Question

Explain the following terms used in metallurgy. Gangue

Answer 1

1. Metallurgy

Metallurgy is a part of science and technology that deals with the production of metals from their ores commercially, and the study of properties of compounds and their mixtures. It includes:

1. Selection of a suitable ore
2. Production and refining of metals
3. Investigation of the properties and uses of metals
4. Preparation of a mixture of metals.

2. Gangue

The undesired materials present in the ores are called gangue. The gangue must be removed from the valuable minerals to concentrate the metals present in the ores.

An example is in Copper pyrites $\left({\mathrm{CuFeS}}_2\right)$, the undesired materials are sand, mud, Iron sulphide (FeS), sulphide ores, etc.