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Metallurgy | Definitions
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Metallurgy | Definitions
Metallurgy
The extraction of metals from their various ores, the heat treatment of metals and the production of alloys.
Ore
Ore is the name given to the metallic minerals found in nature. An ore is a solid, naturally occurring mineral compound from which at least one metal can be obtained. These ores are mined and then the extraction of the metal occurs.
Open Cast Mining
This method is used to gather ores that are in horizontal layers near the surface. Overburden (trees, plants, soil, animal habitats, etc.) may need to be removed first to get at the ore. If the mineral is in rock form, explosives may be used.
Underground Mining
As underground mining is the most expensive kind of mining, there must be enough ore to make the process worthwhile. The ore is found deep beneath the surface and deep shafts are sunk and a series of tunnels are then dug from the main shaft. The ore is blasted and drilled, usually crushed and then transferred to transport cars which carry the ore to a hoist bucket which carries the ore to the surface. There, the ore is treated and the metal mineral is extracted.
Open Pit Mining
This is used when the ore is in deep wide layers. This is a relatively cheap form of mining as a lot of mechanisation can be used. The ore is blasted and then moved to trucks which take it to the refining plant. This process is similar to quarrying.
Dredging
Dredging occurs in shallow waters in rivers or the sea. The overburden is stripped first and the dredge barge removes the ore which is separated on the ship. The waste product is then returned to the water in an area that has already been dredged. The dredge barge then gives its cargo to a larger carrier ship for transportation to shore.
Ore Concentration
Ore concentration means separating metal-rich ore particles from waste ore particles.
Magnetic Separation
The process of separating a solid mixture by using a magnet is called magnetic separation. This mixture is separated by pouring it over a magnetic drum where the magnetic ore is forced along the drum and separates from the other non-magnetic solids.
Gravity Concentration
Gravity separation relies on the difference in gravitational force exerted on different particles in a fluid medium such as water or air. The heavier or denser particles tend to settle faster or move towards the bottom, while the lighter or less dense particles tend to float or move towards the top.
Flotation Separation
Flotation separation relies on the attachment of properly prepared mineral surfaces to air bubbles in water. Surfaces that are easily wetted by water, such as ordinary ground rock, are not attracted to bubbles and thus sink. The minerals that cling to the bubbles and float to the top are then skimmed off.
Pyrometallurgy
Pyrometallurgy uses heat energy in the separation of ore, e.g. during the smelting process in the blast furnace. It is used where the metal ore occurs as an oxide. When the mixture is heated, molten metal, slag and gases are produced. The gas is left to escape and the slag is removed, leaving the desired molten metal. This is used for iron, zinc, tin and lead.
Thermo Electrometallurgy
Electrodes are placed in a liquid solution containing the concentrated ore and other chemicals. The metal is attracted out of the solution and deposits onto one of the electrodes. This is called electrolysis and it is used for aluminium.
Hydrometallurgy
Hydrometallurgy uses liquid solutions to dissolve ore. Concentrated ore is mixed with chemicals in a liquid solution and chemical reactions separate the metal. This is used for copper, silver, gold and platinum.
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Metallurgy
The extraction of metals from their various ores, the heat treatment of metals and the production of alloys.
Ore
Ore is the name given to the metallic minerals found in nature. An ore is a solid, naturally occurring mineral compound from which at least one metal can be obtained. These ores are mined and then the extraction of the metal occurs.
Open Cast Mining
This method is used to gather ores that are in horizontal layers near the surface. Overburden (trees, plants, soil, animal habitats, etc.) may need to be removed first to get at the ore. If the mineral is in rock form, explosives may be used.
Underground Mining
As underground mining is the most expensive kind of mining, there must be enough ore to make the process worthwhile. The ore is found deep beneath the surface and deep shafts are sunk and a series of tunnels are then dug from the main shaft. The ore is blasted and drilled, usually crushed and then transferred to transport cars which carry the ore to a hoist bucket which carries the ore to the surface. There, the ore is treated and the metal mineral is extracted.
Open Pit Mining
This is used when the ore is in deep wide layers. This is a relatively cheap form of mining as a lot of mechanisation can be used. The ore is blasted and then moved to trucks which take it to the refining plant. This process is similar to quarrying.
Dredging
Dredging occurs in shallow waters in rivers or the sea. The overburden is stripped first and the dredge barge removes the ore which is separated on the ship. The waste product is then returned to the water in an area that has already been dredged. The dredge barge then gives its cargo to a larger carrier ship for transportation to shore.
Ore Concentration
Ore concentration means separating metal-rich ore particles from waste ore particles.
Magnetic Separation
The process of separating a solid mixture by using a magnet is called magnetic separation. This mixture is separated by pouring it over a magnetic drum where the magnetic ore is forced along the drum and separates from the other non-magnetic solids.
Gravity Concentration
Gravity separation relies on the difference in gravitational force exerted on different particles in a fluid medium such as water or air. The heavier or denser particles tend to settle faster or move towards the bottom, while the lighter or less dense particles tend to float or move towards the top.
Flotation Separation
Flotation separation relies on the attachment of properly prepared mineral surfaces to air bubbles in water. Surfaces that are easily wetted by water, such as ordinary ground rock, are not attracted to bubbles and thus sink. The minerals that cling to the bubbles and float to the top are then skimmed off.
Pyrometallurgy
Pyrometallurgy uses heat energy in the separation of ore, e.g. during the smelting process in the blast furnace. It is used where the metal ore occurs as an oxide. When the mixture is heated, molten metal, slag and gases are produced. The gas is left to escape and the slag is removed, leaving the desired molten metal. This is used for iron, zinc, tin and lead.
Thermo Electrometallurgy
Electrodes are placed in a liquid solution containing the concentrated ore and other chemicals. The metal is attracted out of the solution and deposits onto one of the electrodes. This is called electrolysis and it is used for aluminium.
Hydrometallurgy
Hydrometallurgy uses liquid solutions to dissolve ore. Concentrated ore is mixed with chemicals in a liquid solution and chemical reactions separate the metal. This is used for copper, silver, gold and platinum.