Metallurgical Mineral Products
Minerals and ores are essential resource materials for many industries and serve as the primary raw materials needed for the production of other products. Metallurgical minerals and ores are mined and refined to produce materials used in building and manufacturing, while other minerals found on the earths surface provide essential nutrients to the environment.
Minerals used in metallurgy vary widely in composition, structure and stability. Some are very soluble in water, while others are not. Some are ductile, while others are not. The most common minerals used in metallurgy are iron ore, copper, nickel, chromium, tin and magnesium. Other metals and minerals may be used in the production of steel, aluminum, brass and other steel alloys.
Metals are extracted from minerals and ores by one of two processes: either by smelting or by leaching. Smelting involves heating the ore and extracting the metal from it using a furnace and other technology. This process is often referred to as burning the metal since heat is applied to the material to separate the metal from its oxides and other compounds. Leaching involves treating the ore with chemical solutions to separate the metal from its oxides and other compounds.
The rate of metal extraction from a metal ore is influenced by its composition and the method used to separate the metal from its oxides and other compounds. The chemical reactivity of the ore and the technology used to separate the metal also affects the rate of metal extraction. For example, substances with high reactivity, such as iron ore, are usually separated through smelting, while substances with low reactivity, such as magnesium, are usually separated through leaching.
The most common metallurgical minerals and ores include hematite, magnetite, bauxite, taconite, cassiterite, and galena. Hematite is an iron ore that contains about 70% iron and is the most commonly mined ore for iron. Magnetite is also an iron ore and contains much higher concentrations of iron (up to 80% Fe). Bauxite is an ore containing aluminum oxides and the main source for aluminum production. Taconite is a type of iron ore that contains high concentrations of carbon, sulfur and phosphorus. Cassiterite is a type of tin ore and is the principal source of tin. Galena is a relatively soft lead sulfide ore and is an important source of lead.
Iron ore is one of the most important ores to be produced, as it is used to manufacture a variety of steel alloys. Iron ore is primarily composed of the element Fe (iron), with small amounts of impurities such as aluminum, phosphorus, sulfur, and titanium. Iron ore can be divided into different types based on their composition and association with other minerals. The two most common types are hematite and magnetite.
In addition to the metallurgical minerals and ores mentioned above, other mineral products sometimes used in metallurgy include chromite, a source for chromium, as well as molybdenite and wurtzite, both of which are sources for molybdenum. Chromite, molybdenite, and wurtzite are all mined from deposits of ore found deep in the earth. These deposits are sought after for their high concentrations of metals and rare earth elements.
Metallurgical mineral products are used in a variety of industries and are essential for the production of products such as steel, aluminum, and other metal alloys. The type of metal ore used and the method of extraction used to separate the metal from its oxides and other compounds can influence the rate and yield of metal extraction. Commonly used metallurgical mineral products include hematite, magnetite, bauxite, taconite, cassiterite, and galena. Other mineral products sometimes used in the production of metal alloys include chromite, molybdenite, and wurtzite.
