Are most minerals salts and if so why?

Question

Are most minerals salts and if so why?

Answer 1

The word 'salts' applies to halide minerals of which there are quite a few but the vast majority of minerals are not salts. This is the case because halogen elements (fluorine, chlorine etc.) are not abundant on Earth whereas elements such as oxygen and silicon are which is why there are so many silicate minerals (formed from silicon dioxide).

Answer 2

yes,most of the minerals are salts because most of them are formed in basic soil.

Answer 3

No, most minerals are not salts, in as much as they they are not the products of an acid-base reaction.  Some minerals are salts, though; such as common salt or halite (sodium chloride) and gypsum (Calcium sulphate).

Some minerals are oxides, such as the iron ores.  Some are sulphides, such as Galena (Lead sulphide), and most rock forming minerals are silicates, with complex lattice mineral structures.  Some are even elements, such as Graphite and Diamond (both carbon) and sulphur.