maltval

Maltval is a fictional mineral resource used in speculative geology and science fiction. In most depictions, it forms in high-temperature metamorphic belts and is found in vein networks within basaltic crust. The principal source in these narratives is the Maltval Basin, a geologically active region described as containing extensive Maltval-bearing veins. The term is a constructed toponym; "val" evokes valley, while "Malt-" is a fictional prefix.

In fictional descriptions, Maltval is a dense, metallic material with dark luster. Reported hardness ranges from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It is described as highly conductive and relatively malleable when alloyed. The color is typically dark gray to bluish-black and it may show a metallic streak. Reported densities range from about 8.5 to 9.0 g/cm3.

Extraction is depicted as challenging due to deep, discontinuous vein systems and heat from surrounding rocks. Environmental and geopolitical considerations are common in stories that depict Maltval mining, influencing access, regulation, and control of supply.

Uses in fiction include energy storage concepts, advanced alloys for spacecraft or infrastructure, and sometimes as currency or a symbolic resource. In world-building and teaching contexts, Maltval serves as a case study for mineral description, resource economics, and the ethics of extraction in speculative settings.