Lithium is a small, silvery metal with outsized influence on modern technology, healthcare, and geopolitics. Despite being one of the lightest elements on the periodic table, its chemical properties have made it indispensable in energy storage, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. This article explores where lithium is found, how it is extracted and processed, the many […]
The rapid expansion of solar energy is reshaping global energy systems and creating ripple effects across commodity markets. One metal that stands out in this transition is silver, a material with unique electrical and optical properties that make it indispensable to many photovoltaic technologies. As more countries, corporations, and consumers adopt solar power, the resulting
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Bismuth is an often-overlooked but fascinating mineral and native metal with a range of geological occurrences, unusual physical and chemical properties, and growing industrial and scientific applications. This article explores where bismuth is found, how it behaves in nature and in the laboratory, the processes used to extract and refine it, its principal and emerging
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The Kovdor mining complex is one of the most recognizable industrial sites on the Kola Peninsula. Located in the far northwest of Russia, the mine extracts both phosphate-bearing and iron-rich ores from a distinctive igneous massif and processes them into concentrates that feed domestic industry and export markets. This article explores the mine’s location and
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Magnesite is a mineral with a deceptively simple chemical formula yet a complex and varied role across geology, industry and emerging technologies. Formed in several geological settings and valued primarily as a source of magnesium and magnesium oxide, this carbonate mineral has been used for centuries and is now central to high-temperature industries, environmental applications
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The Mirny Mine is one of the most iconic industrial landmarks of the Russian Arctic, a colossal excavation that symbolises decades of mineral wealth extracted from the permafrost of Siberia. Located in the heart of the Sakha Republic, this remarkable site has shaped local communities, influenced global diamond supply, and become a potent symbol of
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Lepidolite is a visually striking, mica-group mineral valued both by collectors and industry. Recognized for its lavender to rose-violet hues and flaky, scaly habit, it is an important source of several alkali metals and is intimately tied to the geology of Li-bearing granitic systems. This article explores the mineral’s chemistry and physical characteristics, its geological
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The Udachny mine is one of the most important diamond-producing sites in Russia and the world. Located in the remote expanses of northeastern Siberia, it has shaped the industrial development of the Sakha region, contributed to global diamond supply, and served as a focal point for innovations in cold-climate mining. This article explores the mine’s
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The silvery-gray element discussed below has played diverse roles across civilizations, industries and the environment. It is both a subject of ancient lore and a modern material critical to specific technologies. This article explores its natural occurrence, extraction, chemistry, uses, health and environmental aspects, and a selection of intriguing facts that reflect its enduring relevance.
Tantalum quietly underpins a vast portion of the electronics that shape modern life. From tiny components deep inside smartphones to critical parts in medical implants and aerospace systems, this metal’s combination of unique physical and chemical properties makes it indispensable. The following article explores why tantalum matters, how it is used across industries, and the
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