Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic elements or compounds that have an ordered internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. For example, quartz is a mineral as is copper. Minerals combine to form rocks like granite, basalt, and sandstone.
Rocks can also be composed of solid organic matter, coal is an example.
These high-quality minerals are typically cut and used in jewelry. Most of the copper mined in Utah comes from Kennecott's Bingham Canyon mine in the Oquirrh Mountains on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. The Bingham Canyon mine is the world's largest open-pit copper mine, measuring 0.5 miles deep and 2.5 miles wide. For perspective, the world's tallest building, the Sears Tower, is 1,454 feet tall and would reach only half way up the side of the pit. The mine has produced 12 million tons of copper since open-pit operations began in 1906.