Editing Ore (section)

== Important ore minerals ==
For detailed [[Petrography|petrographic]] descriptions of ore minerals see ''Tables for the Determination of Common Opaque Minerals'' by Spry and Gedlinske (1987).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tables For The Determination of Common Opaque Minerals {{!}} PDF |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/281657856/Tables-for-the-Determination-of-Common-Opaque-Minerals |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref> Below are the major economic ore minerals and their deposits, grouped by primary elements.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Type !! Mineral !! style=width:10em | [[Periodic table|Symbol]]/[[Chemical formula|formula]] !! Uses !! Source(s) !! style=width:15 | Ref
|-
| rowspan="28" | Metal ore minerals || [[Aluminum]] || Al || [[Alloy]]s, conductive materials, lightweight applications || [[Gibbsite]] (Al(OH)<sub>3</sub>) and [[aluminium hydroxide oxide]], which are found in [[laterite]]s. Also [[Bauxite]] and [[Barite]] || <ref name="Wills-2015" /> '
|-
| [[Antimony]] || Sb || Alloys, [[Flame retardant|flame retardation]] || [[Stibnite]] (Sb<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>) || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|-
| [[Beryllium]] || Be || Metal alloys, in the [[nuclear industry]], in [[electronics]] || [[Beryl]] (Be<sub>3</sub>Al<sub>2</sub>Si<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub>), found in granitic [[pegmatites]] || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|-
| [[Bismuth]] || Bi || Alloys, [[pharmeceutical]]s || [[Bismuth#Occurrence and production|Native bismuth]] and [[bismuthinite]] (Bi<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>) with sulphide ores || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|-
| [[Cesium]] || Cs || Photoelectrics, pharmaceuticals || [[Lepidolite]] (K(Li, Al)<sub>3</sub> (Si, Al)<sub>4</sub>O<sub>10</sub> (OH,F)<sub>2</sub>) from [[pegmatite]]s || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|-
| [[Chromium]] || Cr || Alloys, [[electroplating]], colouring agents || [[Chromite]] (FeCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) from [[Chromite#Stratiform deposits|stratiform]] and [[Chromite#Podiform deposits|podiform]] chromitites || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Mosier-2012"/><ref name="Arai-1997">{{Cite journal |last=Arai |first=Shoji |date=1997 |title=Origin of podiform chromitites |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0743954797000159 |journal=Journal of Asian Earth Sciences |language= |volume=15 |issue=2–3 |pages=303–310 |doi=10.1016/S0743-9547(97)00015-9|bibcode=1997JAESc..15..303A }}</ref>
|-
| [[Cobalt]] || Co || Alloys, [[Catalysis|chemical catalyst]]s, [[cemented carbide]] || [[Smaltite]] (CoAs<sub>2</sub>) in veins with [[cobaltite]]; [[silver]], [[nickel]] and [[calcite]]; [[cobaltite]] (CoAsS) in veins with smaltite, silver, nickel and calcite; [[carrollite]] (CuCo<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub>) and [[linnaeite]] (Co<sub>3</sub>S<sub>4</sub>) as constituents of [[copper ore]]; and [[linnaeite]] ||
|-
| [[Copper]] || Cu || Alloys, high conductivity, [[corrosion resistance]] || [[Sulphide mineral]]s, including [[chalcopyrite]] (CuFeS<sub>2</sub>; primary ore mineral) in sulphide deposits, or [[porphyry copper deposit]]s; [[covellite]] (CuS); [[chalcocite]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>S; secondary with other sulphide minerals) with [[native copper]] and [[cuprite]] deposits and [[bornite]] (Cu<sub>5</sub>FeS<sub>4</sub>; secondary with other sulphide minerals)<br>Oxidized minerals, including [[malachite]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>) in the oxidized zone of copper deposits; [[cuprite]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>O; secondary mineral ); and [[azurite]] (Cu<sub>3</sub>(CO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>; secondary) || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Rapp-2009"/><ref name="Lee-2020"/><ref name="Rostoker-1975"/>
|-
