Common Associated Elements of Ores
Ores are a type of rock that contains minerals or other materials that have economic value. They are an integral part of the process of metal extraction and metal production. Ores commonly have associated elements that can either be beneficial or can cause issues in the extraction and processing of the ore. Depending on the ore, the associated elements can be metals or nonmetals, and can be either beneficial or detrimental to the economic value of the ore.
Metals as associated elements of ores typically occur in trace amounts. They can either be beneficial, by enhancing the ores’ value, or detrimental, by making it more difficult and costly to extract the primary metal within the ore. A common beneficial metal is gold. Gold is often found in the form of tiny particles within copper and silver ores, and can result in a positive economic gain when extracted. Silver is also found in some ores, and while it can be processed along with the primary metal, it usually adds little value to the ore. Other metals, such as iron and zinc, can cause a decrease in the value of an ore by competing with the primary metal for extraction. Nonmetals, such as sulfur and phosphorus, have no economic value on their own, but can greatly decrease the value of an ore by interfering with the extraction process.
One of the most common associated elements of ores is sulfur. Sulfur is a nonmetallic element found naturally in all types of rocks. It is highly reactive and can combine readily with other elements, forming compounds that interfere with the extraction process. When sulfur combines with metals, it forms sulfide compounds that are insoluble in water and difficult to separate. This makes it difficult to extract the primary metal from the ore, and can greatly decrease the economic value of the ore.
Carbon is another common associated element of ores. Carbon is found naturally in all types of rocks, and in coal deposits. It is highly reactive and can combine readily with other elements, forming organic compounds such as hydrocarbons. These compounds can interfere with the extraction process by competing with the primary metal for reactivity, or they can make the ore more difficult to process by forming sludge and other solids.
Other common associated elements of ores include silicon, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. These elements are often found in rocks, and can also form compounds that interfere with the extraction process. Silicon, for example, forms silicate compounds that can force the primary metal out of solution and make it more difficult to extract. Magnesium, calcium, and potassium form various compounds that can cause solids to form, leading to significant increase in processing costs.
In conclusion, many different associated elements are found in ore deposits. These elements can be beneficial or detrimental to the economic value of the ore depending on their reactivity and the type of metal being extracted. In most cases, the associated element will affect the processing of the ore, either positively or negatively, and thus its economic value.