1/03/2024
Critical minerals are a set of specific minerals identified as critical to the economic and national security. Here are some key points about critical minerals and their uses:
What they are: Critical minerals are defined as any non-fuel mineral or mineral material essential to the economic or national security of the U.S. and which has a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.
Applications: Critical minerals are necessary for the manufacture of high technology devices, national defense applications, and green growth-related industries. They are essential to the manufacture of everything from our smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles (EVs), as well as power generation, healthcare, and military technology.
List of Critical Minerals: The U.S. Geological Survey has released a new list of 50 mineral commodities critical to the U.S. economy and national security. The 2022 list of critical minerals includes aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barite, beryllium, bismuth, cerium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, dysprosium, erbium, europium, fluorspar, gadolinium, gallium, germanium, graphite, hafnium, holmium, indium, iridium, lanthanum, lithium, lutetium, magnesium, manganese, neodymium, nickel, niobium, palladium, platinum, praseodymium, rhodium, rubidium, ruthenium, samarium, scandium, tantalum, tellurium, terbium, thulium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium.
Please note that the list of critical minerals is not static but changes over time based on the most recent available data for non-fuel mineral commodities.
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Critical Minerals & Uses
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1. Aluminum (Bauxite) - Aluminum, derived from the ore bauxite, is a highly versatile metal. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Aluminum:
1. Transportation: Aluminum is used in transportation because of its light weight and durability. It's used in automobiles, airplanes, ships, and even bicycles.
2. Packaging: Aluminum's ability to form any shape and its protective qualities have made it the most versatile packaging material in the world.
3. Construction: Aluminum is used in construction materials and structures for its strength and durability.
4. Electrical: Because of its high conductivity and resistance to corrosion, aluminum is used in a wide range of wiring applications.
5. Consumer Goods: Computers, smartphones, appliances, sporting goods, and more are made from aluminum.
Sources of Bauxite (Aluminum Ore):
Bauxite is typically found in topsoil located in various tropical and subtropical regions. The ore is acquired through environmentally responsible strip-mining operations. The major sources of bauxite are Australia, Guinea, and Brazil. In the United States, it is primarily sourced from Arkansas.
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2. Barite - Barite, also known as baryte, is a mineral composed of barium sulfate (BaSO4). It is known for its exceptional weight and is the primary ore of barium. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Barite:
1. Drilling Mud: Barite is used in the drilling fluids that cool drill bits, lubricate the drilling apparatus, and counteract the force of the oil or gas being released from the ground. This is its most significant use.
2. Radiation Shielding: Barite's high density and chemical inertness make it an ideal mineral for use in radiation shielding.
3. Medical Applications: Barite is used in medical imaging applications due to its ability to block X-ray and gamma-ray emissions.
4. Other Uses: Barite is also used in cement and paint manufacturing, and as a filler in rubber production.
Sources of Barite:
Barite is typically found in parts of the world where layers of sedimentary rocks have been eroded away. Some of the largest deposits are found in China, India, and the United States. Specifically, Nevada, Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri have significant deposits in the US.
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3. Bismuth - Bismuth is a brittle, crystalline, white metal with a slight pink tinge. It's the most naturally diamagnetic element and has one of the lowest values of thermal conductivity among metals. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Bismuth:
1. Pharmaceuticals: Bismuth is used in medications, particularly for stomach ailments like indigestion and heartburn. Bismuth subsalicylate is the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol.
2. Cosmetics: Bismuth oxychloride is used in cosmetics due to its pearl-like luster.
3. Metallurgical Additive: Bismuth is used as an additive in casting and galvanizing to improve the quality of the finished product.
4. Low-Melting Alloys: Bismuth is used in fire detection and extinguishing systems due to its low melting point.
Sources of Bismuth:
Bismuth is typically obtained as a by-product in refining lead, copper, tin, silver, and gold ores. The largest producers of bismuth are China, Peru, Mexico, and Bolivia.
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4. Gallium - Gallium is a soft, silvery metal, and elemental gallium is a brittle solid at low temperatures. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Gallium:
1. Semiconductors: Gallium is used in semiconductors due to its excellent electrical properties. Gallium arsenide (GaAs) can produce laser light directly from electricity and is used in solar panels, LEDs, and high-speed electronics.
