Minerals and Mineral Resources Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, properties, identification, economic significance, and environmental management of minerals.

Mineral

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an orderly internal crystal structure.

Naturally occurring

Formed by natural processes, not manufactured by humans.

Inorganic

Not produced by living things.

Definite chemical composition

Made of specific elements in fixed or limited proportions.

Crystalline structure

Atoms are arranged in a repeating, orderly pattern.

Color

The visible appearance of a mineral, though often unreliable due to impurities, weathering, or shared traits among different minerals.

Luster

Refers to how light reflects from the surface of a mineral.

Hardness

The resistance of a mineral to scratching.

Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness

A scale ranging from $1$ (Talc) to $10$ (Diamond) used to measure mineral resistance to scratching.

Streak

The color of a mineral in powdered form, observed by rubbing it on an unglazed porcelain streak plate.

Cleavage

The tendency of a mineral to break along smooth, flat, repeated planes due to weaker bonding in certain directions.

Fracture

Occurs when a mineral breaks irregularly instead of along smooth planes, resulting in jagged or uneven surfaces.

Conchoidal Fracture

A smooth, curved break similar to broken glass, commonly seen in Quartz.

Quartz

A mineral with the chemical formula $SiO_2$ made of Silicon ($Si$) and Oxygen ($O$).

Calcite

A mineral with the chemical formula $CaCO_3$ containing Calcium ($Ca$), Carbon ($C$), and Oxygen ($O$); it reacts with acid by fizzing ($CO_2$ bubbles).

Pyrite

A mineral known as 'fool's gold' with the chemical formula $FeS_2$ made of Iron ($Fe$) and Sulfur ($S$).

Halite

Common table salt with the formula $NaCl$, characterized by cubic crystal structure and cleavage.

Density

How heavy a mineral is for its size, determined by the types of atoms and how tightly they are packed.

Nickel

A 'green metal' essential for stainless steel (accounting for $72\%$ of production) and electric-vehicle batteries.

Copper

An excellent conductor of electricity used in wiring, electronics, and renewable-energy systems.

Gold

A highly valuable resource primarily used in jewelry and electronics; the Philippines' reserves were valued at $PhP\,308.79$ billion in 2025.

Chromite

The main ore of Chromium ($FeCr_2O_4$), used to make stainless steel and heat-resistant refractory materials.

Limestone

A non-metallic mineral used for cement, construction, soil treatment in agriculture, and industrial processes like sugar refining.

Exploitation

The use of mineral resources for economic benefit.

Over-extraction

Removing minerals faster than nature and society can sustainably manage.

Misuse

Using mineral resources irresponsibly, causing unnecessary waste or environmental damage.

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)

A process where exposed rocks react with oxygen and water to produce sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$), which dissolves harmful metals into water sources.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A study conducted by scientists before mining begins to evaluate risks to wildlife, water, and communities.

Land Rehabilitation

The process of replacing soil, replanting native trees, and restoring habitats after mining operations have finished.

Reforestation

The planting of trees to reduce erosion, improve biodiversity, and absorb carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).