MINERAL USES 40 common minerals and metals Why Are They Important

Aluminum: the most abundant metal Cobalt: used in superalloys for jet Gold: used in dentistry and medicine;
element in the Earth’s crust. Bauxite engines; chemicals (paint driers, in jewelry and arts; in medallions
is the main source of aluminum. Alu- catalysts, magnetic coatings); per- and coins; in ingots as a store of
minum is used in the United States manent magnets; and cemented value; for scienti•c and electronic
in packaging (31%), transportation carbides for cutting tools. Principal instruments; as an electrolyte in
(22%), and building (19%). Guinea cobalt producing countries include the electroplating industry. South
and Australia have 46 percent of the Zaire, Zambia, Canada, Cuba, and Africa has about half of the world’s
world’s reserves. Other countries resources. Signi•cant quantities are
the former Soviet Union. The also present in the U.S., Australia,
with major reserves include Brazil,
Jamaica, and India. United States uses about one-third Brazil, Canada, China, and the for-
of total world consumption. Cobalt mer Soviet Union.
Antimony: a native element; antimony resources in the U.S. are low grade
metal is extracted from stibnite and and production from these deposits Gypsum: processed and used as pre-
other minerals. Antimony is used as fabricated wallboard or as industrial
a hardening alloy for lead, especially is not economically feasible. or building plaster; used in cement
storage batteries and cable sheaths; Columbite-tantalite group manufacture; agriculture and other
also used in bearing metal; type (columbium is another name for uses.
metal; solder; collapsible tubes and niobium): the principal ore of Halite (Sodium chloride—Salt):
foil; sheet and pipes; and, semicon- niobium and tantalum, used mostly used in human and animal diet, food
ductor technology. as an additive in steel making and seasoning and food preservation;
Asbestos: because this group of in superalloys; used in metallurgy used to prepare sodium hydroxide,
silicate minerals can be readily for heat-resistant alloys, rust- soda ash, caustic soda, hydrochloric
separated into thin, strong fibers proofing (stainless steel), and acid, chlorine, metallic sodium; used
that are !exible, heat resistant, and electromagnetic superconductors. in ceramic glazes; metallurgy; cur-
chemically inert, asbestos miner- Brazil and Canada are the world’s ing of hides; mineral waters; soap
als are suitable for use in •reproof leading producers. manufacture; home water softeners;
fabrics, yarn, cloth, paper, paint highway deicing; photography; her-
•ller, gaskets, roo•ng composition, Copper: used in electric cables and bicide; •re extinguishing; nuclear
reinforcing agent in rubber and wires, switches, plumbing, heating; reactors; mouthwash; medicine (heat
plastics, brake linings, tiles, electri- roo•ng and building construction; exhaustion); in scienti•c equipment
cal and heat insulation, cement, and chemical and pharmaceutical ma- for optical parts.
chemical •lters. chinery; alloys (brass, bronze, and Iron Ore: used to manufacture steels of
Barium: used as a heavy additive in a new alloy with 3% beryllium that various types. Powdered iron: used
oil-well-drilling mud; in the paper is particularly vibration resistant); in metallurgy products; magnets;
and rubber industries; as a •ller or alloy castings; electroplated protec- high-frequency cores; auto parts;
extender in cloth, ink, and plastics tive coatings and undercoats for catalyst. Radioactive iron (iron 59):
products; in radiography (“barium nickel, chromium, zinc, etc. The in medicine; tracer element in bio-
milkshake”); as getter (scavenger) leading producer is Chile, followed chemical and metallurgical research.
alloys in vacuum tubes; deoxidizer by the U.S., the former Soviet Iron blue: in paints, printing inks;
for copper; lubricant for anode rotors Union, and Canada. plastics; cosmetics (eye shadow);
in X-ray tubes; sparkplug alloys. artist colors; laundry blue; paper
Also used to make an expensive Feldspar: a rock-forming mineral; dyeing; fertilizer ingredient; baked
white pigment. industrially important in glass and enamel •nishes for autos and appli-
ceramic industries; pottery and ances; industrial •nishes. Black iron
Bauxite: a general term for a rock
composed of hydrated aluminum enamelware; soaps; abrasives; bond oxide: as pigment; in polishing com-
oxides; it is the main ore of alumina for abrasive wheels; cements and pounds; metallurgy; medicine; mag-
to make aluminum; also used in the concretes; insulating compositions; netic inks; in ferrites for electronics
production of synthetic corundum fertilizer; poultry grit; tarred roof- industry. Major producers of iron ore
and aluminous refractories. ing materials; and as a sizing (or include Australia, Brazil, China, and
•ller) in textiles and paper. the former Soviet Union.
