Anthophyllite is a relatively uncommon member of the amphibole group of minerals that has attracted attention for both its geological significance and its controversial role as one of the naturally occurring forms of asbestos. In this article you will find an overview of what anthophyllite is, how and where it forms, the ways humans have […]
The Goonyella Riverside mine complex sits at the heart of Queensland’s coal country and plays a pivotal role in supplying global steelmakers with high-quality coal. Located in the prolific Bowen Basin of central Queensland, the operation is widely recognised for producing premium metallurgical coal that is essential to the international steelmaking industry. Beyond extraction, Goonyella
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Annabergite occupies a small but fascinating corner of mineralogy: a striking, often vivid green secondary arsenate that serves both as a visual emblem of weathered nickel deposits and as a reminder of the complex interplay between geology, chemistry and human industry. This article explores where annabergite is found, how it forms, what uses and implications
The Sandaozhuang Mine is an important Chinese operation focused primarily on the production of molybdenum. Situated within one of the country’s mineral-rich districts, the mine has attracted attention for its role in supplying molybdenum concentrates to domestic and international markets, for its integration of modern mining and processing techniques, and for its influence on local
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Ankerite is a fascinating member of the carbonate mineral family whose chemical variability and textural diversity make it important both as a recorder of past geological processes and as an indicator mineral in many ore-forming environments. This article explores where ankerite occurs, how it forms, its physical and chemical characteristics, and the practical and scientific
The Dexing Copper Mine is one of China’s most prominent mineral operations, noted for its large-scale extraction of copper and associated metals. Located in the eastern reaches of the country, the mine combines significant geological value with broad economic and industrial influence. This article examines the mine’s setting, the nature of its deposits and production,
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Tungsten sits among the most remarkable elements on the periodic table: heavy, resilient, and central to technologies that run from everyday electronics to the most demanding industrial environments. Known by the chemical symbol W and atomic number 74, this metal combines a unique set of physical and chemical properties that make it indispensable in both
The global push to decarbonize energy systems is rewriting industrial priorities and consumption patterns. As countries accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels toward low-carbon alternatives, demand for a narrower set of materials needed for clean technologies is soaring. This article examines how the energy transition intensifies pressure on supplies of rare metals, why current
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The Bayan Obo mining complex in northern China stands as one of the most consequential mineral deposits of the modern era. Its scale, the diversity of commodities it contains, and its role in shaping global supply chains for critical materials make it an object of industrial, environmental and geopolitical attention. This article examines the mine’s
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Anhydrite is a widely distributed mineral with a deceptively simple composition and surprisingly diverse implications for industry, geology, and engineering. Found in natural sedimentary deposits, hydrothermal veins, and as a product of the dehydration of related minerals, it plays roles that range from being a raw material for industrial processes to a geological agent that