2. Medical Applications: Gallium nitrate is used to treat hypercalcemia and is used in radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and diagnosis.
3. High-Temperature Thermometers: Due to its high boiling point and low vapor pressure, gallium is ideal for high-temperature thermometers.
4. Alloys: Gallium is used in alloys with other metals to lower their melting points.
Sources of Gallium:
Gallium does not exist in free form in nature, and the few minerals that contain it are too rare and difficult to mine directly. Instead, gallium is typically extracted as a byproduct from the smelting of other metals, notably aluminum and zinc. China is the top producer of gallium, with other significant producers being Germany, Ukraine, and Japan.
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5. Graphite (Natural) - Graphite, a naturally occurring form of crystalline carbon, is a soft, dark gray to black mineral with a metallic luster. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Graphite:
1. Pencils: Graphite's ability to leave a mark on paper makes it ideal for pencil lead.
2. Lubricants: Graphite is used as a dry lubricant in its powdered and colloidal form.
3. Batteries: Graphite is used as the anode in lithium-ion batteries.
4. Steel Making: Graphite is used as a lining material in furnaces and to increase the carbon content of steel.
5. Nuclear Reactors: Graphite can be used as a neutron moderator in nuclear reactors.
Sources of Natural Graphite:
Natural graphite is obtained from mining in locations where geologic conditions have created concentrated graphite. China is the world's leading producer of natural graphite, and other significant producers include Brazil, India, and North Korea.
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6. Hafnium - Hafnium is a shiny, silvery, ductile metal that is corrosion-resistant and chemically similar to zirconium. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Hafnium:
1. Nuclear Reactors: Hafnium is used in control rods for nuclear reactors due to its ability to absorb neutrons. Alloys: Hafnium is used in alloys with iron, titanium, niobium, tantalum, and other metals.
2. Semiconductors: Hafnium-based compounds are used in gate insulators in the 45 nm generation of integrated circuits from Intel, IBM, and others.
Sources of Hafnium:
Hafnium is always found in compounds with zirconium due to their chemical similarity. Significant sources of hafnium include Australia, South Africa, and Brazil. In the United States, it is primarily sourced from Florida and Georgia.
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7. Helium - Helium is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Helium:
1. Coolant: Due to its low boiling point, helium is used as a coolant in applications like MRI scanners and in the Large Hadron Collider.
2. Balloon Filling: Helium is lighter than air, making it ideal for filling balloons and airships.
3. Breathing Mixtures: Helium is used in breathing mixtures for deep-sea diving and to treat respiratory ailments.
4. Leak Detection: Because helium can easily penetrate small openings, it is used in leak detection.
Sources of Helium:
Helium is produced on Earth by the natural radioactive decay of heavy radioactive elements (thorium and uranium). The gas eventually rises to the surface and the atmosphere due to its low density. However, it is usually found trapped with natural gas in concentrations up to 7% by volume. Major sources of helium include natural gas fields in the United States, especially in Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
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8. Indium - Indium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is stable in air and water. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Indium:
1. LCD Screens: Indium tin oxide is used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) due to its excellent conductivity and transparency.
2. Soldering: Indium is used in solders where it can form alloys that have a low melting point.
3. Semiconductors: Indium phosphide, indium antimonide, and indium arsenide are used in semiconductors for a variety of electronic, infrared, and fiber optic applications.
4. Nuclear Reactors: Indium is used in control rods for nuclear reactors due to its good neutron capture cross-section.
Sources of Indium:
Indium is typically found in ores of zinc and is produced mainly from residues generated during zinc ore processing. Indium is a rare metal and is not typically found in high concentrations. China, South Korea, and Canada are the top producers of indium.
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9. Lithium - Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Lithium:
1. Batteries: Lithium's high electrochemical potential makes it useful for battery anodes, and the majority of its production goes towards making lithium-ion batteries.
2. Mental Health: Lithium compounds are used as a psychiatric medication for treating bipolar disorder, helping to stabilize mood and prevent manic episodes.
