billvann,

You are 100% correct in regard to mica being a mineral...except in this case. The mica used for the survival mirror is "super mica" which is a very thin tough plastic used by locksmiths to slide between a door and a jamb to force open a door. Nearly indestructable (see B-Safe Industries, Inc.). Being very thin and tough it worked excellent for the mirror and actually will long out live the mylar spray glued to the surface.

Fox10