Sodalite Blue is a striking and much-loved ornamental stone known for its deep, often royal sodalite tones and contrasting white veining. This mineral attracts gem collectors, lapidary artists and designers for its distinctive blue color and versatile applications, from beads and cabochons to architectural slabs. Beyond aesthetics, sodalite has an interesting geological story, a number […]
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The industrial heartland of polar Siberia is dominated by an enormous mining and metallurgical complex often referred to collectively as the Norilsk-Talnakh area. Located above the Arctic Circle, this remote cluster of operations sits at the edge of the tundra and permafrost and has shaped regional life, global metal markets, and environmental debates for decades.
Norilsk-Talnakh – Russia – Nickel/Copper/Palladium Read More »
The vast plains of southern Mongolia host one of the world’s most significant coal deposits: Tavan Tolgoi. This massive complex, whose name means “Five Hills” in Mongolian, is a focal point of national development, international investment and geopolitical interest. The deposit’s scale, quality and strategic location near the Chinese border have made it a central
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Halite, commonly known as rock salt, is a mineral that has shaped landscapes, economies and cultures for millennia. It is admired by geologists for its simple cubic crystals, studied by chemists for its role as the primary source of table salt, and utilized by engineers and municipalities for practical, everyday functions such as road maintenance.
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Aragonite is a fascinating and widely distributed mineral form of calcium carbonate that plays major roles in geology, biology and human industry. Although less stable at Earth’s surface than its polymorph calcite, aragonite forms elegant acicular crystals and needle-like aggregates, builds the shells and skeletons of many marine organisms, and appears in caves, hydrothermal systems
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The Erdenet mining complex stands as one of Mongolia’s most important industrial landmarks, a large-scale operation built around a rich porphyry deposit of copper and molybdenum. Located in the north-central part of the country, the mine has shaped the region’s urban development, influenced national trade patterns, and remained a focal point of political and economic
Erdenet Mine – Mongolia – Copper/Molybdenum Read More »
Bismuth is an often-overlooked metal with a combination of properties that make it both scientifically fascinating and increasingly useful across industries. Although it sits near the bottom of the periodic table among the post-transition metals, its unusual physical and chemical behavior, striking crystalline forms and comparatively benign biological profile have driven renewed interest from researchers,
The evolution of nuclear reactor technology has placed zirconium at the center of material science and supply-chain discussions. As an element whose properties — low neutron absorption, good mechanical strength at high temperatures, and relatively low corrosion rates in water — make it uniquely suitable for fuel cladding, zirconium and its alloys remain essential to
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Chiastolite is a fascinating and visually striking variety of the mineral andalusite, prized both by collectors and lapidaries for its distinctive dark, cross-shaped inclusions. This article explores its mineralogical identity, typical environments of occurrence, practical uses in jewelry and ornamentation, and the cultural and metaphysical associations that have grown up around it. Along the way,
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The Oyu Tolgoi complex in southern Mongolia has become one of the most talked-about mining developments of the 21st century. Combining vast mineral reserves with ambitious engineering, complex political negotiations and major socioeconomic impacts, it is a project that reshapes both the local landscape and national prospects. This article explores where Oyu Tolgoi is located,
Oyu Tolgoi – Mongolia – Copper/Gold Read More »
