The global push to decarbonize energy systems is reshaping commodity markets, with profound consequences for the trade, processing and strategic importance of a wide range of metals. As nations accelerate the rollout of electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar arrays and battery storage, the demand profile for certain metals is rising sharply. This article explores the […]
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Diopside is a distinctive member of the pyroxene group whose chemical formula can be written as CaMgSi2O6. It occupies an important place in mineralogy, petrology and the gemstone market because of its diverse occurrences, clear links to deep geological processes and a number of emerging industrial and biomedical uses. This article explores what diopside is,
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The following article examines the Yanacocha mining operation in Peru, exploring its location, geological setting, production profile, economic importance and the complex social and environmental issues that have surrounded it for decades. It aims to provide a balanced and informative overview of one of Latin America’s largest and most controversial mining projects, drawing on widely
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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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