3. Alloys: Lithium is used in alloys with aluminium and magnesium for lightweight applications in aircraft.
4. Glass and Ceramics: Lithium improves the brightness of glazes and increases the melting point of glass.
Sources of Lithium:
Lithium is typically extracted from two sources: lithium-containing brine pools and mineral ore deposits. The largest producers of lithium are Australia, Chile, and Argentina. In the United States, lithium is primarily sourced from the Clayton Valley in Nevada.
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10. Magnesium - Magnesium is a shiny gray solid which bears a close physical resemblance to the other five elements in the second column (group 2, or alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Magnesium:
1. Alloys: Magnesium is used in super-strong, lightweight materials and alloys. For example, when mixed with aluminum, magnesium can create a metal that's substantially stronger than aluminum alone.
2. Airplanes and Missiles: Many airplane parts and missiles are made of magnesium alloys.
3. Flares and Pyrotechnics: Magnesium burns at a very high temperature and is used in flares, pyrotechnics, and fireworks.
4. Dietary Supplement: As an essential element in both plant and animal life, magnesium is used as a dietary supplement in humans and a feed supplement in livestock.
Sources of Magnesium:
Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and the third most plentiful element dissolved in seawater. Although magnesium is found in over 60 minerals, only dolomite, magnesite, brucite, carnallite, talc, and olivine are of commercial importance. The largest producer of magnesium is China, followed by Russia and North Korea.
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11. Manganese - Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a hard and brittle metal in its pure form. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Manganese:
1. Steel Production: Manganese is essential to iron and steel production due to its sulfur-fixing, deoxidizing, and alloying properties.
2. Aluminum Alloys: Aluminum alloys containing a small amount of manganese are resistant to corrosion.
3. Batteries: Manganese dioxide is used as the cathode material in alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries.
4. Chemicals: Manganese compounds are used in various chemical processes, including the production of fertilizers, bricks, and paint.
Sources of Manganese:
Manganese is mined in countries like South Africa, Australia, China, Brazil, Gabon, Ukraine, India, and Ghana. The two main manganese minerals are pyrolusite (MnO2) and rhodochrosite (MnCO3).
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12. Nickel - Nickel is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Nickel:
1. Stainless Steel: Nickel is used in the production of stainless steel, which accounts for about 65% of the global nickel consumption.
2. Alloys: Nickel is used in many specific and recognizable industrial and consumer products, including stainless steel, alnico magnets, coinage, rechargeable batteries, electric guitar strings, microphone capsules, and special alloys.
3. Plating: Nickel is used for plating and is often used as a base for other metal plating.
4. Batteries: Nickel is used in batteries, including rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrid vehicles.
Sources of Nickel:
Nickel is sourced from ore deposits around the world. The largest producer of nickel is the Philippines, followed by Russia, Canada, and Australia.
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13. Niobium - Niobium is a soft, grey, crystalline, ductile transition metal. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Niobium:
1. Steel Production: Niobium is used as an alloying element in high-grade structural steel due to its strengthening properties.
2. Superconductors: Niobium-tin and niobium-titanium alloys are used as wires for superconducting magnets, which are used in MRI scanners and particle accelerators.
3. Aerospace Industry: Due to its heat resistance, niobium is used in jet engines and rockets.
4. Electronics: Niobium capacitors are used in electronics, including mobile phones, DVD players, and computers.
Sources of Niobium:
Niobium is primarily obtained from the mineral pyrochlore, the main commercial source for niobium. The largest producers of niobium are Brazil and Canada.
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14. Platinum Group Metals - The Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are a group of six precious metals that are clustered together in the periodic table. These include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. Here are some of their uses and sources:
Uses of Platinum Group Metals:
1. Catalysts: PGMs are used as catalysts in various chemical reactions. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are commonly used in automotive catalytic converters.
2. Electronics: PGMs are used in the production of many electronic components due to their excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
3. Jewelry: Platinum and palladium are popular metals for jewelry due to their luster and durability.
4. Medicine: Some PGMs have found uses in medicine, such as in cancer treatments and pacemakers.
Sources of Platinum Group Metals:
The primary sources of PGMs are in South Africa and Russia. They are typically mined from ore deposits. Recycling of catalytic converters is also a significant source of PGMs.
