Uses of Minerals

The naturally occurring elements or compounds called minerals occupy a major portion of the earth's crust. The importance of minerals lies in the fact that whatever we use/see in our daily life, be it toothpaste or a toothpaste factory, everything and anything is made from minerals. These are not just used in the making of material things but are also present in the food we eat. Hence, it would not be wrong to say that minerals are an indispensable part of human life. 

Though we all might have come across the term 'minerals' many times, many of us may think, 'What are minerals used for!' To get a better idea about the types of minerals and their uses, let us classify the minerals into the following two categories-

1. Metallic minerals, e.g.- copper, bauxite, gold etc.

2. Non-metallic minerals, e.g.- fossil fuels, graphite etc.

As the name suggests, metallic minerals are the sources of metals. These can be further classified into ferrous (having iron content) and non-ferrous minerals (devoid of iron content). 

What Are Metallic Minerals?

Metallic minerals are naturally occurring elements or compounds, mostly of metallic nature. These are used to extract metals from them. For example, bauxite is used to pull aluminium out of it; iron ore is processed to make steel; copper is separated from its ore through chemical treatment and so on. Metallic minerals (ores) can be broadly classified into ferrous and non-ferrous ores. 

Ferrous ores: These are the ores that contain iron as a major component. The most common ferrous ore is hematite, which is used to make pig iron (a type of steel).

Non-ferrous ores: Ores that do not have iron as a dominant component are called non-ferrous ores. The most common example is copper ore, which is used to make brass and bronze.

Uses of Metallic Minerals

Since metallic minerals are sources of metals, they are good conductors of heat and electricity. This is why they find use in a wide range of industrial applications. The following are a few uses of some important metallic minerals: -

• Aluminium: Aluminium is the most abundant metallic mineral in the earth's crust. It is extracted from bauxite ore. It finds application in a number of industries including,

• Automobile industry 

• Building industry

• Electrical industry

• Manufacture of cans, bottles etc.

• Copper: It is another important metallic mineral that has a wide range of uses.

• It is used in making machine parts, electronic components, electrical wires etc.

• Coins and jewellery are also made using copper.

• Plant diseases can also be treated using copper compounds.

• Gold: Gold is a metallic mineral that is very lustrous. It is primarily used in making jewellery. Hence, it is also an economical mineral. Being an excellent conductor of electricity, it is also used in the electronic industry.

As much as we use minerals in our daily life, in the making of material goods and appliances, we use them in our daily diet. Let us now discuss some of the uses of minerals in the body.

What Are Non-Metallic Minerals?

Non-metallic minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids that do not have metal content. The most common examples are coal, petroleum, natural gas etc. which are used to obtain energy in the form of heat and electricity.

Types of Metallic Minerals

Based on their structure and formation, metallic minerals can be classified into two broad types- Igneous minerals and sedimentary minerals.

Igneous minerals: These are the minerals that are formed from the solidification of molten rocks called magma. The most common example is granite, which is used to make countertops and tiles.

Sedimentary Minerals: Minerals that are formed by the deposition of sediments (small pieces of rocks and other material) are called sedimentary minerals. The most common example is coal, which is used to produce electricity.

What Are The Uses of Non-Metallic Minerals?

Non-metallic minerals are used as building materials. Some of the most common examples include brick, stone, glass etc. which are used for construction purposes.

They also find use in manufacturing chemicals that help in agricultural activities and treatment of water bodies. Non-metallic minerals have the potential to produce energy, which has become increasingly important in recent years.

There are many uses of minerals outside the earth's crust, including construction materials such as marble, slate, sandpaper and ceramic tiles; gemstones such as diamonds for use in jewellery; and agricultural fertilisers.

Uses of Minerals In The Body:

Minerals play a vital role in the growth and development of the human body. Following are a few essential minerals required by the human body and their uses.

• Calcium - It is the most abundant mineral found in the human body and is required for healthy bones and teeth. It also helps in regulating blood pressure and the immune system and fluid balance within cells. Calcium also plays a key role in the efficient working of enzymes. The deficiency of calcium can lead to brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) which causes bone deterioration. Proper intake of a calcium-rich diet is thus important for the growth and development of the body. Milk, cheese, nuts, yoghurt etc are a few calcium-rich foods.

• Potassium, Sodium - These are minerals having great significance in the human body as they play a vital role in carrying out electrical and cellular functions. Potassium is the most predominant cation found within cells. These are used for nerve transmission and muscle contraction. Potassium is present in more amounts than sodium in our bodies. A high intake of sodium causes hypertension (high blood pressure). Hence, it is important to maintain a proper balance of sodium and potassium in the body to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains are high in potassium and low in sodium. 

• Sulphur - It is an important part of the protein. It is also necessary for insulin production. Seafood, onions, turnips, garlic etc. contain a good amount of sulphur.

• Phosphorus - It is required for healthy bones. The skeleton consists of 85% of body phosphorus. The phosphate ion also helps in maintaining acid-base balance.

• Magnesium - A major portion of magnesium is present in bones. It is important to carry out neuromuscular transmissions and various functions of enzyme systems.

As we now know, everything we see around us in this modern world is composed of minerals, this is a clear indication of the economic importance of minerals in today's world. 

Economic Uses of Minerals 

As far as economic uses of minerals are concerned, non-metallic minerals or energy minerals mainly serve the purpose. They are used in the agriculture industry, transportation industry, power industry etc. Apart from non-metallic minerals, precious metals like gold, silver and platinum also have great economic importance.

Energy minerals like coal, petroleum, natural gas are the basic fuels and are used in thermal power generation, automobile engines, cosmetic industries, manufacture of synthetic rubber and much more. 

Ever wondered, what are the roads that we walk on or the houses that we live in are made from? These are made from construction minerals like sand, gravel, clay or crushed rocks that are used in the manufacture of bricks, concrete etc. If we are able to cover a distance of many kilometres in just a few minutes, it is only because of the automobiles that run from fuels. If we see the world around us, all lightened and brightened up even in the dark, then it is only because of the electrical energy being produced using various metallic and energy minerals. The uses of mineral resources are immense and the depletion of minerals can create a serious impact on human life. 

Overall, we can say that everything ranging from the chalk we use to write on blackboards to the buses we take to reach the school, is made from minerals. In fact, this entire world and all the living beings around us are composed of minerals. The characteristic chemical and physical properties of minerals are responsible for their wide range of uses. This is why minerals are a significant part of our everyday life and an important topic of study. The more we learn about it, the more we know about the immense potential of minerals in making human life much easier and more sophisticated.

Conclusion:

In this article, we have come to know about the significance of minerals. We have also learnt that everything around us is composed of minerals and their uses in our everyday life. As a final note, it can be said that there are a lot of sources from which we may get information on mineralogy. The 'Uses of Minerals' article is a great starting point for students who are new to the subject. It is a comprehensive resource that provides information on the most common minerals and their uses. So, the next time you come across a mineral specimen or a rock sample, don't forget to take it to your school or college geology lab to analyse and find out more about it.