MARKETING OF MINERAL PRODUCTS

Mineral means a non-living substance that is formed by natural processes and is found on or under the surface of the ground.

Mineral product means a product that is derived from a mineral or group of minerals

The salt that we add to our food is the mineral halite. Antacid tablets are made from the mineral calcite.

It takes many minerals to make something as simple as a wooden pencil. The “lead” is made from graphite and clay minerals; the brass band is made of copper and zinc, and the paint that colors it contains pigments and fillers made from a variety of minerals. A cell phone is made using dozens of different minerals that are sourced from mines throughout the world.

The cars that we drive, the roads that we travel, the buildings that we live in, and the fertilizers used to produce our food are all made using minerals. A lot of mineral commodities are consumed each year to support the standard of living of citizens

The construction industry is the largest consumer of mineral commodities. Crushed stone is used for foundations, road base, concrete, and drainage. Sand and gravel are used in concrete and foundations. Clays are used to make cement, bricks and tile. Iron ore is used to make reinforcing rods, steel beams, nails and wire. Gypsum is used to make drywall. Dimension stone is used for facing, curbing, flooring, stair treads, and other architectural work. These are just a few of the many uses for these commodities in construction.

In agriculture, phosphate rock and potash are used to make fertilizer. Lime is used as an acid-neutralizing soil treatment. Mineral nutrients are added to animal feed.

The chemical industry uses large amounts of salt, lime and soda ash. Large amounts of metals,clay and mineral fillers/extenders are used in manufacturing.

The following are other examples of mineral products:

1. Antimony: Antimony is a metal that is used along with alloys to create batteries for storing grid power. It is silvery gray and can be found in its pure form in nature, an uncommon characteristic.
2. Barium: Barium is a common element used in x-ray technology, fireworks, rubber and glass making and rat poison. It is a soft, white metallic element and alkaline.
3. Bauxite: Bauxite is a sedimentary rock that is an important ore of aluminum. The aluminum content in it is leeched from the soil above.
4. Beryllium: Beryllium is an alkaline metallic element that is highly toxic. It is known for its sugary sweet taste and some of its common uses are in X-rays and fluorescent lights.
5. Chromite: Chromite is the ore of chromium and is a very hard metal, and diamond is the only thing harder. This hardness is what allows a chrome finish to take a high polish
6. Cobalt: Cobalt is famous for the incredible blue colour it imparts to glass and pigment. It has been found in meteorites and is used in invisible ink. It is a brittle metal and resembles iron.
7. Copper: Copper is a common metal throughout the world. It is used for currency, jewelry, plumbing and to conduct electricity. It is a soft, orange-red metal.
8. Gold: Gold is the most familiar metal to most people. It is used for jewelry, dentistry, electronics and a host of other applications. It is the most malleable metal which increases the way it can be used.
9. Lead: Lead has a bad reputation for its poisoning capabilities, some of which may have been exaggerated by fear. It cannot be absorbed by the skin or breathing, but it is harmful if it touches food or drink. It was at one time used in paint, pencils and eating utensils.
10. Manganese: Manganese with iron impurities can be slightly magnetic. It is essential in the steel making process,and petroglyphs were carved into it in the Southwest.
11. Mica: Mica is the mineral responsible for putting a sparkle on many rocks. This mineral is very flexible, and large sheets of it were used as window glass in the past.
12. Silver: Silver is one of the precious metals. It is used as currency and in jewelry making. It is also used in medicine due to its anti microbial properties.
13. Zinc: Zinc is essential for a healthy life. Zinc deficiency can cause rashes, diarrhea, impaired taste and eye problems. It is used to macular degeneration, diabetes and the common cold. Zinc biological and scientific information.

 

OIL AND NON – OIL PRODUCTS

Oil products are products from the refinery of crude oil. The crude oil is processed and refined into more useful oil products such as petroleum naphtha, gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas.

Raw or unprocessed crude oil is not generally useful in industrial applications, Instead, the hundreds of different hydrocarbon molecules in crude oil are separated in a refinery into components which can be used as fuels, lubricants, and as feed stocks in petrochemical processes that manufacture such products as plastics, detergents, solvents, elastomers and fibers such as nylon and polyesters.

Non oil are products that are not made from crude oil. Such products are food products, plastic products and electronics products.

 

METHODS OF MARKETING MINERAL PRODUCTS

Like other sectors of the mineral products business, the marketing and distribution of mineral products takes place on a vast, global scale. Every day, hundreds of millions of companies and individuals buy these products at wholesale or directly from retail outlets that number in the hundreds of thousands worldwide. The government plays a major role in marketing and distribution of mineral products. They extract these products and make them available to both local and international buyers.