May 24 2014
An orebody is the natural concentration of valuable mineral that can be extracted and sold at a profit. An ore body consists of minerals, composed of metals, that can be extracted by mining processes.
The grade or concentration of the ore and its occurrence bears an effect on the cost associated with mining. Profitability calculations must take into consideration extraction costs, labor costs, and energy costs. These parameters are different in different countries.
Before mining, the metal value contained in the ore body and the grade of the ore are to be determined, in order to decide the economic viability of mining. Metal ore bodies are generally sulfides, oxides, silicates or, in some cases, native metals.
Ore bodies are formed by geological processes called ore genesis. Ore genesis processes may be one of these three types: magmatic, hydrothermal, or metamorphic.
In some cases, surficial processes, executed by the environment, also result in ore genesis.
References
- Principles of Mining – Virginia Tech
- Mineral Resources – Tulane University