Industrieminerale

Industrieminerale, also called industrial minerals or non-metallic minerals, are minerals extracted primarily for their physical or chemical properties rather than for metallic content. They underpin a wide range of industrial processes and products, from construction materials to everyday consumer goods. They are distinct from ore minerals, which are mined chiefly for valuable metals.

Common industrieminerale include limestone and dolomite (cement and construction aggregates), gypsum (plaster and drywall), silica sand and quartz (glass, ceramics, and industrial fillers), feldspar and kaolin (ceramics and paper coatings), talc (paint, plastics, and cosmetics), mica (electrical insulation and pigments), barite and bentonite (oilfield drilling fluids, foundry applications), phosphate rock (fertilizers), and halite (salt used in chemical industries).

Extraction occurs mainly in open pits or underground mines, followed by processing such as crushing, grinding, washing, and sometimes flotation or magnetic separation to achieve the required grain size and purity. Some industrieminerale are used in their untreated form; others are refined into powders, concentrates, or specialty products.

Markets for industrieminerale are global and highly specialized, with production concentrated in a few countries depending on resource endowment. The sector faces environmental, social, and regulatory challenges related to land use, water management, dust control, and rehabilitation of mined areas, prompting ongoing improvements in sustainability and lifecycle assessment.