Bronzite is a distinctive mineral belonging to the orthopyroxene group, valued by geologists and collectors for its characteristic bronze-like sheen and its geological significance. Its name evokes the metallic lustre that many specimens display, making it both a scientific interest and an attractive ornamental stone. This article explores the mineral’s identity, how and where it […]
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The Resolution Copper project is one of the most discussed and controversial mining developments in the United States. Located in the heart of southern Arizona, this venture aims to tap one of the country’s largest undeveloped copper deposits. Beyond raw extraction, Resolution Copper represents a convergence of modern mining engineering, complex land and water permitting,
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The Navajo coal mine sits at the intersection of geology, energy policy and tribal sovereignty in the American Southwest. Located within the broader San Juan Basin region, it has been a focal point for the extraction of coal used primarily for power generation, a source of local employment and revenue, and a site of contentious
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Fibrolite is the historic name given to the fibrous variety of the mineral sillimanite, a high‑temperature aluminium silicate with the chemical formula Al2SiO5. Recognized by its slender, often silky fibers, fibrolite has captured attention both for what it reveals about the metamorphic history of rocks and for its occasional industrial uses. This article examines where
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Indium is a soft, silvery post-transition metal with surprising importance far beyond its modest abundance. Though it exists only in trace amounts in the Earth’s crust, modern technology has elevated it to the status of a strategically important material. This article explores where indium is found, how it is produced and recycled, the many ways
The global transition to low-carbon energy systems is reshaping commodity markets, with particular implications for copper. As economies electrify transportation, heating and industry, demand for certain materials will rise sharply. This article examines the multiple forces driving copper consumption, the constraints on supply and processing, technological and market responses that could moderate future needs, and
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Shungite is a remarkable and enigmatic form of carbon-rich rock that has attracted attention from geologists, chemists, health enthusiasts and designers alike. Often dark and lustrous, it carries a mix of ancient geological history, unusual molecular structures and a variety of practical uses. This article explores the origins, composition, global occurrences, traditional and modern applications,
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The Carlsbad Potash District in the United States is one of North America’s notable mineral provinces, centered in southeastern Carlsbad, New Mexico. Renowned for its subsurface evaporite layers that host commercially valuable potassium salts, the district has shaped regional development, supported agricultural supply chains, and contributed to the broader history of mineral extraction in the
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Jet Stone — a compact, deep black organic material often associated with lignite and ancient forests — occupies a curious place at the intersection of geology, craft and cultural history. Both a lightweight gemstone for wearable art and a scientific marker of prehistoric ecosystems, jet connects human creativity with the slow processes of fossilization. This
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The Homestake Mine in the United States is one of the most storied and significant mining sites in North American history. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, it became synonymous with the industrial pursuit of gold, pioneering deep-shaft mining technologies and shaping the economic and cultural landscape of the region for over a
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