Hello scienceartist-ga,
You would think that it would be an easy matter to classify whether
something is a mineral or an ore. In conducting my research I
discovered that there are many definitions for minerals, including:
earth science (geology), legal, U.S. government, economic, and
biological/medical. Since you?re asking about mining information, I?m
assuming that you want to know whether prochlorite is a mineral or ore
by geologic definition. Prochlorite is a mineral and not an ore.
I?ve collected several resources for you on the chemical formula for
prochlorite and descriptions of its characteristics as well as some
images to help you visualize it. The reference from mindat.org - The
Mineral Database contains a list of U.S. and international mines where
prochlorite has been found. I haven?t found any evidence that
prochlorite is mined for itself but is rather usually found in
association with mining for other minerals.
The links below should help you continue your explorations about prochlorite.
Best wishes for your project.
~ czh ~
http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/webrokmn/rocksmin.htm
Rocks and Minerals
Many Definitions of Minerals
http://www.wordreference.com/english/definition.asp?en=mineral
mineral noun
1 any of a class of naturally occurring solid inorganic substances
with a characteristic crystalline form and a homogeneous chemical
composition
2 any inorganic matter
3 any substance obtained by mining, esp. a metal ore
http://www.wordreference.com/english/definition.asp?en=ore
ore
noun any naturally occurring mineral or aggregate of minerals from
which economically important constituents, esp. metals, can be
extracted
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http://68.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CH/CHLORITE.htm
CHLORITE, a group of green micaceous minerals which are hydrous
silicates of aluminium, magnesium and ferrous iron. The name was given
by A. G. ,Werner in 1798, from XXWPITLc, a green stone. Several
species and many rather ill-defined varieties have been described, but
they are difficult to recognize.
The species prochlorite and corundophilite also occur as more or less
distinct six-sided plates. These four better crystallized species are
grouped together by G. Tschermak as orthochlorites, the finely scaly
and indistinctly fibrous forms being grouped by the same author as
leptochlorites.
The chlorites usually occur as alteration products of other minerals,
such as pyroxene, amphibole, biotite, garnet, &c., often occurring as
pseudomorphs after these, or as earthy material filling cavities in
igneous rocks composed of these minerals.
http://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=1016&ld=1
Chlorite Group
http://www.womeninmining.org/rockcyc.htm
About Minerals - The Rock Cycle
***** Chlorites (including prochlorite) are sedimentary rocks.
http://webmineral.com/data/Prochlorite.shtml
General Prochlorite Information
http://www.mindat.org/min-7253.html
mindat.org - The Mineral Database
Prochlorite
***** See web page for following information:
Formula:
System:
Lustre:
Hardness:
Classification of Prochlorite
Physical Properties of Prochlorite
Crystallography of Prochlorite
Optical Data of Prochlorite
Chemical Properties of Prochlorite
Other Names for Prochlorite
Localities:
***** This section lists US and international mines where prochlorite
has been found.
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http://geology.pusan.ac.kr/petro/mineral_images/prochlorite.jpg
Image of prochlorite
http://www.d.umn.edu/geology/pagnucco/Phyllosilicates/chlorite.htm
Image of Prochlorite with Pyrite Crystals and Hornblende Needles, Chester, Vermont
SEARCH STRATEGY
prochlorite
prochlorite mining
definition: ore
definition: mineral |
