Cobalt is an element that quietly underpins many modern technologies and ancient practices alike. With a distinctive place on the periodic table and a range of physical and chemical properties that make it both versatile and valuable, cobalt appears in ores, biological systems, industrial alloys, and even medical instruments. This article explores where cobalt is […]
The global market for platinum group metals has long been a niche domain where small shifts in supply or policy can ripple into substantial price movements. Among these metals, rhodium stands out for its extraordinary value and sensitivity to market forces. This article examines the causes behind rhodium price fluctuations and the consequent effects on
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Graphite is a fascinating and versatile mineral that has shaped technologies from the simple household pencil to advanced energy storage systems. With a unique combination of physical and chemical properties, it occupies an essential position in modern industry, research and everyday life. This article explores where graphite occurs in nature, how it is processed and
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Sulfur is a fascinating and ancient mineral with a bright history and modern relevance. Beyond its familiar yellow crystals, sulfur plays a central role in ecosystems, industry and culture. This article explores where sulfur is found, how it is formed and extracted, and the many uses and implications of this versatile sulfur in natural and
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The natural occurrence of native copper in the form of nuggets and masses has fascinated geologists, miners, historians and collectors for centuries. This article explores the geological origins, global distribution, physical properties, applications and cultural significance of copper in its native metallic state. Along the way you will encounter scientific details, practical uses and some
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The hills around Kudremukh have long been synonymous with rich deposits of iron ore and with a contentious chapter in India’s environmental and industrial history. Located in the rugged ranges of the Western Ghats, the mine that once operated at Kudremukh became an important source of raw material for steel producers, a major employer in
Kudremukh Mine – India – Iron ore Read More »
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
How increasing solar adoption boosts silver demand Read More »
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
Kovdor Mine – Russia – Phosphate/Iron Read More »
