The major source of metals on Earth is found within the Earth’s crust and mantle. Most metals are extracted from mineral ores, which are naturally occurring compounds that contain high concentrations of metal elements. Common metal ores include bauxite for aluminum, hematite for iron, and chalcopyrite for copper. Mining and extraction processes, such as smelting and refining, are employed to obtain pure metals from these ores. Additionally, metals can also be found in the Earth’s crust in the form of native metals, such as gold and copper, which occur in their metallic state without requiring extraction from ores.
The major source of metals on Earth is found within the Earth’s crust and mantle. Most metals are extracted from mineral ores, which are naturally occurring compounds that contain high concentrations of metal elements. Common metal ores include bauxite for aluminum, hematite for iron, and chalcopyrite for copper. Mining and extraction processes, such as smelting and refining, are employed to obtain pure metals from these ores. Additionally, metals can also be found in the Earth’s crust in the form of native metals, such as gold and copper, which occur in their metallic state without requiring extraction from ores.