ORES AND MINERALS

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to ores and minerals from the lecture notes.

Ore

Naturally occurring materials that can be profitably mined; may be a mineral or rock and can be metallic or nonmetallic.

Overall chemical composition

The total chemical makeup of a rock or mineral that helps determine if it can be considered ore.

Percentage extractable resource

The portion of the ore that can be economically extracted relative to the total volume.

Market value

The monetary worth of the resource, influencing whether a material is considered ore.

Hydrothermal fluid circulation

Movement of heated groundwater or seawater that forms mineral veins hosting metals (e.g., gold, silver, copper).

Veins

Mineral-filled fractures formed by hydrothermal processes, often hosting metals.

Metamorphic processes

Geological changes that alter minerals and aid the formation of economically important materials (e.g., graphite, marble, asbestos).

Magmatic processes

Processes around cooled magma bodies where heavy minerals settle, concentrating ore minerals.

Kimberlite magma

Deep-mantle–originating magma that brings diamonds toward the surface; diamonds crystallize at depths >150 km.

Chemical sedimentary processes

Formation of evaporite deposits from the evaporation of saline waters and lake waters (e.g., halite, gypsum, limestone).

Evaporite deposits

Sedimentary rocks formed by the evaporation of water, leaving behind minerals such as halite and gypsum.

Action of currents

Water movement that transports sediments; constant wave action can sift deposits and leave heavier minerals (e.g., gold, zircon, diamonds).

Chemical weathering

Chemical alteration of minerals by oxygen and water, producing new minerals and altered materials (e.g., laterite).

Laterite

Weathered material rich in iron, nickel, and/or aluminum and an important ore in many settings.

Prospecting

The search for ore bodies through exploration and initial assessment.

Drilling

Extracting a sample of ore to determine its quality, grade, and volume.

Modeling

Estimating the ore’s size, shape, and grade distribution to guide mining methods and processing.

Identifying and assessing impacts

Evaluating social and environmental effects of mining and planning mitigation and rehabilitation.

Designing and constructing the mine

Developing the mine design, obtaining permits, and building the mining operation.

Ore extraction

Separation of high-grade ore from the deposit for processing.

Milling

Crushing and concentration of ore; waste materials are produced and managed.

Mine site decommissioning

Closure and rehabilitation of a depleted mine site to restore or repurpose land.

Local ore minerals of the Philippines

Philippines is highly mineralized, with major metallic minerals (gold, copper, nickel, iron, chromite, cobalt, platinum) and nonmetallics (sand, limestone, marble, clay, etc.).