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15. Potash - Potash is a term generally used to describe potassium salts. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Potash:
1. Fertilizers: The majority of potash is used in fertilizers, which provide the potassium necessary for plant growth.
2. Industrial Chemicals: Potash is used in a variety of industrial chemicals where potassium is a necessary component.
3. Soaps and Detergents: Potassium salts of fatty acids are used in making soaps and detergents.
Sources of Potash:
Potash deposits can be found all over the world. The largest deposits are located in Canada, Russia, and Belarus. The mining process involves extracting the potassium salts from underground deposits using either conventional mining methods or solution mining, which involves pumping hot water through the deposit to dissolve the salts and then recovering the solution from the surface.
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16. Rare Earth Elements - Rare Earth Elements Link <--- CLICK
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17. Rhenium - Rhenium is a silvery-white metal with one of the highest melting points of all elements, exceeded by only tungsten and carbon. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Rhenium:
1. Jet Engines: Rhenium is used in the production of high-temperature superalloys, which are used to make jet engine parts.
2. Catalysts: Rhenium is used as a catalyst in the production of high-octane gasoline.
3. Thermocouples: Rhenium is used in thermocouples, which measure temperatures up to 2200oC.
4. Electrical Contacts: Due to its high melting point and wear resistance, rhenium is used in electrical contacts.
Sources of Rhenium:
Rhenium does not occur free in nature or as a compound in any distinct mineral; instead, it is widely distributed in small amounts in other minerals, usually in concentrations averaging about 0.001 parts per million. The commercial source of rhenium is molybdenum concentrates (molybdenite), and it's recovered as a by-product of molybdenum refining. The main producers of rhenium are Chile, the United States, and Poland.
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18. Rubidium - Rubidium is a very soft, whitish-grey solid in the alkali metal group, similar to potassium and caesium1. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Rubidium:
1. Electronics: Rubidium and its compounds have applications in electronics.
2. Specialty Glass: Rubidium is used in the production of specialty glass.
3. Biomedical Research: Rubidium has applications in biomedical research.
4. Pyrotechnics: Rubidium nitrate is sometimes used in fireworks to give them a purple color.
5. Photocells: The metal is used in the manufacture of photocells and in the removal of residual gases from vacuum tubes.
Sources of Rubidium:
Rubidium is not a major constituent of any mineral. Rubidium concentrate is produced as a byproduct of pollucite (cesium) and lepidolite (lithium) mining and is imported from other countries for processing in the United States. Potassium minerals and brines also contain rubidium and are another commercial source.
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19. Scandium - Scandium is a silvery-white metallic d-block element. It has historically been classified as a rare-earth element, together with yttrium and the lanthanides. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Scandium:
1. Aluminum-Scandium Alloys: Scandium is used in aluminum-scandium alloys for aerospace industry components and for sports equipment such as bicycle frames, fishing rods, golf iron shafts, and baseball bats.
2. High-Intensity Lamps: Scandium iodide is used in mercury vapor lamps, which are used to replicate sunlight in studios for the film and television industry.
3. Radioactive Tracers: Scandium is used in radioactive tracers in oil refineries.
Sources of Scandium:
Scandium is not particularly rare but it is rarely concentrated in nature, making it not an easy element to mine. It's often found in residues remaining from extraction of other elements. Scandium can be found in several rare minerals like thortveitite, euxenite, and gadolinite from Scandinavia. It can also be found in certain uranium tailings.
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20. Strontium - Strontium is a soft, silver-yellow, alkaline-earth metal. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Strontium:
1. Pyrotechnics: Strontium salts are used in fireworks and flares because they produce a deep red color when burned.
2. Electronics: Strontium is used in producing ferrite magnets and refining zinc.
3. Medicine: The radioactive isotope, strontium-90, is used in the treatment of cancer.
Sources of Strontium:
Strontium is obtained from two mineral sources: celestite and strontianite. The largest mining areas are China, Spain, and Mexico.
