Materials Science and Chemistry

Mineralogy

The mineralogy of terrestrial planets evolves as a consequence of a range of physical, chemical, and biological processes. The bulk mineralogy of carbonate skeletal sediments at any one instant of time is determined by the skeletal composition and productivity of the organisms present in the depositional environment. Mineralogical characterization requirements are determined as needed for each project by the geology and metallurgical groups in collaboration to quantify the primary ore minerals as well as the gangue and clay minerals.