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Understanding Ore and Mineral Types

Ores are rocks that contain economically viable amounts of minerals. They are extracted from the earth and processed to extract valuable elements like metals. Ores form through various geological processes such as cooling magma, metamorphism, sedimentation, and hydrothermal activity. They can be classified based on their composition as oxides, carbonates, sulphides, halides, and other types that contain elements like iron, copper, zinc, and more.

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237 views2 pages

Understanding Ore and Mineral Types

Ores are rocks that contain economically viable amounts of minerals. They are extracted from the earth and processed to extract valuable elements like metals. Ores form through various geological processes such as cooling magma, metamorphism, sedimentation, and hydrothermal activity. They can be classified based on their composition as oxides, carbonates, sulphides, halides, and other types that contain elements like iron, copper, zinc, and more.

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Definition of Ore

Ores are a special type of rock that contains a large enough amount of a particular
mineral from which we can economically extract valuable elements and minerals.
Ores are the source for some of the world's most important geological resources,
including both precious and industrial metals and energy resources like uranium.

If there is a large enough amount present, the rock will be extracted and
processed in a variety of ways to remove the mineral from the surrounding rock.
Once they are extracted and processed, the minerals can be turned into products
desired.

Types of Ore
Ores are classified based on how they form. Some ores form from the cooling and
crystallization of minerals within magmas, lavas, or igneous intrusions. These are
known as magmatic or volcanic ores. Nickel, copper, and iron ores are typically
formed from magmatic or volcanic-related deposits. Carbonate alkaline ores are
formed from different igneous processes other than volcanic activity. Rare earth
element ores and also some diamonds are part of the carbonate alkaline group.
Metamorphic ores often contain lead, zinc, and silver, as well as some iron
oxides. Sedimentary ore deposits include banded iron formations, and gold,
platinum, zinc, tin. Lastly, ores can form as a result of hydrothermal processes.
These processes involve the exposure of rocks and minerals to extremely hot
water, usually near oceanic hydrothermal vents or hot springs. Most of the world's
gold ores, as well as uranium ores, formed from hydrothermal processes.
Ores can also be classified based on their composition.

Types of Element Name of Ores Mineral


Ores A mineral is a naturally
occurring inorganic solid,
Oxides Aluminium Bauxite with a definite chemical
(Al2O3.2H2O) composition, and an
Copper Cuprites (Cu2O) ordered atomic
arrangement.
Iron Hematite (Fe2O3)
Characteristics of a
Tin Casseterite mineral
(SnO2) Minerals are naturally
Carbonate Calcium Limestone occurring
Ores (CACO3) Minerals are inorganic
Minerals are solids
Zinc Calamine (ZnCO3) Minerals have a definite
chemical composition
Iron Siderite (FeCO3) Minerals have an ordered
Sulphide Zinc Zinc blende (ZnS)
Copper Copper glance
(Cu2S)
Lead Galena (PbS)
Mercury Cinnabar (HgS)
Halide Ores Sodium Rock Salt (NaCl)
Fluoride Fluorspar (CaF2)
Silver Horn silver (AgCl)

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