5 Must-Have Features in a Non Metallic Mineral Products

Author: Cheryl

Jul. 14, 2025

Chemicals

Non-Metallic Minerals, Examples, Uses, Properties, Distribution Map

Non-Metallic Minerals

Non-metallic minerals are minerals that do not have any metal elements. Since they lack metals, they are usually found in sedimentary rocks and younger folded mountains.

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Read More: Cobalt Ore

Non-Metallic Minerals Examples

Here are some examples of Non Metallic Minerals

  • Rocks and Stones: Limestone, granite, marble, sandstone, basalt, etc.
  • Industrial Minerals: Clay, kaolin, gypsum, silica sand, talc, feldspar, etc.
  • Construction Materials: Cement, sand, gravel, bricks, etc.
  • Fuel Minerals: Coal, oil, natural gas, etc.
  • Gemstones and Precious Minerals: Diamonds, emeralds, quartz, etc.

Read More: Copper Ore

Mica

  • Mica is a non-metallic mineral used in many industries.
  • It is a transparent mineral found in igneous rocks.
  • Mica crystals can be easily split into very thin, flexible sheets.
  • There are two main types of mica: muscovite and biotite.
  • Mica is mainly used for electrical insulation in electronic devices.
  • It is also used as a filler in cement and asphalt and in building foundations.
  • Mica’s shiny, sparkly look makes it popular in toothpaste and cosmetics.
  • India produces over 60% of the world’s sheet mica, leading the global mica trade.
  • Major mica deposits are found in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
  • The largest mica producers after India are China and Finland.

Read More: Minerals

Uses of Mica

  • It is used in wallpapers to provide lustre.
  • It is also used in electrical condensers, insulating sheets between commutator segments, and heating components.

Read More: Types of Resources

World Wide Distribution of Mica

China is the largest producer of mica, followed by Finland. India has the largest mica reserves in the world.

Countries Regions India Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh Brazil Minas Gerais USA Northern Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico Russia Ural, Kola Peninsula, Siberia China Hebei province

Read about: Energy Resources

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral found in igneous rocks. There are two main ores of asbestos

  • chrysotile
  • actinolite.

Asbestos is fireproof, heat resistant, and has low electrical conductivity.

Read More: Types of Rocks

Uses of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in various industries due to its strong fibrous structure, heat resistance, and chemical stability. Some of the common uses of asbestos include:

  • Vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring backing, and adhesives.
  • Panels for roofing and siding.
  • Walls and ceilings with textured paint and patching materials.
  • Asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets should be used to protect the walls and floors surrounding wood-burning stoves.

Read More: Aluminium Ore

World Wide Distribution of Asbestos

Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Brazil are the world’s top asbestos producers.

Countries Regions Russia Urals Canada Thetford mines in Quebec China Gansu province Brazil Sama’s Minaçu mine

Read about: Iron Ore

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The majority of its uses are in construction. Clay and powdered limestone are heated and used to create cement. Limestone is an important ingredient in toothpaste. It’s also used to remove impurities from blast furnaces in steel production. Most limestone in India comes from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The top three limestone producers in the world are China, the United States, and India.

Uses of Limestone

Limestone is widely distributed and is a valuable natural resource that has many uses in various industries, including:

  • Limestone is used as a building material and as an aggregate in the production of concrete, mortar, and cement.
  • It is used to improve soil quality by increasing its pH and reducing the effects of soil acidification.
  • Limestone is used as a flux to remove impurities in the production of iron and steel.
  • Limestone is used as a raw material in the production of various chemicals, including calcium oxide (quicklime), calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), and calcium carbonate.
  • Limestone is also used in the production of glass, paint, paper, and sugar, among other products.

Read More: Manganese Ore

Magnesite​

Magnesite is a mineral composed of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3). Magnesite serves as a refractory material, a catalyst, a filler, and a raw ingredient in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, magnesium compounds, and fertilisers. With lower concentrations in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala, magnesite is primarily found in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan. The top producer is Russia, followed by Slovakia and China.

Uses of Magnesite

Magnesite is a white or greyish mineral that occurs naturally and can also be produced through industrial processes. Some of the common uses of magnesite include:

  • Magnesite is used to make materials that can handle high heat and harsh conditions in furnaces and kilns.
  • It is also a source of magnesium oxide, which is used to make chemicals like fertilizers, abrasives, and building materials. Magnesite helps improve soil quality and reduce acidity. Additionally, it’s used to produce magnesium metal, salts, and hydroxide.

