safety and health topics beryllium occupational
bertrandite (<1% beryllium) is the principal mineral mined for beryllium in the u.s. while beryl (4% beryllium) is the principal mineral mined for beryllium in the rest of the world. beryllium is used industrially in three forms: as a pure metal, as beryllium oxide, and most commonly, as an alloy with copper, aluminum, magnesium, or nickel.