Soapstone, Formation, Application, Soapstone Reserves in India

About Soapstone:

• It is also known as Steatite.
• It is a metamorphic rock made of talc, a naturally occurring mineral, and is used in construction and design for countertops, sinks, hearths, and sculptures.
• Depending on the quarry from which it is sourced, this natural stone also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles, quartz, magnesite, and carbonates.
• How Does Soapstone Form?
  • Soapstone most often forms at convergent plate boundaries where broad areas of Earth’s crust are subjected to heat and directed pressure. 
  • Peridotites, dunites, and serpentinites in this environment can be metamorphosed into soapstone.
  • On a smaller scale, soapstone can form where siliceous dolostones are altered by hot, chemically active fluids in a process known as metasomatism.
• Properties: It is a relatively soft, very dense, highly heat-resistant material.
• Major producing countries: China, India, Brazil, USA and Finland
• Major reserves in India: According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, the states of Rajasthan (57%) and Uttarakhand (25%) boast substantial reserves of soapstone in India.
• Applications
  • Soapstone in powdered form, often combined with corn starch, is used as baby powder.
  • This mineral is used as a thickening agent and lubricant; is an ingredient in ceramics, paint, and roofing material; and is a main ingredient in many cosmetics.
  • Talc is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.

Q1: What are minerals?

These are naturally occurring homogeneous solid with a definite chemical composition and a highly ordered atomic arrangement; it is usually formed by inorganic processes. 

Source: IE

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