Mineral resources are elements, chemical compounds, minerals or rocks, concentrated in such a form, which can be extracted to obtain a usable commodity.
There are many types of mineral resources; depending on their nature, uses, processing and production.
They can be classified as follows:
(1) Metallic minerals:
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(a) Ferrous based ores e.g. Magnetite, hematite etc.
(b) Ferrous metals e.g. Iron, steel
(c) Non-ferrous metals e.g. Al, Cu, Au, Zn etc.
(d) Non-ferrous ores e.g. Bauxite, chromite, galena (Zn, Pb)
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(2) Non-metallic minerals:
(a) Ceramic minerals e.g. Mica, porcelain, rocks, asbestos.
(b) Refractory minerals e.g. Magnesia, silica, alumina etc.
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(3) Energy producing minerals:
(a) Nuclear energy minerals e.g. Uranium, thorium etc.
(b) Thermal energy minerals e.g. Coal, petroleum.
(4) Minerals on the basis of use:
(a) For fertilizer industry e.g. Phosphates, sulphates etc.
(b) For petroleum industry e.g. Sulphur.
(c) For chemical industry e.g. Potassium, nitrates etc.
(d) For building construction e.g. Lime, asbestos etc.
(e) For agriculture e.g. Phosphates, nitrates etc.
(5) Miscellaneous mineral resources:
(a) Precious stones e.g. Diamond, emerald, ruby etc.