Properties of Commercially Important Minerals
This ready reference provides data on 350 common minerals and their properties.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Properties of Commercially Important Minerals
Chapter 1: Properties of Commercially Important Minerals
Minerals are natural substances that are formed from other natural compounds undergoing various geological processes. Minerals may occur as simple salts, silicates, and pure elements. The study of minerals is termed Mineralogy.
This handbook discusses the important properties of various commercially important minerals and also describes the classification of minerals.
Classification of Minerals
The classification of minerals has undergone many changes. Minerals can be classified based on the uses, structure, and physical properties.
Classification Based on Uses
The first attempts at classification were by Theophrastos in 372-287 B.C. and Plinius in 77 A.D. They tried to classify known minerals according to their usage.
Classification Based on Physical Structure
JD Dana began the process of scientific classification in 1837. This classification was further polished and presented by ES Dana in the book System of Mineralogy in 1892 and by PV Groth.
The new Dana Classification is based on the physical properties of the minerals. This classification encompasses more minerals than the old Dana classification.
Table 1-1 compares the old and new Dana classifications:
| Old Dana Classification | Classes in New Dana Classification |
|---|---|
| Native Elements | Class 1 |
| II Sulfides | Class 2, 3 |
| III Oxides and Hydroxides | Class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| IV Halides | Class 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| V Carbonates, Nitrates, Borates | Class 13, 14, 15, 16a, 16b, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 26, 27 |
| VI Sulfates, Chromates, Molybdates | Class 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 |
| VII Phosphates, Arsenates,... |
Copyright SkillSoft Corporation 2006 under license agreement with Books24x7
