metal ores
Rocks containing metals
Metal ores are naturally occurring rocks or minerals from which metals can be extracted profitably.
Iron ore yields iron, copper ore yields copper.
The term implies economic viability—a deposit only counts as ore if extraction is worthwhile at current prices and technology.
The mine produced thousands of tons of iron ore annually.
- earth's crustPlanet's outermost solid layer
- steel productionManufacturing iron-carbon alloy
- ironElement twenty-six
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
leaching · nickel · zinc · lead · open pit mine · mining industry · platinum · raw materials · tin · roasting · blast furnace · magnetic separation · hematite · aluminum · magnetite · flotation · gold · silver
- natural resourcescrude oil, lumber, water, gas, air
- US GeologyAppalachians, Rocky Mountains, Rockies, Grand Canyon, San Andreas Fault
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