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21. Tantalum - Tantalum is a versatile metal that is used in a variety of applications. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Tantalum:
1. It is used in electronic components, surgical instruments, and chemical processing equipment.
2. Tantalum is also used in the production of electrolytic capacitors and corrosion-resistant chemical equipment.
3. More than half of tantalum's use is for electrolytic capacitors and vacuum furnace parts.
Sources of Tantalum:
Tantalum is found in small quantities in a variety of minerals, including tantalite, columbite, and euxenite. It is typically mined as a by-product of other mining operations.
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22. Tellurium - Tellurium is a brittle, mildly toxic, rare, silver-white metalloid. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Tellurium:
1. Alloys: Tellurium is used in alloys to improve machinability. Alloys of tellurium are used in ceramics and in thermoelectric devices.
2. Semiconductors: Tellurium is used in semiconductors and in the production of electronic devices.
3. Solar Panels: Cadmium telluride is used in solar panels.
Sources of Tellurium:
Tellurium is usually associated with gold, silver, copper, lead, and other types of ores. It is recovered as a byproduct of the refining of these ores, rather than from being mined from tellurium-rich ores. The major producers of tellurium are Canada, Japan, and the United States.
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23. Tin - Tin is a soft, silvery-white metal that is very light and easy to melt. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Tin:
1. Solder: Tin is used in solder due to its low melting point, and is used for joining pipes or electric circuits.
2. Tin Plating: Tin is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion or other chemical action.
3. Alloys: Tin is used in various alloys such as bronze, pewter, and die casting alloy.
4. Glass-making: Tin(II) oxide is used as a float glass to create flat surfaces.
Sources of Tin:
Tin is obtained primarily from the mineral cassiterite, which is made up of about 80% tin. Most tin is found in alluvial deposits, riverbeds, and former riverbeds, as a result of erosion of ore bodies containing the metal. China and Indonesia are currently the world's largest producers of tin.
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24. Titanium - Titanium is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Titanium:
1. Aerospace Industry: Titanium's strength, light weight, and resistance to high temperatures make it ideal for aerospace applications.
2. Medical Devices: Because it's biocompatible, non-toxic and not rejected by the body, titanium is used in a variety of medical applications, including surgical implements and implants.
3. Consumer Goods: Titanium is used in the production of many consumer goods, including jewelry, eyeglasses, watches, and some laptop computers.
4. Construction: Titanium is used in construction of buildings, bridges, and monuments for its resistance to corrosion even in harsh environmental conditions.
Sources of Titanium:
Titanium is extracted from two key ores: ilmenite and rutile. Major sources of titanium include the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway, South Africa, and Ukraine.
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25. Tungsten - Tungsten is a very hard, dense, silvery-white, lustrous metal that is well-known for its robustness and the fact that it has the highest melting point of all the elements. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Tungsten:
1. Alloys: Tungsten is used in high-speed steel, which can contain as much as 18% tungsten. Its hardness and high density make it ideal for military applications, ammunition, shrapnel, and missiles.
2. Electronics: Tungsten is used in electron and television tubes. Parts of electrical elements, like light bulb filaments and vacuum tubes, are made of tungsten.
3. Industrial Applications: Tungsten carbide is immensely hard and is very important to the metal-working, mining, and petroleum industries.
4. Chemical Applications: Tungsten is used in some chemical applications due to its high melting point.
Sources of Tungsten:
Tungsten is not found free in nature. The main ores of tungsten are scheelite and wolframite, from which it is extracted. China is the dominant producer of tungsten; in 2016 it produced over 80 percent of total tungsten mined, and it contained nearly two-thirds of the world's reserves.
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26. Uranium - Uranium is a radioactive chemical element that is an important nuclear fuel. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Uranium:
1. Nuclear Power: Uranium is the most-used fuel by nuclear power plants for nuclear fission.
2. Military Applications: Uranium is used in the production of nuclear weapons.
3. Counterweights: The high density of uranium means that it also finds uses in the keels of yachts and as counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, as well as for radiation shielding.
