Minerals

Earth is formed of water, air, soil, sand and minerals. Earth's surface is full of rocks which are different information. They have different formation and colour. There are different types of minerals in the rock. Minerals and humus are found in soil.

Minerals

Mineral is naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic representable by the chemical formula. Hematite, chalcopyrite, cuprite, and argentite are important ore of the minerals. Some of the examples of minerals are diamond, gold, copper, etc. There are two types of minerals:

1. Non-metallic minerals
2. Metallic minerals

Metallic minerals

Metallic minerals have distinctive, shiny, metallic lustre. Metallic minerals such as gold and silver are also economic minerals.

Non-metallic Minerals

Non-metallic minerals have no distinctive, shiny, metallic lustre. These minerals are used to make cement and chemical fertilisers. They are used to construct house, pool, bridge and roads. They are also used as stones in the jewellery.

Characteristics of minerals

1. Every mineral has its own colour. Hematite is red-brown whereas chalcopyrite is of golden green.
2. Minerals are crystalline in form.
3. Minerals are hard.
4. Minerals shine according to its properties.

Uses of minerals

1. Metals can be extracted from minerals.
2. Different chemicals can be made from minerals.
3. House, bridge and road can be made from minerals.
4. Metals are used in making machines, tools, etc.

Some minerals found in Nepal

Minerals are the vital elements for the development of infrastructure. Iron, cement, aluminium and copper are the vitals minerals used in the development. Various minerals are found in Nepal.

Iron: Iron ores are found in Ramechap and Rolpa. Actually, those minerals are extracted from traditional ways. Hematite and magnetite are found in Nepal. Iron is also found in Phulchowki of Lalitpur, those of Ramechap, Labdhi of Tanahun and Jhikhabang of Chitwan.

Copper:Chalcopyrite is the main ore of copper. In past people of the hilly region used to earn money from copper ore. Copper is used in making utensils, temples and idols. The ores of copper are found in Makwanpur, Dhading, Solukhumbu, Udayapur, Tanahun, Bhojpur and Dadeldhura.

Lead: The Lead ore is found in Ganesh Himal, Phulchowki of Lalitpur, Khairabang of Makwanpur and Solukhumbu. Ore of lead is galena. It has been extracted from the Himalayas many years ago.

Zinc: Zinc is extracted from Ganesh Himal, Phulchowki of Lalitpur, Makwanpur and Solukhumbu in Nepal. Zinc is used as an important metal used in electroplating.

Limestone: Lime and cement are the important industrial metal found in Nepal. Main ores of limestone lie in Udayapur, Makwanpur, Chovar, Surkhet, Argakhachi, Dhadhing, Kavre, Dang and Sindhuli.

Graphite: Graphite ore is found in Ilam, Dhankuta, Sindupalchowk and Sankhuwasawa. It is used to manufacture pencil, colours and lubricant.