Question

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

Short answer

(a) Ore is extractable material. (b) Mineral is an inorganic solid. (c) Gangue is worthless material. (d) Brine is a salt solution.

Step-by-step solution

Define 'Ore'

Ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted. Examples include gold ore, iron ore, and copper ore.

Define 'Mineral'

Mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid substance with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure. Common examples include quartz, feldspar, and calcite.

Define 'Gangue'

Gangue refers to the commercially worthless material that surrounds, or is closely mixed with, a wanted mineral in an ore deposit. It is essentially the non-valuable 'waste' rock that must be separated from the ore.

Define 'Brine'

Brine is a high-concentration solution of salt (usually sodium chloride) in water. It can occur naturally in saline solutions or be produced through the evaporation of seawater.

Key concepts

ore

Ore is a type of rock that contains important minerals and metals. These minerals and metals can be extracted and used for profit. For instance, gold, iron, and copper ores can all be processed to retrieve these valuable commodities. The extraction process involves removing the valuable mineral content from the surrounding waste material.
Ore bodies are often found in the Earth's crust and vary greatly in size, composition, and value. The profitability of mining an ore depends on factors like the concentration of the valuable mineral, the ease with which it can be separated from the surrounding material, and the current market price of the extracted material.

mineral

A mineral is a naturally occurring solid substance with a defined chemical composition and crystalline structure. Unlike organic materials, minerals do not come from living organisms. They are formed through geological processes over millions of years.
Some common minerals include:

• Quartz: used in making glass and electronics
• Feldspar: important in ceramics and glassmaking
• Calcite: used in cement and building stones

Minerals are essential components of rocks, and each mineral has unique physical properties like hardness, color, and luster, which help geologists identify them.

gangue

Gangue is the term for the non-valuable rock or material that surrounds or is mixed with the valuable minerals in an ore deposit. It essentially refers to the 'waste' part of the ore.
The presence of gangue is significant in mining because it must be separated from the ore to obtain the valuable minerals. This separation can be costly and affects the overall economic feasibility of the mining operation.
Common examples of gangue materials include quartz, feldspar, and mica. Efficient separation techniques are crucial to minimize the cost and environmental impact of mining activities.

brine

Brine is a solution with a high concentration of salt, most commonly sodium chloride, dissolved in water. It can form naturally, often in saline lakes or seawater evaporation ponds, and can also be artificially produced.
Brine has various applications:

• In food preservation, especially for pickling vegetables and curing meats
• In the extraction of minerals such as lithium, magnesium, and bromine from naturally occurring brine pools
• As a part of various industrial processes, including water softening and de-icing

It's crucial to handle brine properly as its high salinity can have significant environmental impacts such as soil salinization and aquatic damage.