Non-metallic Minerals

- noncombustible solid rocks or minerals

used in industry and construction in natural
form or after mechanical, thermal, or chemical
processing or for the extraction of nonmetallic
elements or their compounds

The non-metallic minerals deposits are

refined and applied in the construction industry
primarily, for instance, as floor tiles, roof tiles,
bricks, cement and others. The non-metallic
minerals are also used to produce consumer
durable goods like decorative items and tableware.
Both Small Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) and
global heavy businesses are involved in the
procurement and development of these non-metal
products.

Non-Metallic Minerals Deposits

1. Sulfur

This non-metallic mineral is an important component in the

manufacturing industry and is also used to develop fertilizers and drugs. It is
an industrial raw material, rather its industrial derivative, sulfuric acid, is the
major industrial raw material. Sulfur is also used in oil refining works and it is
also an importance source for sulfur.
2. Phosphorus
The phosphorus is derived from phosphate rock and it is then used to
make ammoniated phosphate fertilizers, produce phosphoric acid, livestock
feed additives, elemental phosphorus and phosphate chemicals for both
home consumption and industrial consumption. The non-metallic minerals
deposit in the US is mainly found in Utah, Idaho, and North Carolina.

3. Magnesium

Olivine, Magnesite and Dolomite are the three ores through which
magnesium is derived and they are used in the chemical, paper,
insulation, rubber, cement, animal feed and the pharmaceutical industries.
4. Calcium

The non-metallic minerals deposit of calcium is found in many

geographical places. Their appearance is not in the white-silvery metal
form as we see it but as calcium carbonate. Apatite, calcite, dolomite,
fluorite, gypsum are some of the common minerals that contain calcium
deposits. The calcium non-metallic minerals deposit is frequently used in
the construction industry as crushed stone, for lime production,
pharmaceuticals, foods, paint, paper, plastics, rubber, cosmetics,
adhesives, and sealants. In other words, calcium has widespread use.

5. Cement

A non-metallic minerals deposit, cement is primarily used for

building mortar, stucco and it is an important component for building
construction. These non-metal products are a mixture of clay, lime and
other crystallized minerals that harden with application of water. Cement
is also used for concrete binding.
6. Clay
The non-metallic material, clay, again has widespread use, both in
consumer durable sector and the industrial sector. Clay is used in ironore pelletizing, as construction material, floor building, wall tile creation,
sanitary wear, paper manufacturing, rubber, refractorys, dinnerware,
pottery, fire clay, foundry sands, mud drilling, cosmetics, absorbents and
as filtering materials.