Sources of Uranium:
Uranium is a common metal found in rocks all over the world. Economically recoverable uranium reserves are located in the western United States, Australia, Canada, Central Asia, Africa, and South America.
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27. Vanadium - Vanadium is a silvery-white soft metal. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Vanadium:
Steel Alloys: Vanadium is alloyed with steel and iron for high-speed tool steel, high-strength low-alloy steel, and wear-resistant cast iron.
Chemical Industry: Vanadium is used as a catalyst in the chemical industry.
Ceramics and Glasses: Vanadium is used in the making of ceramics, glasses, and pigments.
Large-Scale Storage of Electricity: Vanadium redox-flow batteries (VRBs) are used for large-scale storage of electricity.
Sources of Vanadium:
Vanadium is produced in China and Russia from steel smelter slag. Other countries produce it either from magnetite directly, flue dust of heavy oil, or as a byproduct of uranium mining. China, South Africa, and Russia were the leading producers of vanadium in the early 21st century.
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28. Zinc - Zinc is a crucial nutrient that plays many vital roles in your body. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Zinc:
1. Galvanization: Zinc is used to coat iron and steel to extend their life in a process known as galvanization. Alloys: Zinc is used to make alloys like brass, nickel, silver, and aluminum.
2. Batteries: Zinc is an important component in zinc-carbon batteries.
3. Medicine: Zinc is used in lozenges and nasal sprays for treating the common cold.
Sources of Zinc:
Zinc is primarily obtained from the mineral sphalerite (zinc sulfide). Other minerals that contain zinc include smithsonite (zinc carbonate), hemimorphite (zinc silicate), and franklinite. Major zinc mining locations include Australia, Canada, China, Peru, and the US.
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29. Zirconium - Zirconium is a strong, malleable, ductile, lustrous, grayish-white metal. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Zirconium:
1. Nuclear Reactors: Zirconium is widely used in the cladding (outer layer) of fuel rods in nuclear reactors due to its low absorption cross-section for thermal neutrons.
2. Alloys: Zirconium is used in various specialty alloys for its strong resistance to corrosion.
3. Ceramics: Zirconium dioxide (zirconia) is used in the manufacture of ceramics.
Sources of Zirconium:
Zirconium is obtained from the mineral zircon, and can also be found in most igneous rocks and some sedimentary rocks. Australia and South Africa are the largest producers of zircon sand.
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30. Cesium - Cesium, also known as Caesium, is a chemical element with the symbol Cs and atomic number 55. It is a soft, silvery-gold alkali metal with a melting point of 28.5 oC (83.3 oF), which makes it one of only five elemental metals that are liquid at or near room temperature.
Uses of Cesium:
1. Cesium is used in atomic clocks, which are incredibly accurate. In fact, the international definition of the second is based on the vibration frequency of the Cesium-133 atom.
2. It is used in the medical field for various types of scanners and in radiation therapy for certain types of cancer1.
3. Cesium is also used in drilling fluids for the oil industry.
Sources of Cesium:
Cesium is not plentiful, but can be found in minerals such as pollucite (a cesium-rich mineral) and lepidolite. Commercially, most cesium is produced as a byproduct of the production of lithium. The largest deposits of pollucite, which is the primary ore of cesium, are found in Manitoba, Canada.
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31. Chromium - Chromium is a chemical element with the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in group 6. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Chromium:
1. Chromium is used in the production of stainless steel. Stainless steel contains about 18% chromium and is used in kitchen appliances, cutlery, surgical instruments, and industrial equipment.
2. Chromium plating, which involves coating a metal or plastic object with a thin layer of chromium, can provide a shiny finish and a high resistance to corrosion.
3. Chromium compounds are used as pigments in dyes, paints, and inks. They can provide a variety of colors ranging from yellow to deep green.
4. Chromium is also used in the tanning of leather. Chromium salts, particularly chromium(III) sulfate, are used to cross-link the collagen fibers in hides.
Sources of Chromium:
Chromium is primarily obtained from the mineral chromite, which is a chromium-iron oxide. South Africa, Kazakhstan, India, and Turkey have the world's largest reserves of chromite and are the major producers of chromium. Chromium can also be recycled from scrap metal and used stainless steel.