Beryllium: used in the nuclear industry
and in light, very strong alloys used Fluorite (!uorspar): used in produc- Lead: used in lead batteries, gasoline
in the aircraft industry. Beryllium tion of hydrofluoric acid, which additives and tanks, and solders,
salts are used in !uorescent lamps, is used in the pottery, ceramics, seals or bearings; used in electri-
in X-ray tubes and as a deoxidizer in cal and electronic applications; TV
optical, electroplating, and plastics tubes, TV glass, construction, com-
bronze metallurgy. Beryl is the gem industries; in the metallurgical
stones emerald and aquamarine. munications, and protective coat-
treatment of bauxite, which is the ings; in ballast or weights; ceramics
Chromite: 99 percent of the world’s ore of alumina; as a !ux in open or crystal glass; tubes or containers,
chromite is found in South Africa hearth steel furnaces and in metal type metal, foil or wire; X-ray and
and Zimbabwe. Chemical and met- smelting; in carbon electrodes; gamma radiation shielding; sound-
allurgical industries use 85% of the emery wheels; electric arc welders; proo•ng material in construction
chromite consumed in the U.S. toothpaste; and paint pigment.

Mineral Information Institute Littleton, Colorado www.mii.org 47

 industry; and ammunition. The Perlite: expanded perlite is used in roof Silica: used in manufacture of glass
U.S. is the world’s largest producer insulation boards; as •llers, •lter and refractory materials; ceramics;
and consumer of lead metal. Other aids, and for horticultural. abrasives; water •ltration; compo-
major mine producers include Aus- Platinum Group Metals (includes nent of hydraulic cements; •ller in
tralia, Canada, and the former Soviet platinum, palladium, rhodium, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paper,
Union. iridium, osmium, and ruthenium): insecticides; rubber reinforcing
Lithium: lithium compounds are used they are among the scarcest of the agent, especially for high adhesion to
in ceramics and glass; in primary metallic elements. Platinum is textiles; anti-caking agent in foods;
aluminum production; in the manu- used principally in catalysts for the flatting agent in paints; thermal
facture of lubricants and greases; control of automobile and indus- insulator.
rocket propellants; vitamin A syn- trial plant emissions; in catalysts to Silver: used in photography, chemistry,
thesis; silver solders; underwater produce acids, organic chemicals, jewelry; in electronics because of its
buoyancy devices; batteries. and pharmaceuticals. PGMs used very high conductivity; as currency,
Manganese: essential to iron and in bushings for making glass •bers generally in some form of an alloy;
steel production. The U.S., Japan, used in fiber-reinforced plastic in lining vats and other equipment
and Western Europe are all nearly and other advanced materials, in for chemical reaction vessels, water
de•cient in economically minable electrical contacts, in capacitors, in distillation, etc.; catalyst in manu-
manganese. South Africa and the conductive and resistive •lms used facture of ethylene; mirrors; electric
former Soviet Union have over 70% in electronic circuits; in dental alloys conductors; batteries; silver plating;
of the world’s reserves. used for making crowns and bridges; table cutlery; dental, medical, and
in jewelry. The former Soviet Union scienti•c equipment; electrical con-
Mica: micas commonly occur as !akes, and South Africa have nearly all the tacts; bearing metal; magnet wind-
scales, or shreds. Sheet muscovite world’s reserves. ings; brazing alloys, solder. Silver
(white) mica is used in electronic is mined in 56 countries. Alaska and
insulators (mainly in vacuum tubes); Potash: a carbonate of potassium; used
as a fertilizer; in medicine; in the Nevada produce most of the U.S.
ground mica in paint, as joint cement, chemical industry; used to produce silver. Largest silver reserves are
as a dusting agent, in well-drilling decorative color effects on brass, found in Chile, Peru, Poland, Mexico
muds; and in plastics, roo•ng, rub- bronze, and nickel. and China.
