MINERALS: MICA

WHY IN NEWS?

Mica mining leading to Child labour in India and Madagascar

 Micas are a group of silicate minerals(Silicon + Oxygen) whose outstanding physical characteristic is that individual mica crystals can easily be split into extremely thin elastic plates

 ORES:

 Mica is common in igneous and metamorphic rock and is occasionally found as small flakes in sedimentary rock. It is particularly prominent in many granites, pegmatites, and schists

USES

• It is one of the important ingredients in makeup and various cosmetics.
• Mica can be made into thin sheets. They are heat tolerant, insulating and dielectric. Because of these properties, they are used in electrical appliances. They are used in control devices, heating devices, neon lights and other lighting equipment.
• Production of lubricants, paints etc.

 GLOBAL PRODUCTION(2022)

Chin, USA and India are major producers of Mica

WORLDWIDE RESERVES

Very large reserves are with India. Moderate reserves with Russia