| [[Gold]] || Au || Electronics, [[jewellery]], [[dentistry]] || [[Placer deposit]]s, [[quartz]] grains || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Best-2015">{{Citation |last=Best |first=M.E. |title=Mineral Resources |date=2015 |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780444538024002001 |work=Treatise on Geophysics |pages=525–556 |access-date=2023-03-05 |publisher=Elsevier |language=en |doi=10.1016/b978-0-444-53802-4.00200-1 |isbn=978-0-444-53803-1}}</ref><ref name="Jenkin-2014"/><ref>{{cite report|last1=John|first1=D.A.|last2=Vikre|first2=P.G.|last3=du Bray|first3=E.A.|last4=Blakely|first4=R.J.|last5=Fey|first5=D.L.|last6=Rockwell|first6=B.W.|last7=Mauk|first7=J.L.|last8=Anderson|first8=E.D.|last9=Graybeal|first0=F.T.|year=2018|title=Descriptive models for epithermal gold-silver deposits: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010|page=247|publisher=U.S. Geological Survey|doi=10.3133/sir20105070Q|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Galley-2007">{{cite book|last1=Galley|first1=Alan|last2=Hannington|first2=M.D.|last3=Jonasson|first3=Ian|year=2007|chapter=Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288005450|editor-last=Goodfellow|editor-first=W.D.|title=Mineral Deposits of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposit-Types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces, and Exploration Methods|publisher=Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division|number=5|pages=141–162|access-date=2023-02-23}}</ref><ref name="Haldar-2013">{{Citation |last=Haldar |first=S.K. |title=Economic Mineral Deposits and Host Rocks |date=2013 |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780124160057000027 |work=Mineral Exploration |pages=23–39 |access-date=2023-03-05 |publisher=Elsevier |language=en |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-416005-7.00002-7 |isbn=978-0-12-416005-7}}</ref>
|-
| [[Iron]] || Fe || Industry use, [[construction]], [[steel]] || [[Hematite]] (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>; primary source) in [[banded iron formation]]s, [[Vein (geology)|veins]], and [[igneous rock]]; [[magnetite]] (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) in igneous and [[metamorphic rock]]s; [[goethite]] (FeO(OH); secondary to hematite); [[limonite]] (FeO(OH)nH<sub>2</sub>O; secondary to hematite) || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Jenkin-2014"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last=James |first=Harold Lloyd |date=1954-05-01 |title=Sedimentary facies of iron-formation |url=http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/economicgeology/article/49/3/235/16333/Sedimentary-facies-of-ironformation |journal=Economic Geology |language=en |volume=49 |issue=3 |pages=235–293 |doi=10.2113/gsecongeo.49.3.235 |bibcode=1954EcGeo..49..235J |issn=1554-0774}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lead]] || Pb || Alloys, [[pigmentation]], batteries, [[corrosion]] resistance, [[radiation shielding]] || [[Galena]] (PbS) in veins with other sulphide materials and in [[pegmatite]]s; [[cerussite]] (PbCO<sub>3</sub>) in oxidized lead zones along with galena || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Rapp-2009"/><ref name="Leach-2001">{{Cite journal |last1=Leach |first1=David L. |last2=Bradley |first2=Dwight |last3=Lewchuk |first3=Michael T. |last4=Symons |first4=David T. |last5=de Marsily |first5=Ghislain |last6=Brannon |first6=Joyce |date=2001 |title=Mississippi Valley-type lead–zinc deposits through geological time: implications from recent age-dating research |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s001260100208 |journal=Mineralium Deposita |language= |volume=36 |issue=8 |pages=711–740 |doi=10.1007/s001260100208 |bibcode=2001MinDe..36..711L |s2cid=129009301 |issn=0026-4598}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lithium]] || Li || Metal production, batteries, [[ceramic]]s || [[Spodumene]] (LiAlSi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>) in pegmatites || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|-
