How metals are How metals are recovered from rockrecovered from rock

Metals-3-1

Image: G. Plumlee, USGS

Mining removes metal-Mining removes metal-bearing rock from the bearing rock from the

Earth’s crust.Earth’s crust.

Metals-3-2Image: ASARCO, Inc.

Crushed metal-bearing rock is Crushed metal-bearing rock is ready to be processed to ready to be processed to

remove the contained metals.remove the contained metals.

Metals-3-3Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.

Facilities called mills grind crushed Facilities called mills grind crushed metal-bearing rock to small metal-bearing rock to small

particles composed of individual particles composed of individual mineral grains.mineral grains.

Metals-3-4Image: ASARCO, Inc.

After grinding, metal-bearing minerals After grinding, metal-bearing minerals are separated from other mineral are separated from other mineral

particles by attaching them to soapy particles by attaching them to soapy bubbles that float to the surface of bubbles that float to the surface of

agitated vats.agitated vats.

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Images: ASARCO, Inc.

In some rocks, metals can be In some rocks, metals can be separated by percolating solutions separated by percolating solutions

through them that dissolve the through them that dissolve the contained metals (leaching). Gold is contained metals (leaching). Gold is

commonly recovered this way.commonly recovered this way.

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Facilities called smelters melt Facilities called smelters melt metal-bearing minerals in ways metal-bearing minerals in ways that separate the metals from that separate the metals from

impurities.impurities.

Metals-3-7Image: Martin Miller

The molten metal recovered at The molten metal recovered at smelters is poured into molds and smelters is poured into molds and

allowed to solidify. This metal is then allowed to solidify. This metal is then ready for refining and fabrication into ready for refining and fabrication into

things we need.things we need.

Metals-3-8Image: Martin Miller