Non-metallic Minerals

Non-metallic mineral refers to the non-metallic properties and non-fuel minerals which can be used after simply processed or directly applied. Non-metallic minerals industry started in the late 1950s, got rapid development since the 1980s, and now has become a relatively complete industry which including the exploration, mining and ore processing. Among the 70 kinds of non-metallic minerals had been proven reserves in China, the content of pyrite, gypsum and barite rank first in the world. The content of asbestos, fluorite, phosphate, talc, mica, graphite, kaolin, magnesite, limestone, bentonite, marble, salt, trona and other resources are all among the highest in the world. Diamond, gem and jade mines in Shandong, Liaoning, Xinjiang and other provinces have been found.

Non-metallic mineral resources in Xinjiang is rich and full range, 84 kinds of it has been found, more than 40 species have been developed and used, among which, muscovite, vermiculite, feldspar, bentonite reserves ranking first in China, magnesite, granite, asbestos gypsum reserves are also very rich.

The amount of non-metallic minerals is also very rich in HuNan which has the reputation of "nonmetallic mineral town" . 30 kinds of it have been proven reserves including limestone, silica, dolomite, fluorite, pyrite, phosphate, boron, halite, Glauber's salt, arsenic ore, barytes, kaolin, graphite, gypsum , talc, silica sand, feldspar, sepiolite, bentonite, diamond, piezo water stone, melting crystals and the like. The content of fluorite, barite, feldspar, sepiolite reserves ranking first in the country, Glauber's salt, arsenic, kaolin reserves ranking second in the country, graphite, diamond and other ranks third in the country.

The content of non-metallic is rich and varieties in species , it can generally be classified:
(1) Metallurgical auxiliary material, such as magnesite, refractory clay, silica, dolomite, fluorite , etc;
(2) Special non-metallic minerals, such as diamond, crystal, Iceland spar, mica, tourmaline, etc;
(3) chemical non-metallic minerals, such as phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, trona, Glauber's salt, ceresin;
(4) Building materials, such as basalt, granite, marble, gypsum;
(5) Ceramic, glass materials, such as kaolin, plastic clay, quartz sand, feldspar;
(6) Other materials, such as vermiculite, pumice, diatomaceous earth, asbestos, graphite, talc and the like. Non-metallic mineral is mined easily and largely. Some mineral’s beneficiation technology is relatively complex, requiring to protect native crystals, such as diamond, mica and asbestos.

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