| [[Manganese]] || Mn || Steel alloys, chemical manufacturing || [[Pyrolusite]] (MnO<sub>2</sub>) in oxidized manganese zones like [[laterite]]s and [[skarn]]s; [[manganite]] (MnO(OH)) and [[braunite]] (3Mn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> MnSiO<sub>3</sub>) with pyrolusite || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Meinert-1992"/><ref name="Persons-1970">{{Cite book |last=Persons |first=Benjamin S. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/840289476 |title=Laterite : Genesis, Location, Use |date=1970 |publisher=Springer US |isbn=978-1-4684-7215-8 |location=Boston, MA |oclc=840289476}}</ref>
|-
| [[Mercury (element)|Mercury]] || Hg || [[Scientific instrument]]s, electrical applications, [[paint]], [[solvent]], pharmeceuticals || [[Cinnabar]] (HgS) in [[Sedimentary rock|sedimentary]] fractures with other sulphide minerals || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Rapp-2009"/>
|-
| [[Molybdenum]] || Mo || Alloys, electronics, industry || [[Molybdenite]] (MoS<sub>2</sub>) in [[Porphyry copper deposit|porphyry deposits]], [[powellite]] (CaMoO<sub>4</sub>) in [[Hydrothermal mineral deposit|hydrothermal deposits]] || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|-
| [[Nickel]] || Ni || Alloys, food and pharmaceutical applications, corrosion resistance || [[Pentlandite]] (Fe,Ni)<sub>9</sub>S<sub>8</sub> with other sulphide minerals; [[garnierite]] (NiMg) with [[chromite]] and in [[laterite]]s; [[niccolite]] (NiAs) in magmatic sulphide deposits || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Naldrett-2011"/>
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| [[Niobium]] || Nb || Alloys, corrosion resistance || [[Pyrochlore]] {{chem2|(Na,Ca)2Nb2O6(OH,F)}} and [[columbite]] ({{chem2|(Fe^{II},Mn^{II})Nb2O6|auto=yes}}) in granitic pegmatites || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
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| [[Platinum]] Group || Pt || Dentistry, jewelry, chemical applications, corrosion resistance, electronics || With [[chromite]] and [[copper]] ore, in [[placer deposit]]s; [[sperrylite]] (PtAs<sub>2</sub>) in sulphide deposits and gold veins || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Barkov |first1=Andrei Y. |title=New Results and Advances in PGE Mineralogy in Ni-Cu-Cr-PGE Ore Systems |last2=Zaccarini |first2=Federica |date=2019 |publisher=MDPI, Basel |language=en |doi=10.3390/books978-3-03921-717-5|isbn=978-3-03921-717-5 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
|-
| [[Rare-earth element]]s || [[Lanthanum|La]], [[Cerium|Ce]], [[Praseodymium|Pr]], [[Neodymium|Nd]], [[Promethium|Pm]], [[Samarium|Sm]], [[Europium|Eu]], [[Gadolinium|Gd]], [[Terbium|Tb]], [[Dysprosium|Dy]], [[Holmium|Ho]], [[Erbium|Er]], [[Thulium|Tm]], [[Ytterbium|Yb]], [[Lutetium|Lu]], [[Scandium|Sc]], [[Yttrium|Y]] || Permanent [[magnet]]s, batteries, glass treatment, [[petroleum industry]], [[micro-electronics]], alloys, nuclear applications, corrosion protection (La and Ce are the most widely applicable) || [[Bastnäsite]] (REECO<sub>3</sub>F; for Ce, La, Pr, Nd) in [[carbonatite]]s; [[monazite]] (REEPO<sub>4</sub>; for La, Ce, Pr, Nd) in [[placer deposit]]s; [[xenotime]] (YPO<sub>4</sub>; for Y) in [[pegmatite]]s; [[eudialyte]] (Na<sub>15</sub>Ca<sub>6</sub>(Fe,Mn)<sub>3</sub>Zr<sub>3</sub>SiO(O,OH,H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>3</sub><br>(Si<sub>3</sub>O<sub>9</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(Si<sub>9</sub>O<sub>27</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(OH,Cl)<sub>2</sub>) in igneous rocks; [[allanite]] ((REE,Ca,Y)<sub>2</sub>(Al,Fe<sup>2+</sup>,Fe<sup>3+</sup>)<sub>3</sub>(SiO4)3(OH)) in [[pegmatite]]s and carbonatites || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Verplanck-2016" />'''<ref name="Mariano-2012" />'''<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chakhmouradian |first1=A. R. |last2=Zaitsev |first2=A. N. |date=2012-10-01 |title=Rare Earth Mineralization in Igneous Rocks: Sources and Processes |url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/elements/article/8/5/347-353/137935 |journal=Elements |language=en |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=347–353 |doi=10.2113/gselements.8.5.347 |bibcode=2012Eleme...8..347C |issn=1811-5209}}</ref><ref name="Haque-2014" />
