Mineral vs. Ore — What's the Difference?

Defined chemical formula: Substance with a specific chemical composition.

Contains minerals: Rock with a high concentration of one or more minerals.

Natural occurrence: Found naturally in the earth's crust.

Source of metal extraction: Primarily mined to extract metals.

Varied applications: Used in a variety of industries and products.

Economically valuable rock: Rock or sediment containing enough minerals to be mined for profit.

Inorganic substance: Naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic.

Natural concentration: Natural accumulation of one or more minerals.

In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.The geological definition of mineral normally excludes compounds that occur only in living beings. However some minerals are often biogenic (such as calcite) or are organic compounds in the sense of chemistry (such as mellite).

Economic feasibility: Must be profitable to mine and process.

A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness.

Ore is natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals, typically containing metals, that can be mined, treated and sold at a profit. Ore is extracted from the earth through mining and treated or refined, often via smelting, to extract the valuable metals or minerals.

An element, such as gold or silver.

A mineral or an aggregate of minerals from which a valuable constituent, especially a metal, can be profitably mined or extracted.

An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum.

A Swedish unit of currency equal to 1/100 of the krona.

A substance, such as stone, sand, salt, or coal, that is extracted or obtained from the ground or water and used in economic activities.

Rock or other material that contains valuable or utilitarian materials; primarily a rock containing metals or gems for which it is typically mined and processed.

A substance that is neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic matter.

Honor; grace; favor; mercy; clemency; happy augury.

An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of humans, animals, and plants.

The native form of a metal, whether free and uncombined, as gold, copper, etc., or combined, as iron, lead, etc. Usually the ores contain the metals combined with oxygen, sulphur, arsenic, etc. (called mineralizers).

An ore.

A native metal or its compound with the rock in which it occurs, after it has been picked over to throw out what is worthless.

Minerals Mineral water.

Metal; as, the liquid ore.

A soft drink.

A metal-bearing mineral valuable enough to be mined

Of or relating to minerals

A monetary subunit in Denmark and Norway and Sweden; 100 ore equal 1 krona

Impregnated with minerals.

(geology) Any naturally occurring inorganic material that has a (more or less) definite chemical composition and characteristic physical properties.

Any inorganic material (as distinguished from animal or vegetable).

(nutrition) Any inorganic element that is essential to nutrition; a dietary mineral.

(British) Mineral water.

A soft drink, particularly a single serve bottle or can.

(obsolete) A mine or mineral deposit.

(obsolete) A poisonous or dangerous substance.

Of, related to, or containing minerals

An inorganic species or substance occurring in nature, having a definite chemical composition and usually a distinct crystalline form. Rocks, except certain glassy igneous forms, are either simple minerals or aggregates of minerals.

A mine.

Anything which is neither animal nor vegetable, as in the most general classification of things into three kingdoms (animal, vegetable, and mineral).

Of or pertaining to minerals; consisting of a mineral or of minerals; as, a mineral substance.

Impregnated with minerals; as, mineral waters.

Solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition

Relating to minerals;

Of or containing or derived from minerals;

Composed of matter other than plant or animal;

Specific crystal structure: Each mineral has a unique crystal structure.

Yes, most rocks are aggregates of several minerals.

Market demand, technological advancements, and extraction costs can change a mineral's classification.

While many ores are mined for metals, some ores are mined for non-metallic minerals.

While certain minerals are more abundant in specific regions, minerals can be found all over the Earth's crust.

No, all ores are minerals, but not all minerals are ores.

The value is determined by the concentration of the mineral, market demand, and the cost of extraction.

A mineral becomes an ore when it can be mined and processed at a profit.

Diamonds are minerals. However, when found in economically viable concentrations, the rock is considered an ore.

Advances in technology can make previously unprofitable mineral concentrations become economically viable ores.

Coal is organic in origin, so it's not classified as a mineral. However, due to its economic value, it's often likened to ores.