Question

Which one of the following is correct?
A. A mineral cannot be an ore
B. An ore cannot be a mineral
C. All minerals are ores
D. All ores are minerals

Answer 1

Hint: Mineral and ore are two natural materials. The main source of ore and mineral is the earth. Metals and their components are found in minerals. The ore is the mineral from which metals can be extracted conventionally and cheaply.

Complete step by step answer:
In the case of the ore, the percentage of metal is greater than other minerals. For example, the ore of aluminum is bauxite. From bauxite, aluminum can be extracted cheaply and profitably. But aluminum is also found in clay, but it is not possible to extract aluminum from clay cheaply and profitably. That is why bauxite is the ore of aluminum.
In the same way, the main copper sulfide minerals are chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite, tetrahedrite, and enargite. But Chalcopyrite (copper pyrite) is a sulfide mineral with formula $CuFe{S_2}$. It is the most important copper ore. It is a sulfide mineral, a member of iron (2 + ) sulfides, and a copper sulfide.
Therefore, all ores are mineral, but all minerals are not ore, because from ore the metals can be extracted in a cheap and conventional way with a greater amount.

Therefore the correct option is D.

Note:
Pyrite which is a sulfide mineral composed of iron and Sulphur is a major contamination of groundwater and streams due to acid mine drainage from sulfide mine tailings. Oxidation of pyrites releases toxic metals and metalloids such as arsenic which is poisonous for humans.