Gehlenite is a member of the melilite mineral group whose presence links high-temperature geological processes, advanced ceramic technology, and even the earliest solid condensates of the solar system. This article explores the mineral’s defining characteristics, natural occurrences, and practical and scientific applications, highlighting why gehlenite remains a subject of interest for mineralogists, materials scientists, and […]
Gaspeite is a striking and relatively rare nickel-bearing carbonate mineral prized by collectors, lapidaries and geologists alike for its vivid apple-green color and intriguing origins. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, gaspeite provides valuable clues about the weathering and supergene processes that affect nickel-rich rocks, and it occasionally contributes to nickel ore in certain deposits. This article
The Catoca mine is one of the most important and visually arresting mineral operations on the African continent. Located in the heart of southern Angola, the site combines geological rarity, large-scale industrial mining and a complex web of economic and social impacts. This article examines where Catoca sits on the map, what it produces, how
Catoca Mine – Angola – Diamonds Read More »
Potassium is an element that quietly underpins much of life on Earth, the modern chemical industry, and numerous natural processes. Its presence is so ubiquitous that it often goes unnoticed, yet its role is decisive—from the way plants grow to how our hearts beat. This article explores where potassium occurs, how it is used across
The global push to limit greenhouse gas emissions is reshaping demand for raw materials, with one metal in particular emerging as a strategic cornerstone of the energy transition. This article examines how contemporary climate policies and regulatory frameworks are driving increased demand for nickel, explores the metal’s technical role in low-carbon technologies, outlines the regulatory
How climate regulations increase nickel mining demand Read More »
Galena is one of the most recognizable and historically important minerals on Earth. As the principal ore of lead and a frequent carrier of silver, it has shaped economies, technologies, and landscapes for millennia. This article explores where galena is found, how it forms, its properties and uses, and several fascinating scientific and cultural connections
The Mona Gema Mine sits among the diamond-bearing landscapes of southern Africa and has come to represent a distinct chapter in Angola’s mineral story. This article examines where the mine is located, the types of material extracted there, the operation’s broader economic footprint, and several noteworthy aspects that make Mona Gema an interesting case study
Mona Gema Mine – Angola – Diamonds Read More »
Galaxite is a relatively rare and intriguing member of the spinel family of minerals, often overlooked outside specialist mineralogical circles but prized by collectors and geologists for what it reveals about manganese-rich geological environments. This article explores its mineralogical character, typical geological settings, known occurrences, uses and applications, and some of the scientific and cultural
The Akjoujt mine sits as one of the better-known mineral localities in western Africa, located in the country of Akjoujt’s region of interest within Mauritania. This site has drawn attention for its base-metal mineralization, most notably copper, and for the role it has played in regional mining development. The following article examines where the mine
Akjoujt Mine – Mauritania – Copper Read More »
Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark-colored igneous rock that plays a central role in understanding Earth’s interior and provides a variety of practical uses in construction and industry. Formed deep beneath the surface from slowly cooled mafic magma, gabbro contrasts with its fine-grained volcanic counterpart, basalt, and appears in settings from oceanic crust to continental layered
