Difference Between Ferrous and Nonferrous Minerals

Main Difference – Ferrous vs Nonferrous Minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic, solid materials. Minerals can be either metallic or non-metallic depending on the presence of metal elements and metallic properties. Metallic elements can be further divided into two groups as ferrous minerals and nonferrous minerals depending on the presence or absence of iron. The main difference between ferrous and nonferrous minerals is that ferrous minerals are composed of a high percentage of iron whereas nonferrous minerals do not have iron in their chemical composition.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Ferrous Minerals
      – Definition, Properties, and Examples
2. What are Nonferrous Minerals
      – Definition, Properties, and Examples
3. What is the Difference Between Ferrous and Nonferrous Minerals
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Corrosion, Ferric, Ferrous, Ferrous Minerals, Gold, Iron, Minerals, Nonferrous Minerals, Silver

What are Ferrous Minerals

Ferrous minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that contain iron (Fe) as an element in the composition. These minerals have small amounts of other elements. Since iron is present, ferrous minerals show magnetic properties and are less resistant to corrosion. Some minerals may contain a very little percentage of iron whereas other ferrous minerals contain iron as the major constituent.

Figure 01: Magnetite

There are various types of ferrous minerals including, chalcopyrite, magnetite, hematite, and sphalerite. Ferrous minerals can be oxides, sulfides, carbonates, etc. These minerals are composed of more than 15% of iron. These minerals are formed due to geological processes. Ferrous (Fe⁺²) and ferric (Fe⁺³) ions are the most common forms of iron that are present in minerals. Minerals containing ferrous are more soluble in water and tend to convert into ferric ions since ferric ions are more stable. Hence, minerals containing ferric ions less soluble.

What are Nonferrous Minerals

Nonferrous minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that do not contain iron (Fe) as an element in the composition. Hence, these minerals do not show magnetic properties. Most of these minerals are resistant to corrosion to a considerable extent.

Figure 2: Copper

These minerals contain other elements in different proportions and different combinations. They can also occur as pure elemental form; for example, gold, silver, copper, etc. Nonferrous metallic minerals often include metals such as copper, zinc, nickel, platinum, cobalt, etc. These mineral ores are mined to for different production processes to obtain different elements or compounds.

Difference Between Ferrous and Nonferrous Minerals

Definition

Ferrous Minerals: Ferrous minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that contain iron (Fe) as an element in the composition.

Nonferrous Minerals: Nonferrous minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that do not contain iron (Fe) as an element in the composition.

Magnetic Properties

Ferrous Minerals: Ferrous minerals show high magnetic properties.

Nonferrous Minerals: Nonferrous minerals do not show magnetic properties.

Resistance to Corrosion

Ferrous Minerals: Ferrous minerals are less resistant to corrosion.

Nonferrous Minerals: Nonferrous minerals are more resistant to corrosion.

Chemical Composition

Ferrous Minerals: Ferrous minerals are composed of mainly iron as hydroxide, carbonates or sulfides.

Nonferrous Minerals: Nonferrous minerals are composed of various elements and combinations.

Conclusion

Minerals can be classified as ferrous minerals and nonferrous minerals based on the presence or the absence of iron as an element in the chemical composition. The main difference between ferrous minerals and nonferrous minerals is that ferrous minerals are composed of a high percentage of iron in the chemical composition whereas nonferrous minerals do not have iron in their chemical composition.

References:

1. “Non-Ferrous Minerals – Minerals and Energy Resources – Everonn – CBSE Class 10th Course and NCERT Solutions.” GradeStack Courses, Available here.
2. “Ferrous Minerals – Minerals and Energy Resources – Everonn – CBSE Class 10th Course and NCERT Solutions.” GradeStack Courses, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Magnetite-118736” By Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com  (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “NatCopper” By Native_Copper_Macro_Digon3.jpg: “Jonathan Zander (Digon3)”derivative work: Materialscientist (talk) – Native_Copper_Macro_Digon3.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia