Question

Define: (a) ore; (b) mineral; (c) gangue; (d) brine.

Short answer

1. Ore: It is a natural occurrence of rock in which minerals are present with economically significant elements, typically metals, which can be extracted from the deposit.
2. Mineral: It is defined as naturally occurring homogeneous, crystalline inorganic solid, with a well-defined composition. It contains elements.
3. Gangue: It is the part of the ore without any commercial value. Gangue is nothing but sand, rock, and clay.
4. Brine: It is a water solution which contains high-concentration of salt. It is naturally found on earth's surface, crust, and ocean bottoms.

Step-by-step solution

Metallurgy

The properties of metals and their commercial extraction is discussed in detail in a branch of science called metallurgy.

(a) Ore

Ore: The natural occurrence of rock in which minerals with economically significant elements, usually metals, are present and can be extracted from the deposit.

(b) Mineral

Minerals are naturally occurring homogeneous, crystalline inorganic solids with well-defined compositions. It has elements in it.

(c) Gangue

Gangue: This is the ore that has no commercial value. Gangue is made up entirely of sand, rock, and clay. Gangue can be considered as impurity.

(d) Brine 

Brine is a water solution containing a high concentration of salt. It can be found on the earth's surface, crust, and ocean bottoms.