Ore

Description

A naturally occurring mineral or mixture of minerals that is mined as a resource. Ores are processed to extract metals and other valuable constituents. Native, or metallic ores, contain metals in their pure state. Gold, silver, platinum and copper have been found as native ores. Oxide ore is a groups of metallic elements combined with oxygen to form oxide, carbonate or silicate minerals. Metals combined with sulfate anions are called sulfate ores.

Synonyms and Related Terms

mena (Esp.); minerai (Fr.); minrio (Port.); Erz (Deut.); erts (Ned.)