Re: Why and how do minerals conduct electricity

John,

Minerals conduct electricity due to properties of metallic bonding.  
Electrons of a metal atom are free floating and can be transferred easily 
within a structure.  This type of electron behavior is called 
delocalization.  Conductivity can be thought of as the tendency of 
electrons to flow through a medium.    

This is only a simple explanation.  For a more in depth description of 
metallic bonding consult any Inorganic Chemistry book, or maybe a General 
Chemistry book.  Good Luck!

JD