Gypsum is a versatile and widely distributed mineral whose presence shapes landscapes, building practices, and industrial processes around the world. Known both for its delicate, glassy crystals and its practical uses in construction and agriculture, gypsum bridges geology and everyday life. This article explores where gypsum forms and occurs, how it is extracted and processed, […]
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Palladium is one of the most intriguing and versatile elements in the periodic table. As a member of the platinum group metals, it combines unusual chemical behavior with wide-ranging industrial uses that connect geology, chemistry, automotive engineering, electronics, and even jewelry. This article explores where palladium is found, how it is applied across modern technologies,
The global scramble for critical minerals has prompted a powerful resurgence of mineral nationalism, a policy stance in which states reassert control over their geological resources to maximize domestic benefit. This trend is reshaping trade flows, investment patterns and industrial strategies across continents. As governments pursue policies that emphasize sovereignty, local value creation and strategic
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Selenite is a remarkable and often misunderstood variety of the common mineral gypsum. Recognizable for its glassy, often transparent crystals and its delicate, silky luster, selenite captures attention both in scientific contexts and among collectors, artists, and those interested in metaphysical properties. This article explores its mineralogical characteristics, natural occurrences, practical applications, cultural significance, and
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The name Tongon evokes one of the more important modern mining operations in West Africa. Located in the northern reaches of the country commonly known in English as the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), the Tongon operation is a gold-producing mine that has played a notable role in regional development, government revenue and the local economy.
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Scapolite is a fascinating group of silicate minerals that occupies a unique place in both petrology and gemology. Often occurring as well-formed prismatic crystals or as granular aggregates in metamorphosed carbonate rocks, scapolite records important information about the fluids and conditions that altered its host rocks. This article explores where scapolite forms, its distinguishing physical
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The Agbaou Mine is one of the notable gold-producing sites in West Africa, located within the borders of the Ivory Coast. Its presence reflects the country’s expanding role in the global gold market and demonstrates how modern extraction projects can shape local economies, infrastructure, and environmental practice. This article explores where Agbaou is located, what
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Ruby Zoisite is a striking and unusual ornamental stone that combines verdant green matrix with vivid red crystals, producing one of the most visually dramatic natural combinations found in gemstones. Often sought after by collectors, lapidaries and metaphysical practitioners alike, this material can be both sculpted into elegant jewelry and carved into bold decorative pieces.
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The Gamsberg Mine, situated in the dry, mineral-rich heart of South Africa’s Northern Cape, stands out as one of the country’s most significant zinc developments of the 21st century. Combining a high-quality zinc orebody, modern open-pit mining methods and a purpose-built processing plant, the mine has attracted attention not only for its contribution to global
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Rhodium is one of the rarest and most intriguing metals in the periodic table. Its unique combination of physical resilience, chemical inertness and catalytic activity has made it highly prized for industrial applications, scientific research and specialized consumer uses. This article explores where rhodium occurs in nature, how it is extracted and refined, the many
