Mineral Uses

Coal:  Metallurgical (Coking)  |  Thermal
Copper
Gold
Molybdenum
Silver
Zinc

Uses of Metallurgical (Coking) Coal
Metallurgical coal is a very important resource. It begins its useful life as bituminous coal, high quality, high in carbon, and very black. This material is then heated in large, airless ovens, where nearly all of the coal?s impurities are burned off. Left behind is a foam-like, hard material made nearly entirely carbon, which is called coke.

Coke is used as fuel in blast furnaces. When burned, it provides consistent, clean heat at very high temperatures. These furnaces are used to turn iron ore into metal.

Metallurgical coal is also necessary ingredient in the production of steel. Steel requires carbon, and since coke is nearly 100% carbon, it works nicely.
The impurities that are burned off from the coal during the production of coke are used as well. The gases and vapours are collected to produce refined coal tar, which is used in such things as plastics, explosives, and dyes, as well as chemicals such as ammonia which are used in fertilizers.
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Thermal Coal:
Thermal coal is by far the most common, and cheapest coal. It is used in the production of electricity at thermal power stations. The coal is first crushed or pulverised, and then burnt in large boilers. These boilers create steam, which in turn drive the turbines that create electricity. Also, thermal coal is used as a fuel in the manufacture of cement, bricks and tiles. It is used for heating and processing, and as a raw material in the creation of chemical, industrial and household products. Due to its relative inexpense, thermal coal is also used in the process known as pulverized coal injection (PCI) in steel production. In the process, thermal coal is mixed with coking coal at a ration of about 1:5, and then pulverized down to a powder before being injected into the blast furnace during firing. The use of PCI allows steel to be produced much cheaper. The coal is used much more efficiently, and steel mill are provided with the opportunity to use cheaper thermal coal in the place of some of the more expensive coking coal.
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Uses of Molybdenum:
With the fifth highest melting temperature of any element at 2600 degrees Celcius, molybdenum is a very useful material. It is used in the making of ultra-high strength steels, used in high temperature applications such as gun barrels, the filaments of light bulbs, and in car parts. By itself, molybdenum is used in electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces. Other uses for molybdenum include missiles, aircraft parts, and also as a solid lubricant for space vehicles.
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Uses of Copper:
Copper a unique material. It has the properties of being able to kill bacteria and fungus, resist corrosion, and conduct electricity and heat, while being springy, strong, durable, as well as non-magnetic, non-sparking, and abundant.

Copper is mainly used in modern electronics, as a cheap, quality material to transport electricity. Copper can be found as everything from the contacts used in battery slots, to the wires that carry information, to the circuits on microchips.
Copper is also found in the home as piping, and in the furnishings. Copper alloys with other metals to produce brass, bronze, and pewter, which are then used to make everything from bells to beds. Because copper doesn?t spark, it is used at gas stations and in homes to move natural gas. Copper can also be found in lightning rods, solar power cells, musical instruments, coins, and in hundreds of other places. Copper is attractive, abundant, and useful, as well as energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
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Uses of Zinc:
Zinc is the metal known as the ?great protector?. Zinc has a very unique property, one that seems rather odd but is very useful. It is a sacrificial protector. This means, that if zinc is placed alongside another metal, such as iron, the iron will not rust. Instead, the zinc will begin to corrode and the iron will simply stay strong. Zinc also takes a long time to corrode, giving more life to the metal which it is protecting. This is the reason why car manufacturers can offer 12-year long guarantees that their cars won?t rust. Zinc is the ingredient that makes galvanized steel resistant to rust. Galvanized steel is the material which makes I-beams for buildings and is the basis of most modern tools. These tools and I-beams are able to withstand the harsh environment because of zinc?s unique resistance.

Zinc is also used for die-casting; the process of making a model of an object in one material, taking a mold of that model, and then reproducing it many times over. Zinc has a low melting point, yet is very strong, it is perfect for this job. Many of the toys children play with today are originally shaped as zinc models.

All life on Earth requires zinc to survive, it is one of the essential nutrients. Zinc is in mineral water, in fertilizer for plants, and in dietary supplements. More than 300 enzymes in the human body require zinc, everything from experiencing taste and smell to resisting disease and healing wounds. Because of this zinc is an ingredient in cough drops, sunburn treatments, baby creams, dandruff shampoos, and hundreds of everyday items.
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Uses of Gold:
Gold has many uses because of its permanence. It does not corrode or deteriorate, and it also does not react with oxygen, water or our bodies. Gold is used in everything from powered wheelchairs to cars and computers, even in medicine and dentistry.

Gold is a good conductor, and is very ductile and malleable, able to be drawn out into microscopic wires. These wires are used in electronics around the world, as well as in space. Satellites use gold wiring and also are covered with gold sheets to reflect the Sun?s heat and damaging rays. Gold is used to coat mirrors used in large telescopes and in lasers. Fire fighters wear helmets with protective visors coated with gold, which reflects the light and heat from fire. Historically, gold has been used in coins and jewelry the world over. Its beautiful colour and shine have made gold one of the most sought after, and expensive, materials on Earth.
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Uses of Silver:
Silver has many valuable properties. It is strong, malleable, ductile, and is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Like gold, it reacts weakly with oxygen, meaning that it corrodes much more slowly than most metals. Silver is a very good reflector, able to be polished to produce the most brilliant shine of all of the metals. Furthermore, silver kills bacteria and algae so it is used in many medical applications, in the treatment of burns, and in the purification of water. It is used as a catalyst in the formation of plastics, and is used in batteries, extending their life and decreasing their weight. In jet engines, silver coatings are placed on steel ball bearings, allowing them to carry larger loads and experience much harsher environments. Silver has been used in coins since the year 269 BC, and today can still be found in silver bullion. Because of its beauty, silver is used in many articles of jewelry, cutlery, and Christmas tree ornaments.
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