Galena has a metallic luster
• Vitreous luster reflects white light like glass
• Hardness is measured by scratchability using the Mohs Hardness Scale
• The Vickers penetrometer measures hardness quantitatively

Mineral Groups

• Silicate minerals are the most important mineral group, accounting for 90% of all minerals
• Non-silicate minerals include carbonates, evaporites, and metallic minerals
• Examples of silicate minerals include quartz, feldspar, and biotite
• Examples of non-silicate minerals include calcite, dolomite, halite, magnetite, hematite, galena, and sphalerite

Mineral Resources

• Ores are concentrations of minerals that are the foundation of the mineral resource industry
• The life cycle of a mine involves exploration, discovery, development, production, and reclamation
• Prospectors are involved in the exploration for mineral resources
• 3 billion tons of minerals and metals are needed for green energy production

Rock Formation

• Rocks only partially melt, resulting in different minerals with different melting points
• Partial melting leads to a difference in composition between the magma and the original rock
• Crystallization occurs when magma cools and solidifies, forming a new solid rock
• Minerals crystallize at different temperatures, with mafic minerals (low silica) crystallizing at higher temperatures than felsic minerals (high silica)

Types of Rocks

• Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma
• Examples of igneous rocks include granite, basalt, and pegmatites
• Sedimentary rocks are formed through the breakdown of surface rocks and the accumulation of sediments
• Examples of sedimentary rocks include sandstone, shale, and conglomerate

Weathering and Sedimentation

• Weathering is the breakdown of rock into sediments through exposure to the elements
• Mechanical breakdown produces clasts, while chemical breakdown produces finer grains
• Lithification is the process of turning sediment into sedimentary rock
• Sedimentary rocks are the biggest source of paleo environmental information, including climate and life change and fossils

Mineral Identification

• Minerals have a prescribed composition that determines their properties
• There are over 4000 minerals identified, with each having unique properties
• Bancroft is known as the mineral capital of Canada
• Minerals can be identified through color, streak, crystallography, and cleavage
• Luster is the way light is reflected, and can be used to identify minerals