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| [[Rhenium]] || Re || [[Catalyst]], temperature applications || [[Molybdenite]] (MoS<sub>2</sub>) in porphyry deposits || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Engalychev |first=S. Yu. |date=2019-04-01 |title=New Data on the Mineral Composition of Unique Rhenium (U–Mo–Re) Ores of the Briketno-Zheltukhinskoe Deposit in the Moscow Basin |url=https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X19040019 |journal=Doklady Earth Sciences |language=en |volume=485 |issue=2 |pages=355–357 |doi=10.1134/S1028334X19040019 |bibcode=2019DokES.485..355E |s2cid=195299595 |issn=1531-8354}}</ref>
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| [[Silver]] || Ag || Jewellery, glass, photo-electric applications, batteries || Sulfide deposits; [[Argentite]] (Ag<sub>2</sub>S; secondary to copper, lead and zinc ores) || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Volkov |first1=A. V. |last2=Kolova |first2=E. E. |last3=Savva |first3=N. E. |last4=Sidorov |first4=A. A. |last5=Prokof’ev |first5=V. Yu. |last6=Ali |first6=A. A. |date=2016-09-01 |title=Formation conditions of high-grade gold–silver ore of epithermal Tikhoe deposit, Russian Northeast |url=https://doi.org/10.1134/S107570151605007X |journal=Geology of Ore Deposits |language=en |volume=58 |issue=5 |pages=427–441 |doi=10.1134/S107570151605007X |bibcode=2016GeoOD..58..427V |s2cid=133521801 |issn=1555-6476}}</ref>
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| [[Tin]] || Sn || [[Solder]], [[bronze]], [[Steel and tin cans|cans]], [[pewter]] || [[Cassiterite]] (SnO<sub>2</sub>) in placer and magmatic deposits || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Penhallurick-2008"/>
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| [[Titanium]] || Ti || [[Aerospace]], industrial tubing || [[Ilmenite]] (FeTiO<sub>3</sub>) and [[rutile]] (TiO<sub>2</sub>) economically sourced from placer deposits with [[Rare-earth elements|REEs]] || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Charlier |first1=Bernard |last2=Namur |first2=Olivier |last3=Bolle |first3=Olivier |last4=Latypov |first4=Rais |last5=Duchesne |first5=Jean-Clair |date=2015-02-01 |title=Fe–Ti–V–P ore deposits associated with Proterozoic massif-type anorthosites and related rocks |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012825214002037 |journal=Earth-Science Reviews |language=en |volume=141 |pages=56–81 |doi=10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.11.005 |bibcode=2015ESRv..141...56C |hdl=2268/175234 |issn=0012-8252|hdl-access=free }}</ref>
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| [[Tungsten]] || W || Filaments, electronics, lighting || [[Wolframite]] ((Fe,Mn)WO<sub>4</sub>) and [[scheelite]] (CaWO<sub>4</sub>) in skarns and in porphyry along with sulphide minerals || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yang |first=Xiaosheng |date=2018-08-15 |title=Beneficiation studies of tungsten ores – A review |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0892687518302607 |journal=Minerals Engineering |language=en |volume=125 |pages=111–119 |doi=10.1016/j.mineng.2018.06.001 |bibcode=2018MiEng.125..111Y |s2cid=103605902 |issn=0892-6875}}</ref>
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| [[Uranium]] || U || [[Nuclear fuel]], [[ammunition]], radiation shielding || [[Pitchblende]] (UO<sub>2</sub>) in [[uraninite]] placer deposits; [[carnotite]] (K<sub>2</sub>(UO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(VO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> 3H<sub>2</sub>O) in placer deposits || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dahlkamp |first=Franz J. |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-662-02892-6 |title=Uranium Ore Deposits |year=1993 |location=Berlin |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-662-02892-6|isbn=978-3-642-08095-1 }}</ref>