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32. Cobalt - Cobalt is a chemical element with the symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is found in the Earth's crust in chemically combined form. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Cobalt:
1. Cobalt is a key component in the manufacture of batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.
2. It is used in the production of alloys for use in jet engines and gas turbines due to its ability to withstand high temperatures.
3. Cobalt is used in the manufacture of magnetic alloys and in the production of high-speed, high-strength alloys used in tools.
4. Cobalt compounds are used as pigments for ceramics and glass, and in paints and varnishes.
Sources of Cobalt:
Cobalt is primarily obtained as a by-product of nickel and copper mining. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's largest producer of cobalt, accounting for more than half of the global supply. Cobalt can also be found in meteorites.
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33. Fluorspar - Fluorspar, also known as fluorite, is a mineral composed of calcium fluoride (CaFz). Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Fluorspar:
1. Fluorspar is used in the production of hydrofluoric acid, which is used in the manufacture of fluorocarbon chemicals, refrigerants, and fluoride chemicals.
2. It is used in the manufacture of glass, where it lowers the melting temperature and increases fluidity.
3. Fluorspar is used in the production of steel, where it acts as a flux to remove impurities.
4. It is used in the manufacture of ceramics, enamels, and welding rod coatings.
Sources of Fluorspar:
Fluorspar is mined in various locations around the world, with the largest producers being China, Mexico, and South Africa.
It is often found in granite and other igneous rocks where it fills cracks and holes.
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34. Antimony - Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb (from Latin: stibium) and atomic number 51. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Antimony:
1. Antimony is used in the production of flame retardants. It is often used in combination with halogens.
2. It is used in the manufacture of batteries, cable sheathing, and solders.
3. Antimony compounds are used in medicines such as antimony potassium tartrate or tartar emetic.
4. It is used in the production of alloys with lead and other metals.
Sources of Antimony:
Antimony is primarily obtained from the mineral stibnite (antimony sulfide). China is the world's largest producer of antimony, followed by Russia and Tajikistan. Antimony can also be recovered from recycled lead-acid batteries.
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35. Arsenic - Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As and atomic number 33. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Arsenic:
1. Arsenic is used in the production of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides.
2. It is used in the manufacture of alloys. Arsenic is added to other metals to improve their mechanical properties.
3. Arsenic compounds are used in the production of glass as a decolorizing agent.
4. It is used in the production of semiconductors for solid-state devices such as transistors.
Sources of Arsenic:
Arsenic is primarily obtained as a by-product of the processing of other minerals, especially copper and lead. China is the world's largest producer of arsenic, followed by Chile and Morocco. Arsenic can also be found in groundwater in some areas, which can lead to arsenic poisoning if the water is not treated properly.
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36. Germanium - Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Germanium:
1. Germanium is used in the production of semiconductors. It is used in transistors and diodes due to its excellent semiconductor properties.
2. It is used in the manufacture of fiber-optic systems. Germanium oxide is added to the glass to increase the index of refraction, making it ideal for use in wide-angle lenses and optical microscope objectives.
3. Germanium is used in infrared optics for its ability to transmit infrared radiation.
4. It is used in the production of solar panels. Germanium is an important material in photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
Sources of Germanium:
Germanium is primarily obtained from the ores of zinc and copper. China is the world's largest producer of germanium, followed by Russia and Canada. Germanium can also be recovered from certain types of coal.
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37. Beryllium - Beryllium is a chemical element with the symbol Be and atomic number 4. Here are some of its uses and sources:
Uses of Beryllium:
1. Beryllium is used in the manufacture of lightweight structural materials for aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and satellites.
2. It is used as a moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors.
3. Beryllium is used in the production of X-ray windows due to its low atomic number which makes it transparent to X-rays.
4. It is used in the manufacture of telecommunication equipment due to its excellent heat dissipation properties.
Sources of Beryllium:
Beryllium is primarily obtained from the mineral beryl and bertrandite. The United States, particularly Utah, is the world's largest producer of beryllium. Beryllium can also be recycled from scrap generated during the manufacture of beryllium-containing products.
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