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 […]
The global market for palladium has undergone dramatic shifts over the past decade, driven primarily by the evolving landscape of automotive emissions control and changing geopolitical supply patterns. This article explores the complex interplay between industrial demand for palladium, the role of catalytic converters in regulating vehicle emissions, supply-side constraints, and how recycling and technological
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The Mission Mine in the United States is a significant site in the story of American copper production. Located in southern Arizona, the mine sits within a landscape shaped by volcanic and intrusive geological events that created rich porphyry copper deposits. Its operation as an open-pit mine, the scale of its mineral resources, and its
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Bytownite is a striking member of the plagioclase group whose mineralogical identity and geological significance reach from backyard geology into planetary science. Although often overshadowed in popular descriptions by its better-known relatives, bytownite plays a crucial role in interpreting magmatic histories, metamorphic processes and even the composition of other planetary bodies. This article explores where
Bustamite is a fascinating and sometimes overlooked mineral that occupies a special place among the manganese-bearing silicates. It is valued by geologists for what it reveals about rock-forming processes, by mineral collectors for its often attractive pinkish tones, and occasionally by lapidaries as a material for decorative stones. In the following sections I will describe
The following article examines the geology, operations, and broader significance of the Thompson Creek mine in the United States, focusing on its role as a source of molybdenum and the economic, technical and environmental dimensions of that activity. The mine has been an important component of the North American molybdenum supply chain and serves as
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Brookite is a compelling and often overlooked member of the titanium-oxide family. As one of the naturally occurring forms of titanium dioxide, it occupies an intriguing position between the more familiar anatase and rutile polymorphs. Its distinct crystal chemistry, uncommon occurrence in nature, and growing importance in nanoscale science make brookite a subject of interest
The Henderson Mine is one of the most important primary sources of molybdenum in the United States. Located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the operation has for decades supplied industry with molybdenite concentrates and downstream products that are critical for modern steelmaking, high-temperature alloys, and specialty chemical applications. This article examines where Henderson
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Cadmium is a soft, bluish-white metal known for its unique combination of chemical and physical properties and for the outsized role it has played in industry and environmental health debates. Although naturally present in the Earth’s crust at low concentrations, cadmium becomes problematic when concentrated through mining, smelting, or industrial use. This article explores where
The global scramble for energy transition and high-tech manufacturing has turned once-obscure elements into strategic assets. Governments now view minerals not just as inputs for industry but as instruments of national security and geopolitical influence. This article examines why major states are building reservoirs of rare inputs, how they do it, and what the long-term
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