ber, and welding rods. Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash or Tro-
Pyrite: used in the manufacture of sul-
Molybdenum: used in alloy steels fur, sulfuric acid, and sulfur dioxide; na): used in glass container manufac-
(47% of all uses) to make automotive pellets of pressed pyrite dust are ture; in •berglass and specialty glass;
parts, construction equipment, gas used to recover iron, gold, copper, also used in production of !at glass;
transmission pipes; stainless steels cobalt, nickel, etc. in liquid detergents; in medicine; as a
(21%) used in water distribution food additive; photography; cleaning
systems, food handling equipment, Quartz (Silica): as a crystal, quartz is and boiler compounds; pH control
chemical processing equipment, used as a semiprecious gem stone. of water.
home, hospital, and laboratory Cryptocrystalline forms may also
be gem stones: agate, jasper, onyx, Stibnite (the main ore of Antimony):
requirements; tool steels (9%) bear- used for metal antifriction alloys,
ings, dies, machining components; carnelian, chalcedony, etc. Crystal-
line gem varieties include amethyst, metal type, shot, batteries; in the
cast irons (7%) steel mill rolls, auto manufacture of •reworks. Antimony
parts, crusher parts; super alloys citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz,
etc. Because of its piezoelectric salts are used in the rubber and textile
(7%) in furnace parts, gas turbine industries, in medicine; and glass
parts, chemical processing equip- properties quartz is used for pres-
sure gauges, oscillators, resonators, making.
ment; chemicals and lubricants (8%) and wave stabilizers; because of its Sulfur: used in the manufacture of
as catalysts, paint pigments, cor- ability to rotate the plane of polariza- sulfuric acid, fertilizers, chemicals,
rosion inhibitors, smoke and !ame tion of light and its transparency in explosives, dyestuffs, petroleum
retardants, and as a lubricant. As ultraviolet rays it is used in heat-ray re•ning; rubber; fungicides.
a pure metal, molybdenum is used lamps, prism, and spectrographic
because of its high melting tempera- Tantalum: a refractory metal with
lenses. Used in the manufacture of unique electrical, chemical, and
tures (4,730 °F.) as •lament supports glass, paints, abrasives, refractories,
in light bulbs, metalworking dies physical properties is used to pro-
and precision instruments. duce electronic components; used
and furnace parts. Major producing
countries are Canada, Chile, and Rare Earth Elements: industrial for high-purity metals in products
the U.S. consumption of rare earth ores is pri- ranging from weapon systems to
marily in petroleum !uid cracking superconductors; capacitors; chemi-
Nickel: vital as an alloy to stainless catalysts, metallurgical additives, cal equipment; dental and surgical
steel; plays key role in the chemical ceramics and polishing compounds, instruments; rectifiers; vacuum
and aerospace industries. Leading permanent magnets, and phosphors. tubes; furnace components; high-
producers include Australia, Canada, Rare earth elements are lanthanum, speed tools; catalyst; sutures and
Norway and the former Soviet cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, body implants; electronic circuitry;
Union. Largest reserves are found promethium, samarium, europium, thin-•lm components. Used in opti-
in Cuba, New Caledonia, Canada, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, cal glass and electroplating devices.
Indonesia, and the Philippines. holmium, erbium, thulium, ytter- There is no tantalum mined in the
bium, and lutetium. United States.
Mineral Information Institute Littleton, Colorado www.mii.org 48
Titanium: a metal used mostly in jet and sulfuric acid; in dyes and (essential growth element); chemicals;
engines, airframes, and space and mordants; as target material for X- roof gutters; engravers’ plates; cable
missile applications; produced in rays. The former Soviet Union and wrappings; organ pipes; in pennies;
the western and central U.S., the South Africa are the world’s larg- as sacri!cial anodes used to protect
United Kingdom, China, Japan, and est producers of vanadium. Large ship hulls from galvanic action; in
the former Soviet Union. reserves are also found in the U.S. catalysts; in "uxes; in phosphors; and
Tungsten: used in metalworking; and China. in additives to lubricating oils and
construction and electrical machin- Zeolites: used in aquaculture (fish greases. Zinc oxide: in medicine, in
ery and equipment; in transporta- hatcheries for removing ammonia paints, as an activator and accelerator
tion equipment; as !lament in light from the water); water softener; in in vulcanizing rubber; as an electro-
bulbs; as a carbide in drilling equip- catalysts; cat litter; odor control; static and photoconductive agent in
ment; in heat and radiation shielding; and for removing radioactive ions photocopying. Zinc dust: for primers,
textile dyes, enamels, paints, and for from nuclear plant ef"uent. paints, sherardizing, precipitation of
coloring glass. Major producers are noble metals; removal of impurities
Zinc: used as protective coating on from solution in zinc electrowinning.
