The story of Gidi Mine is part of the larger narrative of Nigeria’s struggle to balance natural-resource potential with social, economic and environmental realities. Located within one of the country’s coal-bearing belts, Gidi is a lesser-known but illustrative example of how local mineral deposits can shape communities, industry and policymaking. This article explores where Gidi […]
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Boron is a small but remarkably influential element: a metalloid that sits at the crossroads of chemistry, materials science and technology. It appears in nature in a handful of mineral forms, enters our lives through glass, ceramics, agriculture and electronics, and inspires frontier research ranging from two-dimensional materials to neutron-based cancer therapies. This article surveys
The global competition for technological leadership has placed rare earth elements at the center of strategic thinking. These 17 metal elements, essential for everything from electric vehicle motors and wind turbines to military sensors and advanced electronics, are not evenly distributed nor easily substituted. As countries form and reshape alliances, the availability of critical inputs
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Cavansite is one of the most visually striking and sought-after secondary minerals among collectors and researchers. Its electric blue color, uncommon crystal habits and close associations with zeolite-filled basalts make it a fascinating subject for mineralogy, gemology and even art. This article explores cavansite’s chemistry and appearance, the geological settings where it forms, its uses
The Smith Ranch-Highland complex is a notable example of modern uranium production in the United States. Located in the central-western part of the country, the project has helped sustain domestic supply chains for nuclear fuel and illustrates how technological approaches to mining can reduce surface disturbance while still accessing significant mineral resources. This article examines
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Cassiterite is the primary source of metallic tin, a metal that has shaped human technology from the Bronze Age to modern electronics. Chemically known as SnO2, cassiterite is valued both as a mineral specimen and as an industrial raw material. This article examines its mineralogical characteristics, geological settings, global distribution, methods of recovery and processing,
The Crow Butte Mine is a notable example of modern uranium extraction in the United States. Located in the northwestern part of the state, the site has played a role in supplying raw material for the nuclear fuel cycle while illustrating both the economic promise and environmental complexities of contemporary mining. This article examines where
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Cancrinite is a striking yet underappreciated member of the feldspathoid family, notable for its distinctive cage- and channel-bearing framework and its ability to host a variety of anions and molecules. It is both a mineralogical curiosity and a subject of active research because of its unique structure, occurrence in highly alkaline rocks, and potential technological
Turquoise Ridge is one of the notable gold mining operations in the United States, occupying a strategic place within Nevada’s prolific mineral belt. The mine complex combines modern underground mining techniques with decades of exploration knowledge to produce gold from a classic Nevada deposit type. Its role stretches beyond simple commodity extraction: Turquoise Ridge contributes
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The element at the crossroads of chemistry, biology and technology carries a name that evokes both ancient myth and modern utility. This article explores the many faces of selenium: where it is found in the Earth and in living systems, how humans extract and apply it across industries, the fascinating physical and chemical properties that
