Ore — Science definition

A rock or mineral deposit that contains enough of a valuable metal or mineral to be worth mining and extracting.

Where it is taught

In use

All of it began as an ore — a rock deposit rich enough in a valuable mineral to be worth mining.

Mineral & Soil Resources

Questions using ore

Problem 1

An ore is best defined as...
  1. any rock at all, no matter what is in it
  2. a rock or deposit rich enough in a valuable mineral to be worth mining
  3. a type of fertile soil
  4. a renewable energy source
Answer and explanation

a rock or deposit rich enough in a valuable mineral to be worth mining

An ore is a rock or deposit that holds enough of a valuable metal or mineral that it is worth the cost of mining it.

Problem 2

Recycling aluminum uses only about 5% of the energy needed to make it from raw ore. If making new aluminum from ore takes 100 units of energy, how many units are SAVED by recycling the same amount of aluminum instead?
Answer and explanation

95 units

Recycling uses 5% of 100 = 5 units, so it saves 100 - 5 = 95 units of energy.

Problem 3

A mine recovers 3 tonnes of metal from 100 tonnes ore. Find recovered mass fraction. Show the reasoning, not just the conclusion.
Hints

Distinguish a rate from total soil inventory.

Answer and explanation

3/100=0.03, or 3%.

Problem 4

A 2000 kg ore batch has 3% target metal and 75% recovery. Find contained, recovered and unrecovered target metal, then name a separate soil-quality measure.
Answer and explanation

Contained=60 kg; recovered=45 kg; unrecovered target=15 kg. Infiltration, organic matter, pore structure or measured erosion can characterize soil quality separately from mineral yield.

Contained=60 kg; recovered=45 kg; unrecovered target=15 kg.

Infiltration, organic matter, pore structure or measured erosion can characterize soil quality separately from mineral yield.

Response criteria

  • Use the stated measurements or conditions, with correct units.
  • Connect the result to the physical or environmental mechanism or evidence relationship.
  • Identify the assumption, model limit or further evidence requested.

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