China, Korea, and the former Soviet steel, as die casting, as an alloying
Union. Large reserves are also found Zinc is mined in over 50 countries
metal with copper to make brass, with Canada the leading producer,
in the U.S., Bolivia, Canada, and The and as chemical compounds in rub-
Federal Republic of Germany. followed by the former Soviet Union,
ber and paints; used as sheet zinc Australia, Peru, and China. In the
Vanadium: used in metal alloys; im- and for galvanizing iron; electro- U.S. mine production mostly comes
portant in the production of aero- plating; metal spraying; automotive from Tennessee, Missouri, New York
space titanium alloys; as a catalyst parts; electrical fuses; anodes; dry and Alaska.
for production of maleic anhydride cell batteries; fungicides; nutrition

MAJOR MINERAL and ENERGY OCCURRENCES - UNITED STATES

There are known reserves of the following mineral materials in nearly every state:
construction sand and gravel, crushed stone, a variety of industrial minerals, and gemstones.

Alabama: Asphalt (At); Bauxite (Al); Colorado: Beryl (Be); Clay (Cl); Indiana: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Gypsum
Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Iron Ore (Fe); Coal (C); Copper (Cu); Fluorspar (Gp); Limestone (Ls); Natural Gas
Limestone (Ls); Marble (Mr); Mica (F); Gold (Au); Iron Ore (Fe); Lead (G); and, Petroleum (O).
(Mi); Salt (Na); and, Petroleum (Pb); Marble (Mr); Mica (Mi); Mo- Iowa: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Gypsum
(O). lybdenum (Mo); Natural Gas (G); (Gp); and, Limestone (Ls).
Alaska: Beryl (Be); Coal (C); Cop- Petroleum (O); Silver (Ag); Tung-
sten (W); Uranium (U); Vanadium Kansas: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Gyp-
per (Cu); Gold (Au); Iron Ore (Fe); sum (Gp); Helium (He); Lead (Pb);
Mercury (Hg); Molybdenum (Mo); (V); and, Zinc (Zn).
Limestone (Ls); Natural Gas (G);
Natural Gas (G); Petroleum (O); Connecticut: Clay (Cl), Mica (Mi). Petroleum (O); Salt (Na); and, Zinc
Platinum (Pt); Tungsten (W); Ura- Delaware: Marl (Greensand) and (Zn).
nium (U), and, Zinc (Zn). Magnesium (Mg+) Compounds Kentucky: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Flu-
Arizona: Asbestos (Ab); Copper (Cu); (from sea water). orspar (F); Limestone (Ls); Natural
Gold (Au); Gypsum (Gp); Lead (Pb); Florida: Clay (Cl); Limestone (Ls); Gas (G); and, Petroleum (O).
Mercury (Hg); Molybdenum (Mo); Peat (Pe); Phosphates (P); Titanium
Silver (Ag); Uranium (U); Vanadium Louisiana: Gypsum (Gp); Natural Gas
(Ti); and, Zirconium (Zr). (G); Petroleum (O); Salt (Na), and,
(V); and, Zinc (Zn).
Georgia: Barite (Ba); Bauxite (Al); Sulfur (S).
Arkansas: Barite (Ba); Bauxite (Al); Clay (Cl); Gold (Au); Granite (Gn);
Bromine (Br); Clay (Cl); Coal Maine: Clay (Cl); and, Mica (Mi).
Iron Ore (Fe); Manganese (Mn);
(C); Diamonds (D); Gypsum (Gp); Marble (Mr); Mica (Mi); Slate (Sl); Maryland: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Lime-
Marble (Mr); Natural Gas (G); Pe- Talc (Tc); and, Titanium (Ti). stone (Ls); and, Natural Gas (G).
troleum (O); Soapstone (Sp), and, Massachusetts: Granite (Gn); and,
Zinc (Zn). Hawaii: Clay (Cl). Volcanic activity
is building unknown mineral wealth Limestone (Ls).
