Useful Notes on Various Types of Ores from which Metals are Extracted

Ores are classified into the following types:

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(i) Native ores:

Silver, gold, platinum etc., are found in native state in the earth’s crust.

(ii) Oxide ores:

An ore in which a metal occurs as an oxide is called an oxide ore.

For example, bauxite (A1₂0₃.2H₂0), hematite (Fe₂0₃), pyrolusite (Mn0₂)

(iii) Sulphide ores:

An ore in which a metal occurs as sulphide is called a sulphide ore. For example, Iron pyrites (FeS), Galena (PbS), Copper pyrites (CuFeS₂), Cinnabar (HgS).

(iv) Carbonate ores:

An ore in which a metal occurs as carbonate or basic carbonate is called a carbonate ore. For example, limestone (CaCO_g), dolomite (CaC0₃, MgC0₃)

(v) Halide ores:

Aluminium occurs as a fluoride, e.g., cryolite (Na₃AlF_g). Sodium and potassium occur as chloride, e.g., carnallite (KC1, MgCl₂.6H₂0), rocks salt (NaCl).

(vi) Sulphate ores:

Barium and lead occur as barites (BaS0₄) and anglesite (PbS0₄) respectively.