Minerals are naturally occurring substances that make up rocks and have distinct internal structures. Over 2000 minerals have been identified, though only a few make up most rocks. The physical and chemical conditions during formation determine a mineral's properties like color, hardness, crystal structure, luster and density. Minerals are classified as metallic, which include ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals, or non-metallic like mica, salt and limestone. Energy minerals used as fuels include coal, petroleum and natural gas.

1. WHAT IS A MINERAL
Geologists define mineral as a
“homogenous ,naturally occurring
substance with a definable internal
structure ”. rocks are combinations of
homogenous substances called
minerals . Minerals are found in
varied forms in nature , ranging from
the hardest diamond to the softest
talc.

2. Over 2000 minerals have been
identified, only a few are abundantly
found in most of the rocks.
A particular minerals that will be
formed from a certain combination of
elements depends upon the physical
and chemical conditions under which
the minerals forms. This results in a
wide spread range of colors , hardness,
crystal forms,lusture and density that a
particular minerals possesses. geologist
use these properties to classify the
minerals

3. Classification of minerals
Minerals are classified as :
1) Metallic minerals which are further
classify as
a) Ferrous metallic minerals are the
minerals containing iron for eg iron ore ,
manganese , nickel , cobalt , etc.
b) non-ferrous metallic minerals like
copper , lead , tin , bauxite , etc.
c) Precious metallic minerals which are
found in a free state like gold , silver ,
platinum , etc.

4. 2) non-metallic minerals for e.g. mica
, salt , potash , sulphur , granite ,
limestone , marble , sandstone , etc.
3) Energy minerals are fuel minerals
like coal , petroleum and natural gas