California: Asbestos (Ab); Borax at this time. Michigan: Bromine (Br); Clay (Cl);
(Bx); Bromine (Br); Clay (Cl); Cop- Copper (Cu); Gypsum (Gp); Iron
per (Cu); Gold (Au); Gypsum (Gp); Idaho: Antimony (Sb); Cobalt (Co);
Copper (Cu); Gold (Au); Iron Ore Ore (Fe); Limestone (Ls); Natural
Iron Ore (Fe); Lead (Pb); Lithium Gas (G); Peat (Pe); Petroleum (O);
(Lt) Magnesium (Mg); Marble (Mr); (Fe); Lead (Pb); Mercury (Hg);
Phosphates (P); Silver (Ag); Tho- Potash (K); and, Salt (Na).
Mercury (Hg); Molybdenum (Mo); Minnesota: Clay (Cl); Cobalt (Co);
Natural Gas (G); Petroleum (O); rium (Th); Titanium (Ti); Vanadium
(V); Tungsten (W); and, Zinc (Zn). Copper (Cu); Granite (Gn); Iron Ore
Platinum (Pt); Potash (K); Rare (Fe); Limestone (Ls); Manganese
Earths (RE); Salt (Na); Silver (Ag); Illinois: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Fluorspar
(F); Lead (Pb); Limestone (Ls); Pe- (Mn); and Nickel (Ni).
Talc (Tc); Tungsten (W); and,
Zinc. troleum (O); and Zinc (Zn).
Mineral Information Institute Littleton, Colorado www.mii.org 49
Mississippi: Clay (Cl); Iron Ore (Fe); North Carolina: Asbestos (Ab); Texas: Asphalt (At); Clay (Cl); Gran-
Natural Gas (G); and, Petroleum Clay (Cl); Copper (Cu); Gold (Au); ite (Gn); Graphite (Gr); Gypsum
(O). Granite (Gn); Lithium (Lt); Marble (Gp); Helium (He); Iron Ore (Fe);
Missouri: Barite (Ba); Clay (Cl); Coal (Mr); Mica (Mi); Phosphates (P); Limestone (Ls); Natural Gas (G);
(C); Copper (Cu); Iron Ore (Fe); Talc (Tc); and, Tungsten (W). Petroleum (O); Salt (Na); Silver
Lead (Pb); Limestone (Ls); Marble North Dakota: Clay (Cl); Lignite (Ag); Sulfur (S); Talc (Tc); and,
(Mr); Natural Gas (G); Silver (Ag); (Lg); Natural Gas (G); Petroleum Uranium (U).
and, Zinc (Zn). (O); Salt (Na); and, Uranium (U). Utah: Asphalt (At); Beryllium (Be);
Montana: Copper (Cu); Gold (Au); Ohio: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Gypsum Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Copper (Cu);
Graphite (Gr); Gypsum (Gp); Lead (Gp); Limestone (Ls); Natural Gas Gallium (Ga); Germanium (Ge);
(Pb); Manganese (Mn); Natural Gas (G); Petroleum (O); Salt (Na); and, Gold (Au); Gypsum (Gp); Iron Ore
(G); Petroleum (O); Palladium (Pd); Sandstone (Ss). (Fe); Magnesium (Mg); Molybde-
Phosphates (P); Platinum (Pt); Silver num (Mo); Natural Gas (G); Petro-
Oklahoma: Coal (C); Copper (Cu); leum (O); Phosphates (P); Potash
(Ag); Thorium (Th); Tungsten (W); Gypsum (GP); Helium (He); Lead
Vermiculite; and, Zinc (Zn). (K); Salt (Na); Silver (Ag); Uranium
(Pb); Limestone (Ls); Natural Gas (U); and, Vanadium (V).
Nebraska: Clay (Cl); Natural Gas (G); (G); Petroleum (O); and, Zinc
and Petroleum (O). (Zn). Vermont: Asbestos (Ab); Granite
(Gn); Marble (Mr); Slate (Sl); and,
Nevada: Barite (Ba); Clay (Cl); Cop- Oregon: Gold (Au); Mercury (Hg); Talc (Tc).
per (Cu); Gold (Au); Gypsum (Gp); Silver (Ag); and, Uranium (U).
