Minerales no metálicos en la Provincia de El Oro valor económico utilidad y beneficios

Abstract

The mining activity is based on the use of metallic and non-metallic minerals present in the rocks through extraction processes in deposits adjacent to the ground surface. The exploitation of non-metallic minerals requires a smaller amount of production investment and in turn generates greater profitability. The purpose of this research is to make known the origin, utility and benefits as well as the economic value of non-metallic minerals found in the Province of El Oro, through a bibliographic review. The southern area of the province is located on the Jubones fault, so there are different types of geological groups; such as the group of Tahuín, Capiro and San Roque that contain mostly feldspar and quartz minerals. Currently the province only has 2 deposits for the extraction of non-metallic minerals, which are the Portovelo-Zaruma mining district, from which quartz is mainly extracted, and the second located in the Marcabelí and Capiro cantons, where feldspars and kaolinites are extracted. Non-metallic minerals are used in various industrial processes, among which the cement and ceramic industries stand out, since they are used to improve the quality of the final product. The extraction of these minerals represents a great economic contribution due to their extraction and commercialization. The annual production of feldspars was estimated to contribute $16 million dollars to the country's GDP.