Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock (majorly made of quartz) formed by metamorphosed sandstone which is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Quartzite is usually white to gray in color although some rock units are stained by impurities to become pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, brown, green, or blue. It’s resistant to chemical weathering and often forms bare ridges and
As we debate about mining in Africa we must address some serious underlying issues related to unethical mining practices and mineral trade. Numerous concerns given by humanitarians about child labor, slave labor and poor safety, health and environment concerns need to be re-looked. Laws and regulations in both mineral extraction and trade need to be enhanced at both national and international levels to ensure full economic potential and sustainability is
Have you ever wondered what makes the earth, well here’s some news for you. The earth is made up of 3 major layers 1. The crust: It’s the thin layer we live on. It has a thickness of 3-5 miles (oceanic crusts) and 25miles (continental crusts). It’s temperature varies from surface temp to 1600°F at the deepest parts. It’s broken into pieces called plates that float on soft mantle below
Graphite is a soft crystalline form/polymorph of carbon (atomic number 6 and symbol is C); It has the same chemical composition as Diamond, which is also pure carbon, but differs on molecular structure. It is gray to black, opaque, has a metallic luster, and a black streak. It has both metallic and non-metallic properties and it’s majorly used in high-temperature lubricants, brushes for electrical motors, friction materials, battery and fuel
Named the “Star of Adam,” the massive stone weighs an astonishing 1,404 carats. The stone is a blue “star” sapphire, so named due to the bright six-pointed star that appears whenever light is reflected on the stone’s surface. It’s estimated to be valued from the $100-$175 million range to as much as $300 million. The stone was found in a Sri Lankan mine, near Ratnapura in the close of 2015