Read about: Chromium Ore

Kyanite

Kyanite is a blue or greenish mineral made of aluminium silicate. It is very heat-resistant, so it is used a lot in making cement, glass, and ceramics. India has the most kyanite deposits in the world, with the best quality found in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Other countries with significant kyanite deposits include Switzerland, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Nepal, and Tanzania.

Uses of Kyanite

Some of the common uses of kyanite include:

  • Kyanite is used in the production of refractory materials.
  • It is used as an abrasive material, due to its hardness and toughness.
  • Kyanite is used as a raw material in the production of ceramics, especially in the production of high-temperature insulation ceramics.
  • Kyanite is also used as a gemstone and as a mineral specimen in the jewellery and ornamental stone industries.

Read More: Physiography of India

Gypsum

Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O). Gypsum is a white, opaque compound made of hydrated calcium sulphate. It is mostly utilised in fertilisers that contain ammonium sulphate and in the cement industry. Additionally, it helps the soil retain moisture and absorb nitrogen in agriculture. In terms of output, Rajasthan is first, followed by Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. Iran and the United States are the next two biggest producers after China.

Uses of Gypsum

Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral that is widely distributed and is one of the most common minerals on Earth. Some of the common uses of gypsum include:

  • Gypsum is used as a building material in the construction of walls, ceilings, and roofs, as well as in the production of plaster, drywall, and joint compounds.
  • It is used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, and fertility, and to reduce soil salinity.
  • It is used in the production of dental and surgical casts and molds.
  • It is used as a raw material in the production of various chemicals, including sulfuric acid and calcium sulfate.
  • It is also used in the production of blackboard chalk, and ceramics, and in the food industry as a firming agent for fruits and vegetables.

Read about: Nuclear Power Plants in India

Salt

Rocks, brine springs (saltwater springs), wells, salt pans in lakes, and seawater are all sources of salt. Less than 1% of the salt produced in India is extracted from rock in the states of Gujarat and Mandi. Approximately 10% of the supply is sourced from Rajasthan’s Sambhar Lake. Sea brine is used to manufacture salt in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. On the Gujarat coast, we manufacture over half of our salt. The United States, India, and China are the top three producers.

Read More: Natural Vegetation in India

Non-Metallic Minerals UPSC

Non-metallic minerals are those that are organic in origin, such as fossil fuels, or non-organic in nature, such as sand, gravel, mica, limestone, clay, and graphite. They do not include any metals. These materials don’t have the same metallic qualities as metals, such as strong electrical and thermal conductivity, lustre, rigour, and malleability, yet they are nonetheless crucial for many industries. Non Metallic Minerals are a crucial component of the Physical Geography and Human Geography sections of the IAS Exam syllabus.

Other Indian Geography Topics

Seasons of India Mountains of India Mangrove Forests in India Important Mountain Passes in India Monsoon in India Indus River System Climate of India Rivers of India Tributaries of Ganga National Parks in India Important Dams in India Wildlife Sanctuaries of India Tiger Reserves in India Northern Plains of India Physiography of India Important Lakes of India Wetlands in India Biodiversity in India Natural Vegetation in India Earthquakes in India Types of Soil in India Ramsar Sites in India Brahmaputra River System Hydropower Plants in India Nuclear Power Plants in India Major Ports in India Biosphere Reserves in India Waterfalls in India

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

Solar System Types of Clouds Structure of the Atmosphere Himalayan Ranges Component of Environment El Nino and La Nina Coral Reef Continental Drift Theory Endogenic and Exogenic Forces
Indian Ocean Region Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean Dipole Air Pollution Environmental Impact Assessment Tropical Cyclone Western Disturbances Types of Rocks

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Non-metallic minerals: Differences and definition - ScienceQuery

Introduction

Minerals are inorganic elements that are naturally occurring. They have a specific internal structure and chemical composition. That is they are are having their own chemical and physical properties. Some examples of minerals are quartz, mica, and calcite. It is broadly classified into two categories, such as metallic minerals and non-metallic minerals. Below is a discussion of non-metallic minerals, differences, and definitions.

