Definition and role of rocks and ores
The materials that make up the earth's crust (lithosphere) are called rocks. Rock is a mineral aggregate composed of one or more minerals under various geological processes. The rock mainly composed of single mineral is called single ore rock. For example, limestone is composed of more than 90% CaCO3, and the rock composed of more than two kinds of minerals is called multi ore rock. For example, granite is composed of feldspar, quartz and mica. The rocks can be divided into three categories according to their genesis: magmatic rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.
The so-called ore is the rock from which metals and other compounds can be extracted by industrial methods under the current technical conditions. It must be pointed out that the definition of ore is relative, which depends not only on modern technical conditions, but also on the specific resources of a country and the needs of the national economy.
The ore containing a useful mineral or metal is called a single ore, such as copper ore containing only one useful copper mineral. The ores containing two or more useful minerals and living metals are called composite ores, such as lead zinc ores and copper cobalt nickel ores.
Use of useful minerals:
Useful minerals are minerals, ores and rocks that can be used after being processed by a crusher. Useful minerals are used or extracted from useful minerals in every sector of the national economy, while the mechanical industry, electrical industry, shipbuilding, railway transportation, aviation and other industrial sectors are inseparable from various metals. It can be seen that useful minerals are of great significance in the national economy.