DT Theory Metal Ores and Extraction processes

Ore

Rock containing valuable metals for extraction.

Hematite

Iron ore used to produce steel.

Bauxite

Aluminium ore primarily sourced from Australia.

Finite resource

Non-renewable resource that is depleting.

Mining

Process of extracting ore from the earth.

Surface mining

Excavation method removing earth layers from surface.

Underground mining

Digging tunnels to extract deep-buried ores.

Smelting

Process of extracting metal from ore.

Blast furnace

Used for iron smelting from hematite.

Reduction cell

Used for aluminium smelting from bauxite.

Pig iron

Molten iron produced from blast furnace.

Coke

Fuel with high carbon content for smelting.

Electrolytic process

Electricity-driven method for aluminium extraction.

Cryolite

Molten substance used in aluminium smelting.

Work hardening

Increased hardness from metal deformation.

Annealing

Heat treatment to soften hardened metals.

Hydroelectric power station

Source of inexpensive electricity for smelting.

Continuous product

Cost-effective production maintained over time.

Subsidence

Ground instability caused by old mining.

High temperature

1,700°C required for iron extraction.

Electrodes

Conductors used in electrolytic aluminium process.

Fossil fuels

Energy source used in blast furnace heating.