Question

Define the following terms :

(i) Mineral

(ii) Ore

(iii) Gangue

Answer 1

Minerals:

• A mineral is a naturally occurring chemical substance in the earth's crust which are obtained by mining.

Ores:

• An ore is a combination of minerals and impurities.
• Ore is a mineral from which the metal can be extracted conveniently and economically.
• All minerals are not ores, but all ores are minerals.

Examples: Bauxite (Al₂O₃.2H₂O) is the ore of Aluminium, and copper pyrite (CuFeS₂)_.is an ore of copper.

Gangue:

• Gangue is an unwanted substance or impurity that surrounds the mineral in an ore deposit, such as sand, rock, or some other material.
• Mineral dressing, mineral processing, or ore dressing are terms used to describe the method of separating gangue from mineral.