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| Minerals |
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| Earth's crust is rich in inorganic materials which includes ores, that are used on a large-scale to yield metals such as iron, aluminium, copper, tin, nickel, silver, gold, platinum etc. These minerals are very useful in industrial and technological growth. Some of the metals are used as catalysts, for e.g., vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum.Some of the non-metallic materials (minerals) are vital to industrial growth such as sand, fluxes, clay, salt, sulphur, phosphorus, diamonds, gems, coal and by-products of petroleum (petrol, kerosene, lubricants). |
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| The mineral resources are not renewable. Mineral deposits are formed slowly over millions of years and once used, cannot be regenerated. Coal, petroleum, iron, gold, aluminium, copper are the important natural resources, which have been a great help to mankind. For example, petroleum products also called fossil fuels, are widely used in agriculture, transportation and industry. |
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| In the modern technological world, the minerals are utilised in numerous ways. They are used in the field of medicine and surgery, space technology, agriculture and its allied fields, buildings, transportation and in national defence. In modern multi-storeyed buildings a lot minerals like iron, steel, aluminium, glass, cement, sand, gravel, bricks etc., are used. |
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| Atomic energy is produced by metals such as uranium and thorium. Thus, mineral resources play a significant role in the economy of an nation. |
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