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| [[Vanadium]] || V || Alloys, catalysts, glass colouring, batteries || [[Patronite]] (VS<sub>4</sub>) with sulphide minerals; [[roscoelite]] (K(V,Al,Mg)<sub>2</sub> AlSi<sub>3</sub>O<sub>10</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>) in epithermal gold deposits || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nejad |first1=Davood Ghoddocy |last2=Khanchi |first2=Ali Reza |last3=Taghizadeh |first3=Majid |date=2018-06-01 |title=Recovery of Vanadium from Magnetite Ore Using Direct Acid Leaching: Optimization of Parameters by Plackett–Burman and Response Surface Methodologies |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-2821-4 |journal=JOM |language=en |volume=70 |issue=6 |pages=1024–1030 |doi=10.1007/s11837-018-2821-4 |bibcode=2018JOM....70f1024N |s2cid=255395648 |issn=1543-1851}}</ref>
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| [[Zinc]] || Zn || Corrosion protection, alloys, various industrial compounds || [[Sphalerite]] ((Zn,Fe)S) with other sulphide minerals in vein deposits; [[smithsonite]] (ZnCO<sub>3</sub>) in oxidized zone of zinc bearing sulphide deposits || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Rapp-2009"/><ref name="Leach-2001" />
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| [[Zirconium]] || Zr || Alloys, nuclear reactors, corrosion resistance || [[Zircon]] (ZrSiO<sub>4</sub>) in igneous rocks and in placers || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Perks |first1=Cameron |last2=Mudd |first2=Gavin |date=2019-04-01 |title=Titanium, zirconium resources and production: A state of the art literature review |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169136818306073 |journal=Ore Geology Reviews |language=en |volume=107 |pages=629–646 |doi=10.1016/j.oregeorev.2019.02.025 |bibcode=2019OGRv..107..629P |s2cid=135218378 |issn=0169-1368}}</ref>
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| rowspan="5" | Non-metal ore minerals || [[Fluorospar]] || CaF<sub>2</sub> || [[Steelmaking]], optical equipment || Hydrothermal veins and pegmatites || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hagni |first1=Richard D. |last2=Shivdasan |first2=Purnima A. |date=2000-04-01 |title=Characterizing megascopic textures in fluorospar ores at Okorusu mine |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-000-0124-y |journal=JOM |language=en |volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=17–19 |doi=10.1007/s11837-000-0124-y |bibcode=2000JOM....52d..17H |s2cid=136505544 |issn=1543-1851}}</ref>
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| [[Graphite]] || C || [[Lubricant]], industrial molds, paint || Pegmatites and metamorphic rocks || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
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| [[Gypsum]] || CaSO<sub>4</sub>2H<sub>2</sub>O || [[Fertilizer]], filler, [[cement]], pharmaceuticals, [[textiles]] || [[Evaporite]]s; [[Volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposit|VMS]] || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Öksüzoğlu |first1=Bilge |last2=Uçurum |first2=Metin |date=2016-04-01 |title=An experimental study on the ultra-fine grinding of gypsum ore in a dry ball mill |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032591015302394 |journal=Powder Technology |language=en |volume=291 |pages=186–192 |doi=10.1016/j.powtec.2015.12.027 |issn=0032-5910}}</ref>
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| [[Diamond]] || C || Cutting, jewelry || [[Kimberlite]]s || <ref name="Wills-2015" /><ref name="Giuliani-2019">{{Cite journal |last1=Giuliani |first1=Andrea |last2=Pearson |first2=D. Graham |date=2019-12-01 |title=Kimberlites: From Deep Earth to Diamond Mines |url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/msa/elements/article/15/6/377/579743/Kimberlites-From-Deep-Earth-to-Diamond-Mines |journal=Elements |language=en |volume=15 |issue=6 |pages=377–380 |doi=10.2138/gselements.15.6.377 |bibcode=2019Eleme..15..377G |s2cid=214424178 |issn=1811-5217}}</ref>
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| [[Feldspar]] || Fsp || Ceramics, glassmaking, glazes || [[Orthoclase]] (KAlSi<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub>) and [[albite]] (NaAlSi<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub>) are ubiquitous throughout [[Earth's crust]] || <ref name="Wills-2015" />
|}