Iron Ore Used to manufacture steels of various types. Most U.S. production from Minnesota and Michigan. Australia, Brazil, China and CIS are major producers. Manganese Essential to iron and steel production. Mica Micas commonly occur as flakes, scales or shreds.
Major producers are Canada, Chile and the United States.
Includes platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium. Commonly occur together in nature and are among the scarcest of the metallic elements. Nearly all reserves are in CIS and South Africa. U.S. has one PGM mine. Phosphate rock Used to produce phosphoric acid for ammoniated phosphate fertilizers, feed additives for livestock, elemental phosphorus, and a variety of phosphate chemicals for industrial and home consumers.