Mining, Metals, Minerals, and Fireworks

Did you know that if it wasn’t for mining, you wouldn’t be seeing those bright and beautiful sparklers and fireworks that help light up the US Independence Day holiday?

The American Pyrotechnics Association reported that last year over 461.7 Million lbs. of fireworks were consumed. That supply provided over $400 Million in revenue from displays, while consumer fireworks topped $2.3 billion. That’s a lot of bang for those bucks.

If you are manufacturing or providing fireworks and sparklers, you should know that the the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued mandatory safety regulations for fireworks devices. The CPSC enforces its fireworks regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 U.S.C. §1261. It is a violation of Federal law to import, distribute or sell fireworks that violate CPSC regulations.

What exactly are in those fireworks and sparklers? Lots of minerals. Metals, like aluminum (from bauxite), titanium, and magnesium are used in sparklers and create those bright white sparks. Be careful, though. Those bright white sparks can be quite dangerous. (Take a look at our sister Analyzing Metals blog to learn more about sparkler manufacturing and safety.)

According to the United States Geological Survey, there are specific mineral elements that provide the color, bangs, sparkle, and flashes in fireworks.

Which element gives red fireworks their deep hue? Which ones are used to create smoke effects or glitter effects? We’ll give you a hint. Here are the atomic numbers on the periodic table that are commonly used for firework displays: 13, 22, 26, 29, 38, 40 , and 56 Have you guessed?

Mineral elements, like gold, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, strontium, copper, and barium produce the beautiful gold, red, blue, green and purple colors we see. Take a look at this fireworks infographic to see the Atomic numbers that are used in fireworks, and which metals are used for creating smoke, loud bangs, and glitter effects.

Before those fireworks shoot up into the sky, the minerals must be mined out of the ground. Mining companies utilize portable XRF analyzers when looking for base metals or precious metals, including those used in sparklers and fireworks. Portable analyzers allow you to take assay analyses in real time, and can be used in mine mapping, ore grade control, and the exploration of a wide variety of base metals, precious metals, and rare earth elements. Then, of course, the mined material is processed via continuous online analysis and monitoring of the raw material composition, which is key to improving product quality and integrity. After all, you need the right types of minerals to create those brilliant colors in the sky.

So as you look up into the sky at the explosion of colors, remember that it all starts in the ground (more specifically the earth’s crust).

Happy 4^th of July. Celebrate and be safe.

View the fireworks infographic