ABSTRACT
Industrial minerals (commonly referred to as non-metallic minerals) are broadly defined as any rock, mineral, or other naturally occurring substance having economic value, exclusive of metallic ores, mineral fuels, water and gemstones. Because of their enormous range of physical and chemical properties, industrial minerals are a primary source of raw materials for a great diversity of industrial applications, essential to every aspect of modern life. Their national and regional availability is a key factor for industrialization, economic progress and development, aspects not always clearly understood by governments and consumers, in general.
