Exploration and mining metallic ores

Geology is part of the Earth sciences dealing with the study of the Earth, flow within the ocean, and the Earth’s atmosphere. The field of geology encompasses the study of composition, physical properties, structure, history of the components of Earth, and the processes of shaping them.

The process of mining metals and/or metallic ores are divided into three main stages – exploration, mining, and processing. After mining metallic ores are completed, then comes the process where we extract metal from ore.

This article will also learn about ores, extraction of metals from metallic ores, and names of important metals and their ores.

Stages of mining

• The process of mining minerals is divided into three main stages – exploration, mining, and processing.
• Exploration is the process of detection and identification of a mineral deposit.
• Mining is the extraction of identified minerals or valuable geological materials from the location. It is an expensive and time-consuming process in which the industry taking part in the process should take care of mine development and production activities. 
• Comminuting combines blasting with crushing and grinding, whereas situ mining combines some aspects of mining and processing without excavation, comminution, and waste disposal steps.
• Mineral processing (or processing) is the process of the separation of valuable minerals from gangue by treating crude ores and mineral products.
• With passing time, technologies involved in mining and extraction have steadily developed.

Metallic ores

• Metallic ores (or ores) are naturally occurring rocks containing a sufficient amount of metal or compounds of metal that can be extracted commercially in a profitable manner. For example, Bauxite is one of the important metallic ores commercially that contains around 50% – 70% of aluminium oxide.
• In simple terms, metallic ores are those natural rocks from which metals are commercially extracted. For example, iron and steel are made from iron ore.
• There are mainly four metallic ores – oxides, sulphides, carbonate ores, and halide ores.

How to extract metal from ore?

• There are a series of processes involved in extracting metals from their ores. Depending upon the type of metallic ore, the reactivity of the metal (or metal compounds), and the nature of impurities present, the stages in the extraction process vary.
• There are typically three basic steps or stages to extract metal from ore. They are –

1. Concentration or enrichment of metallic ores – The elimination of undesirable impurities or gangue from the metallic ores. The sub-processes involved in ore enrichment are Handpicking, hydraulic washing, electromagnetic separation, froth floatation, liquation, and leaching.
2. Extracting a metal from a concentrated ore – The process of extracting the metal from its ore is done by categorising ores based on the reactivity of the metal. 
3. Refining of the impure metal and metal compounds – The removal of pollutants to obtain 99.9% unadulterated metal. The most common refining process is electrolytic refining.

Names of the important metals and their ores

Listed below are some important metallic ores and the metals extracted from them.

Conclusion

By the end of this article, we have learned that the process of mining minerals is divided into three main stages – exploration, mining, and processing. The metallic ores are those natural rocks from which metals are commercially extracted. For example, iron and steel are made from iron ore. There are mainly four metallic ores – oxides, sulphides, carbonate ores, and halide ores. The three basic steps to extract metal from ore are concentrating or enriching metallic ores, extracting a metal from a concentrated ore, and refining the impure metal and metal compounds.