Minerals are inorganic substances naturally found on planet Earth, and we as humans are blessed to have a planet where these resources are abundant. According to the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), there are 4660 types of mineral species found on Earth. Doesn’t that sound amazing? So, for informational purposes, here is a list of some common minerals that are found in abundance on our lovely planet:

Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth’s crust, as it covers 8.2% of the Earth’s crust. This is the most common material used in construction, building, transportation, electrical machinery, and packaging. The best form of aluminum is found and imported from Guyana, Guinea, Brazil, and Jamaica.

Copper

If you look around yourself, you will see countless things made up of copper. Copper is, again, a naturally occurring mineral having a definite chemical structure and composition. This mineral also holds a distinct part in history by being the very first element that was discovered by humans. It covers 6.8% of the Earth’s crust and is used widely in the construction of buildings, manufacturing of electronic products such as wires, switches, heating and plumbing, and other transportation activities. Nowadays, copper is also used in several medical equipments as well. This mineral is mainly found in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Peru, China, New Mexico, and Australia.

Gold

Gold is considered one of the most valuable minerals on Earth. This mineral is used in making jewelry, medicines, artwork, and even dentistry. Additionally, this mineral is also used as the standard currency. Thus, the worth of gold cannot be understated. In its natural mineral form, gold has silver, iron, and copper traces. In addition to being a very valuable mineral, gold is one of the heaviest minerals found on our planet. Moreover, gold is a resistant metal as it does not discolor, tarnish, or crumble like other minerals.

Clay

Next on the list comes clay, which is mainly used as an absorbent. You will see many things around you that are made of clay, from pottery to clay huts, to name a few. Produced in 40 states, it is among the minerals with several possible uses. It has various types, such as bentonite, ball clay, pet waste absorbent, kaolin, iron ore, and many others. Most commonly, clay is used in making bricks, ceramics, and cement and in making plastics, rubber, paint, and paper. Clay is also used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetic brands and even some food items.

Carbonates

Carbonates are a group of minerals that are widely used in environments where carbon dioxide is present. This mineral is prevalent in sedimentary environments and acts as a raw mineral in various industries. Its products are used in the paper and steel industry, and in addition to that, the calcium that we get in medicines is a result of such carbonates.

We should be thankful to nature for providing us with such useful minerals to use in a number of different ways. We hope that you found this information to be beneficial. For more interesting information, stay tuned!