Let’s see what minerals are and their importance before discussing non-metallic minerals. Modern machinery is totally dependent on mineral resources. Relying on minerals, man has reached space and at the same time reached the pinnacle of human civilization.

The extraction and use of minerals have been going on since ancient times. Extensive use of these resources dates back to the time of the industrial revolution. The development of industry started around the minerals, that is, the economic development of the country. So minerals are very important and essential.

Minerals are usually extracted from the top and bottom of the earth’s surface. For example, coal, iron ore, copper petroleum, etc. are extracted underground, and salt, limestone, etc. are extracted from the top of the surface. Mainly two types of minerals are extracted from the bottom and the top of the surface. Non-metallic minerals are one of them (1) & (4).

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Non-metallic minerals definition


The Advantages of High Resiliency Foams

A type of mineral that has low densities, does not have any shining surface, and has less conductive power of heat and electricity. Also, does not yield any metals when molten, is known as a Non-metallic mineral (5).

Description non-metallic minerals

1. Features

1. Most of the non-metallic minerals are generally soft except, sulfur and phosphorus. But one non-metallic mineral carbon (in the form of the diamond) is very hard.

2. These minerals cannot conduct heat and electricity.

3. They have low melting points and boiling points except, for diamonds. The melting point of the diamond is however more than °C, which is very high.

4. This type of mineral does not have luster. It means this type of mineral does not have a shining surface.

5. They are neither malleable nor ductile. These types of minerals are brittle. These types of minerals break into pieces when hammered or stretched.

6. Are non-sonorous. They do not produce sound when they are hit by other objects.

7. They are solid, liquid, and gaseous at room temperature.

8. These types of minerals are not strong. They are easily broken.

9. These minerals have many different colors.

10. These types of minerals have low densities, that is these types of minerals are light (1) & (5).

2. Classification

According to use, there are four types of non-metallic minerals in nature. These are

1. Minerals used for fuel purposes

Such non-metallic minerals are coal, mineral oil, natural gas, uranium, etc.

2. Minerals used in architecture

Marble, limestone, granite, gypsum, etc. are these types of non-metallic minerals.

3. Minerals used in the chemical industry

Potash, Sulphur, dolomite, phosphate, etc. are non-metallic minerals used in the chemical industry.

4. other types of minerals

Porcelain, mica, graphite, etc. (2) & (4).

Non-metallic minerals Vs Metallic minerals

Non-metallic minerals

They are naturally composed of a combination of chemical elements that lack most metallic properties. These minerals are mainly composed of carbon. For example, coal is basically composed of naturally occurring carbon (3).

Metallic minerals

Metallic minerals are the only minerals that have one or more metallic substances. They usually have glossy surfaces, conductors of heat and electricity, and can be expanded into thin sheets. When metallic minerals are mined, they are known as ores and ores should be further improved to separate the metals. First, the ore is crushed and then the metallic minerals are separated from the rock (3).

Differences 

A review of the physical and chemical properties of metallic and non-metallic minerals shows that there are some differences between them. These differences are illustrated below.

Content

Non-metallic minerals

Metallic minerals

1. Meaning

Can not generate new compounds when heated and are not metals basically. Metallic minerals are types of minerals that are made up of one or more metals.

2. Hardness

Non-metallic minerals are generally soft. Most of the metallic minerals are hard.

3. Malleability

They are not malleable or flexible. Malleability is an important characteristic of metallic minerals. Most of the metallic minerals are malleable.

4. Heat and electricity

Non-metallic minerals cannot conduct heat and electricity. They are the insulator of heat and electricity. On contrary, they are capable of transporting heat and electricity. Their heat and electricity conductivity is much higher than that of non-metallic minerals.

5. Melting and boiling point

The melting and boiling power of non-metallic minerals are less than that of metallic minerals. Metallic minerals have high melting points and boiling points.

6. Produced sound

They do not produce a metallic sound when they hit. Hitting metallic minerals produces a metallic sound.

7. Ductility

Non-metallic minerals are not ductile. They break into pieces when hammered or stretched. Metallic minerals are ductile.

8. Density

Have low densities, that is non-metallic are light substances. Metallic minerals have a high density and are very heavy.

9. Produced new products

They do not form any new substances or metals during melting.  Metallic minerals form other metals during the melting process.

10. Examples

Salt, coal, clay, mica, etc. Iron ore, copper, manganese, tin, bauxite, etc.

