Answer:
Silicon and oxygen
Step-by-step explanation:
All silicate minerals must contain silicon and oxygen even though the name might mislead one into thinking it is only just silicon. Actually the suffix -ate in chemistry is used when an element is combined with oxygen. Which is why the carbonate ion has carbon and oxygen, the nitrate ion has nitrogen and oxygenThis repeats itself in the sulphate ion, phosphate ion, chromate ion, manganate ion etc.