The series of processes for obtaining …

The scientific principles and the physical and chemical processes that are applied to obtain pure metals from their ores are known as metallurgy.
In other words, the process used for the extraction of metals in their pure form from their ores is referred to as metallurgy.

The process of extracting metal ores buried deep underground is called Mining. The metal ores are found in the earth’s crust in varying abundance. The extraction of metals from ores is what allows us to use the minerals in the ground! The ores are very different from the finished metals that we see in buildings and bridges. Ores consist of the desired metal compound and the impurities and earthly substances called Gangue. The extraction of metals and its isolation occurs over a few major steps:

• Concentration of Ore
• Isolation of metal from concentrated Ore
• Purification of the metal

Aluminium:

• Bauxite                                          AlO_x(OH)_3-2x [where 0 < x < 1]
• Kaolinite (a form of clay)          [Al₂ (OH)₄ Si₂O₅]

Iron:

• Haematite                                     Fe₂O₃
• Magnetite                                      Fe₃O₄
• Siderite                                          FeCO₃
• Iron pyrites                                   FeS₂

Copper:

• Copper pyrites                               CuFeS₂
• Malachite                                        CuCO₃.Cu(OH)₂
• Cuprite                                            Cu₂O
• Copper glance                                Cu₂S

Zinc:

• Zinc blend/Sphalerite                   ZnS
• Calamine                                         ZnCO₃
• Zincite                                              ZnO