Lead (Pb); Lithium (Lt); Magnesium Virginia: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Gypsum
Pennsylvania: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); (Gp); Lead (Pb); Limestone (Ls);
(Mg); Mercury (Hg); Molybdenum Cobalt (Co); Iron Ore (Fe); Lime-
(Mo); Petroleum (O); Salt (Na); Sil- Slate (Sl); Soapstone (Sp); Titanium
stone (Ls); Natural Gas (G); Pe- (Ti); and, Zinc (Zn).
ver (Ag); Sulfur (S); Tungsten (W); troleum (O); Sandstone (Ss); Slate
and, Zinc (Zn). (Sl); and, Zinc (Zn). Washington: Clay (Cl); Coal (C);
New Hampshire: Beryl (Be); Granite Copper (Cu); Gold (Au); Gypsum
Rhode Island: Sand and Gravel (SG) (Gp); Lead (Pb); Magnesium (Mg);
(Gn); Mica (Mi); Thorium (Th). and Crushed Stone (CS) Marble (Mr); Silver (Ag); Talc (Tc);
New Jersey: Clay (Cl); Titanium (Ti); South Carolina: Clay (Cl); and, Mica Uranium (U); Tungsten (W); and,
and, Zinc (Zn). (Mi). Zinc (Zn).
New Mexico: Coal (C); Copper (Cu); South Dakota: Beryl (Be); Gold West Virginia: Clay (Cl); Coal (C);
Gold (Au); Gypsum (Gp); Lead (Pb); (Au); Granite (Gn); Mica (Mi); Pe- Limestone (Ls); Natural Gas (G);
Marble (Mr); Molybdenum (Mo); troleum (O); Silver (Ag); Uranium Petroleum (O); and, Salt (Na).
Natural Gas (G); Petroleum (O); (U); and, Vanadium (V).
Potash (K); Salt (Na); Silver (Ag); Wisconsin: Copper (Cu); Iron Ore
Uranium (U); Vanadium (V); and, Tennessee: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Cop- (Fe); Lead (Pb); Limestone (Ls);
Zinc (Zn). per (Cu); Iron Ore (Fe); Limestone and, Zinc (Zn).
(Ls); Marble (Mr); Phosphates (P); Wyoming: Clay (Cl); Coal (C); Dia-
New York: Clay (Cl); Emery (Em); Pyrites (S); Sandstone (Ss); and,
Garnet (Gt); Gypsum (Gp); Iron Ore monds (D); Iron Ore (Fe); Natural
Zinc (Zn). Gas (G); Petroleum (O); Phosphate
(Fe); Lead (Pb); Limestone (Ls);
Natural Gas (G); Petroleum (O); Salt (P); Uranium (U); and, Vanadium
(Na); Sandstone (Ss); Silver (Ag); (V).
Slate (Sl); Talc (Tc); Titanium (Ti); What's The Difference
and, Zinc (Zn). mineral An inorganic substance
occurring in nature, though not Suggested Activities
Find Out necessarily of inorganic origin,
Can you and your class identify
• How far the sand and gravel which has (1) a de•nite chemical
other mineral resources found in
must be transported to make composition or, more commonly
your state?
your sidewalks? a characteristic range of chemical
composition, and (2) distinctive With this listing, identify the
physical properties or molecular minerals that are scarce within
• How many miles of crushed the geographical boundaries of
stone must be transported to be structure.
the United States. Use a map to
used as road-•ll for the road in metal An opaque, lustrous, elemental,
plot your •ndings.
front of where you live? chemical substance that is a good
conductor of heat and electricity Plot on a map the states that have
• How much more does it cost to and, when polished, a good re!ector mineral resources like those
make the sidewalks, driveways, of light. found in your state.
and house foundations when industrial mineral Rocks and Does your state have wind power?
the sand and gravel has to be minerals not produced as sources Solar power? Geothermal
transported greater distances? of the metals but excluding mineral power? Hydropower? Coal-
Investigate" fuels. •red plants?

Mineral Information Institute Littleton, Colorado www.mii.org 50