Metals from Ores: An Introduction

Abstract

A mineral is a naturally occurring substance having a definite chemical composition, constant physical properties, and a characteristic crystalline form. Ores are a mixture of minerals: they are processed to yield an industrial mineral or treated chemically to yield a single or several metals. Ores that are generally processed for only a single metal are those of iron, aluminium, chromium, tin, mercury, manganese, tungsten, and some ores of copper. Gold ores may yield only gold, but silver is a common associate. Nickel ores are always associated with cobalt, while lead and zinc always occur together in ores. All other ores are complex yielding a number of metals.