11. Luster

No luster in Non-metallic minerals. They do not have any shining surface. Metallic minerals are luster. They have a shining surface. This shiny appearance makes them useful in making jewelry.

12. Origin

They originate from sedimentary rocks (2) & (5). Originate from igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks.

Similarities

In addition to the above differences, some similarities exist between non-metallic and metallic minerals. These are as follows

  • Both are composed of organic and inorganic elements.
  • The availability of these two types of minerals depends a lot on the rock and the climate.
  • Metallic and non-metallic minerals are formed through long-term processes in nature.

Non-metallic minerals examples

Some examples of non-metallic minerals are

Mica

Mica comes from the Latin word ‘micare’, which means shiny. It is found mainly in sedimentary rock. Sometimes it is also found in igneous and metamorphic rock. Large crystals of mica are used for various purposes and are specially mined from granite and pegmatite.

  • Ore of mica
  1. Muscovite or potash mica
  2. Biotite
  3. Phlogopite
  4. Lepidolite
  5. Paragonite
  • Producer country

Most mica-producing countries use most mica to meet their own needs. India, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Canada, South Korea, the USA, etc. are the exporter countries of mica. Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are the importer countries of mica. The largest mica producer in the world in was china. India produces about 60% of the world’s mica. In India, mica mines are located in Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.

  • Uses
  1. Sound devices like radios, telephones, televisions, etc.
  2. The receiver of the radio.
  3. Mica is used to creating colors. In addition, gulal is made attractive by mixing mica powder with gulal.
  4. Extinguishing the fire as it is non-flammable.
  5. Mica powder is mixed with rubber to make the wheel of the car much stronger.
  6. Electric irons, heaters, etc.

Limestone

The chemical name of limestone is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Pure limestone is rarely found in nature. The hardness of limestone is 3.0 and its relative weight is 2.6 to 2.8. Limestone can be formed in both organic and inorganic processes. Most limestones are rich in high levels of fossils. About 10% of sedimentary rocks are limestone.

In India limestone is produced in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, etc.

Uses

  1. Make lime.
  2. The main component of cement is limestone.
  3. Construction, chemical, and glass industries.
  4. Metal extraction and in the sugar industry.

Magnesite

Magnesite is a non-metallic mineral. It has no melting and boiling point. The word magnesite comes from ‘magnesia’. Its chemical compositions are 47.6% MgO and 52.4% CO₂. Magnesite is found as a coarse-grained lump that looks a lot like cauliflower. It is mainly white in color.

Uses

  • Metallurgical engineering as a thermal insulator.
  • Raw material for making cement.

Gypsum

Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral. Its color is white. Its chemical formula is CaSO₄. 2H₂O. Gypsum is a malleable mineral. These minerals are slowly dissolved in water. Gypsum does not react with acids but dissolves in hydrogen chloride.

Uses

  1. Special types of chalk.
  2. Plastering.
  3. Raw material for making cement.
  4. Agriculture as fertilizer.
  5. Plants receive Sulphur and calcium ions from gypsum (4) & (5).

Non-metallic minerals list

Gypsum, mica, Sulphur, dolomite, fluorspar, barite, calcite, quartz, diamond, sand, graphite, apatite, cryolite, celestite, magnesite, talc, feldspar, corundum, garnet, tripolite, clay, salt, potash, silica, fireclay, jasper, shale, pyrophyllite, ochre, kaolin, diaspore, felsite, chalk, fusch quartzite, slate, etc. are these types of minerals (2).

Q&A

1. What are two ways non-metallic minerals can be used

Two ways of using non-metallic minerals are

  • For the production of industrial cement, ceramics, and glass products.
  • In chemical industries, and as fertilizers like gypsum.

2. What are non-metallic minerals?

They are minerals that release various non-metals during smelting.

3. What are some uses of non-metallic minerals?

  • Construction, chemical, and glass industries.
  • Extinguishing the fire.
  • Agriculture as fertilizers.
  • Sugar industry.

4. What are some examples of non-metallic minerals?

Gypsum, mica, Sulphur, dolomite, fluorspar, barite, calcite, quartz, diamond, sand, graphite, etc. are some examples of these types of minerals.

5. What is the definition of non-metallic minerals?

Minerals that do not release any metals when molten.

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