Ore – IGCSE Chemistry Definition
IGCSE Chemistry definition of ore: a naturally occurring rock containing enough metal compound to make extraction worthwhile. Covers examples and extraction for 0620.
Published by IGCSEChemistry.com.my
Chemistry teaching team: K. S. Tan (15+ years teaching IGCSE Chemistry) and Ms Yash (10+ years teaching IGCSE Chemistry) and Ms Kartini (15+ years teaching IGCSE Chemistry).
Mapped to Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 (2026–2028). Last updated 2026-08-19.
The concept of an ore connects directly to the reactivity series and extraction methods. Knowing which ore each metal comes from is useful background, but the examiner primarily cares about the principle: position in the reactivity series determines how the metal is extracted from its ore.
The 0620 definition
An ore is a naturally occurring rock or mineral from which a metal can be economically extracted.
The key word is “economically” — if extraction costs more than the metal is worth, the rock is not classified as an ore, even if it contains the metal.
Important ores
| Metal | Ore name | Ore composition |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | Haematite | Fe₂O₃ (iron(III) oxide) |
| Aluminium | Bauxite | Al₂O₃ (aluminium oxide) |
| Zinc | Zinc blende | ZnS (zinc sulfide) |
| Copper | Malachite / chalcopyrite | CuCO₃ / CuFeS₂ |
You are not usually required to recall the ore names, but haematite (for iron) and bauxite (for aluminium) are the two most frequently mentioned.
Extraction method depends on reactivity
| Metal position (reactivity series) | Extraction method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Above carbon (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al) | Electrolysis | Carbon is not reactive enough to reduce the oxide |
| Below carbon (Zn, Fe, Cu) | Reduction with carbon or CO | Carbon reduces the metal oxide |
| Very unreactive (Au, Ag) | Found native / physical separation | Already exist as the free element |
Extraction of iron: the blast furnace
The most detailed extraction you must know is iron from haematite. The key reduction equation:
Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂
Carbon monoxide (produced from coke) acts as the reducing agent.
Worked exam question
Iron is extracted from its ore, haematite. (a) State the chemical name of haematite. [1] (b) State the extraction method used and explain why this method works. [2]
Mark scheme
(a) Iron(III) oxide [1]
(b) Reduction with carbon / carbon monoxide [1]; iron is below carbon in the reactivity series, so carbon can reduce the iron oxide [1]
Common exam mistakes
- Saying aluminium is extracted by carbon reduction — aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series, so electrolysis must be used.
- Defining an ore simply as “a rock containing metal” without the economic element — the word “economically” is important.
- Confusing the ore with the metal — haematite is the ore (Fe₂O₃), iron is the metal extracted from it.
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