Calcite Mining
Calcite
Description
Calcite is the principal mineral of the rock group known as carbonates. Calcite is a major component in limestone and dolomite.
| Type | Crystal System |
| Mineral | Hexagonal |
| Mineral Classification | Color |
| Carbonate | Colorless or white, but may take on other colors due to impurities |
| Chemical Formula | Luster |
| CaCO3 | Vitreous and also pearly along cleavage surfaces |
| Streak | Fracture |
| White | Conchoidal |
| Mohs Hardness | |
| 3 |
Uses
Calcite is the mineral component of limestone which is used primarily as construction aggregates, and in production of lime and cement. Limestone also is used in a variety of commercial applications including: road construction, riprap and jetty stone, filter stone, railroad ballast, poultry grit, mineral food, sugar processing, flux stone in steel production, glass manufacture, sulfur dioxide removal in power plants, coal mine dusting to prevent explosions, acid water treatment, asphalt fillers and refractory stone.
