Commodity 1Mica
Mica is a group of silicate minerals characterized by their basal cleavage, meaning they can be separated into highly flexible sheets. Micas are also soft and light, with a pearly or glassy texture. There are over 30 different types, but the most common are muscovite (the most abundant, known for transparency and reflectivity), biotite (black, used in roofing and insulation), and phlogopite (brown, sometimes used in detergents and lubricants).
Micas are found in all three rock types — igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary — and are often found in granite and shales. Mica can also be found in gemstones such as lepidolite and amazonite.
Why Buy Mica From Commodity 1
The mica market outlook is generally positive, driven by growing demand across mica-related industries. The global mica market was valued at $467.7 million in 2022 and is expected to reach $554.6 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.9%.
We have direct access to mica mines and often offer the best prices in the market. Mica deposits are abundant in many states of Nigeria, and Commodity 1 supplies these products directly from the mine to the global market, with no intermediaries involved.
Nigerian mica is an untapped market with vast reserves — the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) estimates a potential of 100 million tons, though Nigeria exported merely $1.34 million worth of mica in 2021 according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. Mica from Nigeria is high quality and suitable for cosmetics, electronics, and automobile applications. We can fulfill your need for mica minerals including biotite, muscovite, phlogopite, lepidolite, and K-spar.
Packaging & Delivery
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Dried, bulk, rock |
| Port | Lagos Apapa Port, Nigeria |
| Bags | 50 kg |
| Container | 20 ft |
| Quantity | 25–125 MT per month |
| Lead time | 30 days |
Chemical Composition
The general formula for mica group minerals is XY₂₋₃Z₄O₁₀(OH, F)₂, where X can be K, Na, Ba, Ca, Cs, (H₃O), or (NH₄); Y includes Al, Mg, Fe²⁺, Li, Cr, Mn, V, and Zn; and Z comprises Si, Al, Fe³⁺, Be, and Ti. All micas contain silica, aluminum oxide, and potassium oxide, with some containing iron oxide and magnesium oxide.
| Mica Mineral | SiO₂ | Al₂O₃ | K₂O | Fe₂O₃ | MgO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscovite | 45.57 | 33.1 | 9.87 | 0 | 0 |
| Biotite | 47.7 | 30.9 | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| Phlogopite | 47.5 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
Physical Properties
| Property | Muscovite | Biotite | Phlogopite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 2.5–3 | 2.5–3 | 2.5–3 |
| Specific gravity | 2.76–2.85 | 2.9–3.3 | 2.8–3.1 |
| Cleavage | Perfect basal | Perfect basal | Perfect basal |
| Luster | Pearly or vitreous | Pearly or vitreous | Pearly or vitreous |
| Color | Colorless to white | Black | Brown |
- Splits into thin, elastic sheets due to perfect cleavage
- Heat-resistant and an electrical insulator
- Flexible and elastic in sheet or flake form
- Translucent and optically flat; appears colorless in thin sheets
- Stable when exposed to electricity, light, moisture, and extreme temperatures
Industrial Uses
Mica's high electrical resistivity, thermal insulation, low density, and good mechanical properties suit it to a wide range of applications:
- Electronics — insulator in transformers, capacitors, motors, generators, and printed circuits
- Construction — filler and extender in drywall joint compound; pigment in paint
- Rubber and plastics — insulating material in tires and seals; thickener and reinforcement in plastics
- Drilling muds — additive to improve viscosity and rheology
- Cosmetics — pearlescent pigment for a bright, shiny finish
- Medicinal — used in some adhesives and ointments
- Aerospace — used in rocket engines and missile systems