Metal Ore

Metal Ore

An ore is any kind of rock or mineral from which a metal can be

profitably extracted. Metals are rarely found uncombined (as elements)

in nature. They are nearly always present in the forms of compounds,

often where the metal is chemically joined with oxygen. Only the most

unreactive metals, like silver and gold will be found pure. The most

common metals are oxides and sulphides. Ores are rocks from which we

extract metals. Metals are found naturally in rocks called ores. They

are in compounds, chemically bonded to other elements. However, the

unreactive metals are at the bottom of the reactivity series can be

found as the elements themselves. We say they are found native. We can

find copper, silver, gold and platinum as the metals in nature.

What factors do companies consider when deciding whether to extract a

metal from its ore?

There are many different factors that the companies will look for, a

few of them are:

- How much will it cost?

- How to extract the metal?

- How much the metal will be worth etc.

What are the three methods of metal extraction?

Given that most metals are only found locked up in their ores, but how

do you go about getting them out? For a few metals, such as mercury,

heat will do the trick. But for most ores the temperatures needed are

far too high to make this a practical possibility. Another approach is

needed. There are three methods of extracting metals from their ores,

these are:

- Electrolysis

- Heating with carbon monoxide

- Roasting in air

Depending on the reactiveness of the metal, looking at the reactivity

series, you can tell how each metal can be extracted.

What is meant by oxidation and reduction in the context of metal

extraction?

You can use oxidation and reduction to describe chemical reactions

that combine with oxygen or you can use it to describe the electron

transfer. At this stage, you probably just need to concentrate on the