The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What's the difference between an ore mineral and other minerals, and between an ore and other kinds of rock? (B)

The main difference between ore minerals and other minerals is their composition and economic value. Ore minerals contain valuable elements that can be profitably extracted, while other minerals do not have significant economic value. For example, chalcopyrite is an ore mineral as it contains copper, whereas quartz is not an ore mineral because it does not contain any valuable elements in significant amounts. Similarly, the difference between an ore and other kinds of rock lies in the presence and economic feasibility of extracting valuable substances. An ore contains enough valuable materials that can be extracted profitably, while other kinds of rock do not contain economically valuable materials or their content is very low, making it not feasible for extraction. For example, bauxite is an ore as it contains a high concentration of aluminum, whereas sandstone is not considered an ore because it does not contain any valuable materials in significant amounts.