Ore
Rock or material from which valuable minerals or metals can be profitably extracted.
Detailed Definition
Ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably. The term distinguishes economically viable material from waste rock or gangue.
Characteristics of ore: - Contains sufficient concentration of valuable minerals - Can be mined and processed at a profit - Economic viability depends on market prices and costs - Grade must exceed economic cutoff
- Run of Mine (ROM): Ore as extracted, before processing
- First Class Ore: High enough grade for direct sale
- Milling Ore: Requires concentration before sale
- Cutoff Grade Ore: Marginally economic material
- Oxide Ore: Weathered, near-surface material
- Sulfide Ore: Unweathered, typically deeper material
- Primary Ore: Original mineral deposit
- Secondary Ore: Enriched through geological processes
Ore vs. Mineral Resource: Not all mineral resources qualify as ore. Material becomes ore only when it can be extracted and processed economically under current conditions.
Related Terms
Mineral Resource
A concentration of minerals with reasonable prospects for economic extraction, classified as inferred, indicated, or measured.
Mineral Reserve
The economically mineable portion of a measured or indicated mineral resource, classified as probable or proven.
Grade
The concentration or proportion of valuable mineral content in ore, expressed as percentage or grams per tonne.
Tailings
The waste material remaining after ore has been processed to extract valuable minerals.
Beneficiation
The process of improving the value of ore by removing waste material and concentrating the valuable minerals.
Stripping Ratio
The ratio of waste rock that must be removed to access ore in an open-pit mine, expressed as tonnes of waste per tonne of ore.