Enstatite is a magnesium-rich member of the pyroxene group whose subtle presence and clear signatures reveal much about planetary interiors, high-temperature processes, and the early Solar System. This article explores the mineral’s chemistry and structure, outlines where it is commonly found on Earth and in space, examines its usefulness in science and industry, and highlights […]
The Moatize Mine, set in the heart of central Mozambique, is one of the country’s most prominent mineral assets. Located near the town of Moatize in Tete Province, the deposit has attracted major international investors and has become a focal point for debates about economic development, regional infrastructure, environmental protection and social change. The mine
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Elbaite is a striking and versatile member of the tourmaline family, celebrated for its extraordinary range of colors, complex crystal growth, and significance both as a gem and as a geological recorder. Named for the island of Elba, where early specimens attracted mineralogists, elbaite is the lithium-rich endmember of the tourmaline group and has become
Eilat Stone is a unique and visually striking material known for its swirling shades of blue, green, and sometimes brown — a natural mosaic formed where copper-rich mineralization meets weathering processes. Valued both as a collector’s specimen and as an ornamental material, it combines several secondary copper minerals into distinctive patterns that evoke desert landscapes
The metal indium plays a quietly dominant role in two of the 21st century’s most visible technologies: the screens we tap every day and the solar modules that promise cleaner energy. This article examines why indium has become indispensable for modern touchscreens and certain types of photovoltaics, how its unique physical and chemical properties enable
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Mercury is one of those substances that fascinates and alarms in equal measure: a metal that flows like water, a historical symbol of transformation and mystery, and a modern environmental and public-health challenge. This article explores where mercury occurs in nature and industry, how it has been and is used, and several related topics that
The global transition to a low-carbon economy is reshaping demand for critical materials. Among them, copper stands out as a foundational metal for modern renewable energy systems, electrification of transport, and grid expansion. Rising appetite for clean technologies combined with constrained mine output and long lead times for new projects is creating a market environment
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The Hazelwood mine, located in the heart of Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, is a notable example of Australia’s long history with brown coal extraction. Once the primary fuel source for the adjacent Hazelwood power station, the mine played a major role in regional employment, electricity generation and the national conversation about the environmental and social costs
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Dravite is a member of the complex and widely varied group of minerals known as tourmalines. It is most commonly recognized by its deep brown to brownish-black colors but shows a fascinating range of chemical variability and geological settings. This article explores the mineral’s chemistry, typical environments of occurrence, practical and scientific applications, notable localities,
The Yallourn mine, located in the heart of Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, is one of Australia’s most prominent sources of brown coal. For decades it has been central to regional industry, providing the fuel that powered a string of nearby thermal power stations and shaping the economic and social life of the surrounding communities. This article
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